Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming is the conscious practice of enjoying casino entertainment while maintaining personal control and awareness of risks. At great-blue-heron-casino, operated exclusively via great-blue-heron-ca.com, we are committed to supporting players in making informed, healthy choices and provide comprehensive resources to ensure gaming remains a positive experience. Our team is dedicated to assisting you with any concerns related to responsible gambling.

Risk Awareness

OBSERVE: Gambling can be an enjoyable pastime but may lead to problematic behaviors if caution is not exercised. Recognizing early signs of risk is a vital part of self-protection and regulatory compliance under Canadian (CA) law, including AGCO and Responsible Gambling Council guidelines.

EXPAND: The following may indicate increased risk of gambling-related harm:

• Frequent, escalating bets: Increasing the time or money spent on gaming to chase losses or excitement.
• Preoccupation with gambling: Thinking about casino games outside of gaming sessions, neglecting other life activities or responsibilities.
• Borrowing to gamble: Using credit or loans specifically to fund bets or recover losses.
• Emotional distress: Experiencing frustration, anxiety, or irritability when unable to gamble.
• Concealing activity: Hiding gambling from family, friends, or colleagues.

REFLECT: If you recognize any of these behaviors in yourself, consider the following self-assessment:

• Do I spend more time or money on gambling than intended?
• Have I tried to cut back on gambling but been unsuccessful?
• Do I feel restless or irritable when attempting to stop?
• Have I neglected work, school, or family due to gambling?
• Do I borrow money or sell possessions to finance gambling?

If you answer "yes" to one or more, we strongly recommend using the support resources below and considering self-protection tools provided by great-blue-heron-casino.

Limits & Tools

OBSERVE: Setting personal gaming limits is a legal and ethical best practice, supporting CA regulatory requirements and industry standards.

EXPAND: At great-blue-heron-casino via great-blue-heron-ca.com, you can manage your gaming by configuring the following limits in your personal account:

• Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly maximum deposit amounts to control your spending. Navigate to the Responsible Gaming section within your account dashboard, select Deposit Limits, and enter your chosen maximums for each period. Confirm your selections to activate limits immediately. Limits cannot be increased until a 24-hour cooling-off period has elapsed.
• Session Time Limits: Use session timers to receive notifications or automatic logouts when your chosen play duration is reached. Access Time Management under your profile settings, and specify session times (e.g., 60, 120, or 180 minutes).
• Time-Out (Short Breaks): To temporarily pause gaming, select the Time-Out option in your account. Choose a break period between 24 and 72 hours. During this time, account access and gameplay will be suspended. To initiate, confirm your selection and await system confirmation via email.

REFLECT: These tools are designed to empower player control and satisfy regulatory obligations under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) standards. For further guidance, refer to PlaySmart or Responsible Gambling Council.

Self-Exclusion

OBSERVE: Self-exclusion is a formal process that allows players to restrict their own access to gaming activities for a defined period, as required by CA law and AGCO frameworks.

1. Access Self-Exclusion: Log in to your account on great-blue-heron-ca.com, navigate to Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Self-Exclusion.
2. Select Exclusion Period: Choose a temporary (minimum 6 months) or permanent (lifetime) exclusion. Options are clearly presented for selection.
3. Confirm Decision: Carefully review the consequences. Confirm your choice by following on-screen prompts and, if required, verify by email.
4. Receive Support Information: Upon confirmation, you will receive an email with information on support resources and a summary of your self-exclusion terms.

• Consequences: During self-exclusion, you cannot log in to your account, access gaming services, or request withdrawals. Any remaining balance will be refunded in accordance with our withdrawal policy and CA legal requirements, subject to identity verification and the terms of self-exclusion.

Support Contacts: If you require assistance or wish to discuss your options confidentially, please email support@great-blue-heron-ca.com or visit OLG Responsible Gambling.

REFLECT: Self-exclusion is an essential protective tool and is compliant with AGCO and RGC requirements. For additional guidance, consider reaching out to provincial self-exclusion programs or third-party support organizations listed below.

Support Resources

OBSERVE: Access to professional, confidential support is mandated by CA law and industry best practices. Localized and international resources are provided for comprehensive assistance.

Local Support (Canada)

• ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (24/7, English & French) - Free, confidential helpline for problem gambling, available across Ontario. connexontario.ca
• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC): 1-888-391-1111 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm EST, English) - Information and referrals. responsiblegambling.org
• PlaySmart Centre: Onsite support at great-blue-heron-casino and online via playsmart.ca

International Support Organizations

Self-Exclusion Schemes & Blocking Tools

• GamStop (UK): gamstop.co.uk - National online self-exclusion.
• RGIAJ (Spain): ordenacionjuego.es/en/rgiaj - Government exclusion registry.
• Gamban, BetBlocker: Software applications to block gambling sites/apps on personal devices. gamban.com, betblocker.org

Family & Friends Support

• Gam-Anon: Family support meetings and resources. gam-anon.org
• ConnexOntario Family Support: 1-866-531-2600

Confidentiality Notice: All support services maintain strict confidentiality. Professional help is available at all times to protect your privacy and well-being.

Help for Family

OBSERVE: Family members can be significantly affected by gambling-related harm and require guidance and support.

• Initiate Open Dialogue: Approach the individual with empathy, express concern without judgment, and focus on observed behaviors rather than accusations.
• Encourage Professional Help: Suggest contacting confidential support services such as ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) or joining family-focused groups like Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org).
• Leverage Online Resources: Visit forums and support chats through Responsible Gambling Council for peer advice and information.
• Recommend Next Steps: Seek guidance from licensed psychotherapists, utilize provincial helplines, and access educational materials at PlaySmart.

REFLECT: Family engagement is crucial for early intervention. All discussions should emphasize confidentiality and respect for the individual's dignity.

Operator's Commitment

OBSERVE: great-blue-heron-casino, under the regulatory authority of AGCO, is committed to proactive risk management through internal procedures and player support.

• Behavioral Risk Analysis: Our system monitors gameplay for patterns associated with increased risk (e.g., excessive deposits, extended sessions, rapid wager escalation).
• Automated & Manual Alerts: If risky behavior is detected, warning messages are displayed, and information on self-protection tools is provided.
• Support Intervention Conditions: If risk thresholds are met, support staff may initiate confidential contact via email to offer assistance and recommend resources.
• Regulatory Compliance: All procedures align with AGCO and Responsible Gambling Council standards, including mandatory training for all support personnel.

REFLECT: These measures are designed to safeguard player welfare and are subject to continuous review in line with evolving CA regulations and best practices.

Updates

OBSERVE: Regulatory requirements mandate timely notification of relevant changes to responsible gaming policies and tools.

• Player Notification: Any updates to this page or related responsible gaming policies will be communicated via email to registered users, and announced through banners on great-blue-heron-ca.com.
• Update Record: The last update to this responsible gaming page was on 2025-11-06.

REFLECT: Please check this page regularly or contact support for the latest information.

Contact & Feedback

OBSERVE: Direct access to responsible gaming support is a legal and ethical requirement. All contacts are processed in compliance with CA privacy laws.

• Responsible Gaming Department E-mail: support@great-blue-heron-ca.com
• General Enquiries: info@great-blue-heron-ca.com
• Mailing Address: 21777 Island Road, Port Perry, Ontario, L9L 1B6, Canada

For feedback, self-control requests, or support, please contact us by email. If a web form is required for your request, our support team will provide a secure link in response to your email.

REFLECT: All communications are handled confidentially and in accordance with AGCO, RGC, and Canadian privacy legislation. For further information, visit greatblueheroncasino.com or greatcanadian.com.