Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) now requires some younger players to set mandatory deposit limits to help control their online gambling activity.
Certain players under 25 years old who use OLG’s online platforms must now set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap (or some combination of the three) on how much money they can add to their account. OLG Director of Media Relations Tony Bitonti told Canadian Gaming Business that players will be selected for the new mandatory deposit limits “based on their level of engagement.”
“For example, currently, after a player under 25 deposits $500 or more at one time into their account, they will be prompted to set a deposit limit,” Bitonti added.
Targeted at a vulnerable demographic
The crown corporation said in an OLG press release on June 1 that the new measure, introduced specifically for the under-25 user demographic, is designed to provide further responsible gambling support for a player group that research consistently identifies as potentially more vulnerable to gambling-related harm than other age groups.
“Evidence also shows that pre-commitment tools like deposit limits are effective in supporting safer play because they help players to pause and consider what they are comfortable spending,” added Bitonti. “This builds on that foundation by strengthening early engagement with these tools.
“The parameters for the deposit limit are consistent with deposit limits available to all OLG online players. While the deposit limits are consistent for players across OLG’s channels, what’s important here is that we’re encouraging this group of players, which research consistently identifies as potentially more vulnerable to gambling-related harm than other age groups, to pause and consider what they are comfortable depositing through mandatory deposit limits.”
More choices, more control
OLG President and CEO Duncan Hannay said in the crown corporation’s release that adding deposit limit requirements is about strengthening the choices available to players by helping them to pause and consider what they are comfortable spending.
“OLG relies on research and best practices to guide how we engage with players and respond to emerging trends,” Hannay noted. “This new measure is a practical, data-driven step to help players under 25 build safer play habits early.”
OLG already offers a range of safer gambling tools through its PlaySmart program, including optional limits as well as other controls like spending reminders and time-outs. However, the new feature takes things one step further by making periodic deposit limits mandatory for some younger gamblers.
Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho added that the initiative is part of the collaborative efforts between the provincial government and gaming industry partners to strengthen player protections in Ontario’s online gambling market. “Striking the right balance between individual choice and protecting vulnerable players is essential,” he added.
Hannay highlights OLG’s safer gambling efforts
During his opening remarks at SBC Summit Canada 2026 two weeks ago, Hannay focused on the need for modernized, tailored responsible gambling tools for Ontario gamblers, describing such initiatives as
“crucial to our industry’s future sustainability” as the province’s multi-billion-dollar iGaming market continues to evolve rapidly.
OLG recently created a new dedicated Safer Gambling team focused on data policy outreach and operations across the group’s online gambling, lottery, and land-based gaming footprint.
“Although the risks may vary across channels, the core challenge is very much the same: engaging players in a way that meaningfully supports healthier play,” added Hannay at the Toronto event in May. “OLG also recognizes that risk is not the same for every player, and that younger adults may benefit from added help as they build healthy play habits.
