Eight things to check before your first deposit
Before your first deposit, run eight checks: the registry, the minimum age, your limits, self-exclusion, how you will pay, the withdrawal terms, support, and a help line. As of 2026-11-13, each check below has a fail sign. If a check fails, do not deposit until you have an answer from the operator or the regulator.
Checked by the editorial team on
- 4 min read
- 9 sections
- 1 table
- 6 FAQ
The eight checks
| No. | Check | Where to look | Fail looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registry | iGaming Ontario registry (ON); AiGC list (AB); public platform (BC, QC, MB) | Brand or domain not found on the day you check |
| 2 | Minimum age | 19+ in ON and BC; 18+ in AB, MB and QC | You are under the age for your province |
| 3 | Limits | Operator's responsible-gambling page; Standard 2.23 in ON | No deposit, loss or time limit described |
| 4 | Self-exclusion | BetGuard (ON); selfexclusion.ca (AB); operator programmes | No link to the programme of your province |
| 5 | How you pay | Operator's payment page, for example whether Interac e-Transfer is listed | A method you do not control or cannot reverse in your own bank |
| 6 | Withdrawal terms | Operator's withdrawal terms; times are the operator's claims | No stated minimums, fees or steps |
| 7 | Support | Operator's contact page | No way to reach support before you pay |
| 8 | Help line | Help lines by province | You do not know the number for your province |
Short answer: do not pay in until all eight checks pass, and note any that fail.
Checks one and two: registry and age
You must be physically in the province to bet, and the brand must be registered there. Checking a sportsbook's registration in five steps walks through the search.
For Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada and the territories, our sources do not confirm the age or the rules for online sports betting as of 2026-11-13. Treat those as unconfirmed.
Checks three and four: limits and self-exclusion
In Ontario (ON), limits are offered at registration under AGCO Standard 2.23. Read what the operator describes before you deposit, and set them first.
For self-exclusion, Ontario uses BetGuard, with terms of six months, one year or five years. Alberta (AB) uses selfexclusion.ca. Limits, breaks and self-exclusion, step by step shows both.
Checks five and six: paying and withdrawing
In Ontario, a deposit must be authorized through a financial services provider, and cryptocurrency is not accepted (Standard 5.69). Credit and referral to lenders are banned (Standard 5.74).
An operator lists the payment methods it accepts. We have not yet recorded them for any operator, so the dated table is on Payment methods by sportsbook. Withdrawal times that an operator states are its own claims, and we mark them as such.
Checks seven and eight: support and help lines
Find the operator's contact page before you pay. Then save the help line for your province.
- Ontario: ConnexOntario, 1-866-531-2600, text 247247.
- British Columbia: Gambling Support BC, 1-888-795-6111.
- Québec: Jeu : aide et référence, 1 800 461-0140.
- Alberta: call 211.
We have no confirmed help-line number for Manitoba as of 2026-11-13. Need help? See help lines by province.
How we checked
- We took ages, standards and help lines from the official pages listed in our reference notes dated 2026-11-06.
- We wrote each check with a visible fail sign.
- We recorded no operator-specific facts, because none have been read yet.
Sources
- iGaming Ontario registry and Alberta AiGC list
- AGCO: Standards 2.23, 5.69 and 5.74.
- BetGuard and selfexclusion.ca
- ConnexOntario, Gambling Support BC, Jeu : aide et référence and 211 Alberta: official pages.
What changed
- : page created.
Before you bet
19+ in Ontario and British Columbia; 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec. Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly.
FAQ
What is the first check before a deposit?
Find the brand in the registry of your province on the day you sign up. In Ontario, use the iGaming Ontario registry. In Alberta, use the AiGC list. In British Columbia, Québec and Manitoba, use the public platform of the province.
What is the minimum age?
19 in Ontario and British Columbia, and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec. For Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada, our sources do not confirm the age for online sports betting.
Can I set a deposit limit at sign-up?
In Ontario, AGCO Standard 2.23 means limits are offered at registration. Check that the operator's page describes deposit, loss and time limits before you pay anything in.
How do I exclude myself from betting?
In Ontario, BetGuard, which started on 2026-05-14, covers registered sites, with terms of six months, one year or five years. In Alberta, use selfexclusion.ca. Operators also run their own programmes.
Can I deposit with cryptocurrency or on credit in Ontario?
According to the AGCO standards in our reference notes, a deposit in Ontario must be authorized through a financial services provider and cryptocurrency is not accepted (Standard 5.69), and credit or referral to lenders is banned (Standard 5.74).
Who do I call if gambling stops feeling under control?
In Ontario, ConnexOntario on 1-866-531-2600 or text 247247. In British Columbia, Gambling Support BC on 1-888-795-6111. In Québec, Jeu : aide et référence on 1 800 461-0140. In Alberta, call 211.