Oshi Casino Player Support: Free Confidential Help
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ConnexOntario is there when you need it
An overview of ConnexOntario and the wider safer gambling network in Canada, including the ConnexOntario Helpline, Canada Safety Council and Provincial Self-Exclusion.
→ Visit connexontario.caWhere you can turn
ConnexOntario Helpline
Free, confidential support 24/7 on 1-866-531-2600, run by ConnexOntario advisers.
Provincial Self-Exclusion
Free self-exclusion scheme covering every Canadian-friendly online gambling site.
Canada Safety Council
Independent charity funding treatment and prevention services across Canada.
Gamban
Blocking software that prevents access to thousands of gambling sites and apps.
How the main Canadian safer gambling services compare
| ConnexOntario | Provincial Self-Exclusion | Canada Safety Council | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free of charge | |||
| Self-exclusion | - | - | |
| One-to-one counselling | - | ||
| Operates 24/7 | |||
| Information for friends and family | - |
24/7
Helpline hours
Free
All services
1-866-531-2600
Helpline
Provincial Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion
What ConnexOntario actually does
ConnexOntario is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms in Canada. The charity runs the ConnexOntario Helpline, available around the clock on 1-866-531-2600, alongside a live chat service and a network of trained advisers. Conversations are confidential, free of charge and open to anyone, whether you are worried about your own gambling or about someone close to you.
Beyond the helpline, ConnexOntario offers structured treatment through a national network of partners. That includes one-to-one counselling, group programmes and family support. You do not need a referral to get started; you can self-refer at any time through connexontario.ca or by ringing the helpline. The first conversation is simply about listening and helping you work out what kind of support fits your situation best.
Provincial Self-Exclusion for self-exclusion
Provincial Self-Exclusion is the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Canada. Every operator licensed by the Canadian gambling regulators has to participate, so a single registration blocks you across every Canadian-friendly site for the period you choose. You can sign up for six months, one year or five years through responsiblegambling.org, using your name, date of birth, address and email.
Once you are registered, attempts to open new accounts or to log into existing ones at Canadian-friendly operators are blocked automatically. Provincial Self-Exclusion is free, run independently and operates alongside any in-account tools your individual operator offers. It is one of the most decisive single steps you can take if you want a hard break from online gambling.
Canada Safety Council and treatment funding
The Canada Safety Council is an independent body that supports prevention and education on gambling harms across Canada. Provincial health authorities, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario, fund and deliver clinical treatment programmes. Information about the risks of gambling and where to find help is available in plain Canadian English and confidential help remains free at the point of use.
Blocking software like Gamban
Software such as Gamban and BetBlocker complements Provincial Self-Exclusion by blocking gambling websites and apps on the device level. Once installed, the software is difficult to remove, which is the point. It works on phones, tablets and computers, and covers tens of thousands of gambling sites worldwide. For many people, layering blocking software on top of Provincial Self-Exclusion creates a much more robust safety net than relying on a single tool.
Calling the helpline is the hardest part. After that, the adviser does all the heavy lifting and walks you through what comes next.
ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario Helpline
When should I contact ConnexOntario?
Reach out as soon as gambling starts taking up more of your time, money or thoughts than you are comfortable with. Common warning signs include spending more than you planned, chasing losses, borrowing to gamble, hiding gambling from friends or family, and feeling restless when you cannot play. You do not need to wait for a crisis to call; the helpline is there for early conversations too.
The first call is free, anonymous if you prefer, and there is no commitment to follow any particular path afterwards. Advisers will listen, ask a few questions to understand your situation and outline the options that might help, from simple self-help tools through to full treatment programmes.
How does Provincial Self-Exclusion differ from the in-account self-exclusion tool?
The in-account self-exclusion at Oshi Casino only covers this single operator and lasts for the period you choose, from 24 hours upwards. Provincial Self-Exclusion, by contrast, blocks every gambling website and app licensed by the Canadian gambling regulators for a minimum of six months. Once you register, you are excluded from new sign-ups and existing accounts across the whole Canadian-friendly market.
Many people use both. The in-account tool is great for a short break, while Provincial Self-Exclusion is the right choice when you want a longer, system-wide pause that takes the decision out of any single operator's hands.
Is help available for friends and family?
Yes. ConnexOntario and the Canada Safety Council both offer dedicated information and support for people affected by someone else's gambling. The helpline, live chat and structured programmes are open to partners, parents, children and friends. Sessions can take place individually or jointly with the person who gambles, depending on what is helpful.
Practical guidance covers how to start the conversation, how to protect household finances and how to look after your own wellbeing. The general advice is to be open without being accusatory, to avoid ultimatums and to encourage rather than push the other person towards professional support.
Does it cost anything to use these services?
The ConnexOntario Helpline, ConnexOntario's live chat, structured counselling commissioned by ConnexOntario, Provincial Self-Exclusion self-exclusion and Canada Safety Council's information are all free at the point of use. Funding comes from independent sources including the gambling industry's regulatory settlements, charitable donations and government investment, but the services remain confidential and independent of any individual operator.
Blocking software such as Gamban carries a small annual licence fee, usually under C$30 a year. Even there, ConnexOntario and many treatment providers can issue free licences to people in treatment. If cost is a barrier, mention it during your first conversation with the helpline; there is almost always a route to free support.
Take the first step today
Call 1-866-531-2600 free of charge, or chat with an adviser at connexontario.ca.