"Manage Your Play" brochure - Ontario Lottery and Gaming ...

knowyourlimit.ca
ManaGe Your plaY
Know
The FacTs!
Your Guide To
KeepinG loTTerY
plaY Fun.
olg.ca

Lotteries are Entertainment,
Not a Way to Make Money.
Whether it’s Jackpot games like LOTTO 6/49
or INSTANT scratch games like CASH FOR LIFE,
lottery is one of the most popular forms
of gambling in Ontario.
Ontarians find it exciting to play lottery
games. It’s fun to experience the anticipation
of winning and, of course, imagining what
you would do if you won. But before deciding
to play, it’s important to remember that these
games are for entertainment, not a way to
make money.
What are the odds of winning?
The overall odds of winning a prize, such
as a free ticket or a cash prize, vary for all
lottery games. For games such as LOTTO
6/49, your odds of winning any prize are
approximately 1 in 32, while your chance
of winning the top prize is approximately
1 in 14 million. If you play INSTANT tickets,
depending on the game, odds vary from
about 1 in 3 (for winning any prize) to about
1 in 1.2 million for winning a top prize.
Chances are that most regular lottery players
have won a small lottery prize at one time
or another. However, if you start spending
more money on lottery tickets than you can
afford, your chances of winning a big prize
are still not in your favour.
Can you improve your odds of winning?
No. Your personal strategies or lucky rituals
have no impact on the final outcome of a
game. Due to the random nature of the draw,
it’s impossible to predict what combination
of numbers will be drawn or which INSTANT
ticket will be a winner.
You cannot improve your odds by:
The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505
Playing the same numbers every week
Picking numbers more often/less often
than others in the past
Buying tickets from a store where a
winning ticket was previously sold

Where can you find out more about
lottery games, like the odds of winning?
For more detailed information about prize odds
and payouts on lottery tickets, visit OLG’s
website at olg.ca or contact the OLG Support
Centre, toll-free, at 1-800-387-0098. You can
also pick up a copy of our “How to Play OLG
Lottery Games” guide at any online lottery retailer.
How to keep lottery play fun.
Understand game odds and be realistic
about expectations for winning and losing
Remember that there is no special way to
play that will help you beat the odds
Set a reasonable limit on how much money
you are prepared to spend – and stick to it
Never spend more money than you
can afford
Understand and recognize the signs of
problem gambling
Seek help as soon as you start losing more
money than you intended or can afford
Could you be experiencing a
problem with your lottery play?
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is gambling that causes
harm to someone’s family or personal life,
work, finances or health.
Your risk of developing a gambling problem
increases if you hold certain false beliefs about
how lotteries and other forms of gambling work.
Warning Signs that Lottery
Play is a Problem:
Spending more time or money than you
planned or can afford
Borrowing money to gamble
The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505
Gambling with money meant for other
responsibilities (such as food, rent, etc.)
Neglecting important responsibilities such
as work or family to gamble
Lying about, or covering up, how much
you spend or lose
Chasing your losses to try to win your
money back
Arguments with friends and family,
especially about money issues
Owing money due to gambling
If any of these warning signs apply to you,
there are resources that can help.

How Can You Get Help?
Services are available in many communities
across Ontario for people experiencing
problems related to gambling as well as for
family or friends of problem gamblers.
For services in your area, call the Ontario
Problem Gambling Helpline (OPGH) at
1-888-230-3505 or search the OPGH’s Virtual
Treatment Directory at www.opgh.on.ca. The
helpline provides information and referral – it
is free, confidential, anonymous and available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Interpretation
is available in over 170 different languages.
If you are concerned about any of the
warning signs, help is available by calling:
The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
1-888-230-3505
Concerned about privacy?
Confidentiality of information is an essential
element in all treatment services. Personal
information will be kept confidential.
Problem gambling treatment providers are
not there to judge; they are there to help.
Other information sources:
The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505
In addition to the OPGH, you can find other
information, news, research and resources
about gambling and problem gambling on
the websites listed below. OLG provides this
brochure to support customers. Individuals
must make decisions on what is right for them,
including the choice to seek help to deal with
the effects of a potential gambling problem.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
www.problemgambling.ca
The Responsible Gambling Council
www.responsiblegambling.org
OLG
KnowYourLimit.ca
Lotteries are age-restricted products.
By law, selling lottery products to (or redeeming
lottery products for) minors is illegal and is
punishable with significant penalties. Giving
minors tickets as gifts or asking them to scratch
your tickets may give conflicting messages
about who these products are intended for.
Part of promoting responsible play is to
ensure that no one under the age of 18 years
is allowed to buy or redeem lottery products.
If you believe an OLG retailer may be selling
lottery tickets to (or redeeming lottery tickets
for) minors, please call the OLG Support
Centre, toll-free, at 1-800-387-0098
to report your concerns.

knowyourlimit.ca
OLG wants to keep customers informed about options available
should they experience problems with gambling.
For the most up-to-date information about problem gambling services
call the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-230-3505.
olg.ca