TORONTO – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will require online players under age 25 to set deposit limits as their gambling activity increases, a move the agency says is aimed at protecting a demographic shown by research to be more vulnerable to gambling‑related harm.
The measure, announced Monday, will prompt younger players to establish daily, weekly or monthly caps on how much money they can add to their accounts. The requirement is triggered when a player under 25 deposits $500 or more at one time.
“Requiring a deposit limit is not about removing choice, it’s about strengthening that choice by helping players to pause and consider what they are comfortable spending,” OLG President and CEO Duncan Hannay said in a statement. “This new measure is a practical, data‑driven step to help players under 25 build safer play habits early.”
Focus on Responsible Gambling
The change comes amid growing calls for stronger industry self‑regulation, particularly around responsible gambling for younger adults and the volume of iGaming advertising in Ontario.
Stan Cho, Ontario’s minister of tourism, culture and gaming, said the policy reflects the province’s effort to balance consumer freedom with protections for at‑risk players.
“This initiative reflects the strong collaboration between government, agencies and industry partners to strengthen player protections and ensure Ontario’s gaming market remains safe, responsible and trusted,” Cho said.
The OLG said the new requirement will also highlight its PlaySmart program, which offers tools such as spending reminders, deposit limits and voluntary time‑outs.
Rising Digital Revenues
The policy arrives as OLG’s online gambling business continues to grow. The agency reported $585 million in online casino and sports betting revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 — a 15% increase from the previous year.
OLG said the deposit‑limit requirement is intended to establish early guardrails for younger players as digital gambling becomes a larger share of the province’s gaming market.
