At Painted Hand Casino, responsible gaming is treated as a formal operational requirement. This document sets out the framework applied to protect players, the tools made available to users, the obligations imposed on the operator, and the standards governing responsible gaming practices in Canada.
1. Scope and Purpose
This policy applies to all individuals who access gaming services through Painted Hand Casino. It establishes minimum standards to identify, prevent, and reduce gambling-related harm. These standards align with Canadian provincial regulatory requirements and, where applicable, with independent accreditation criteria such as those defined under the RG Check program developed by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), an independent non-profit organization operating at the national level in Canada.
The purpose of this document is to inform players of their rights, describe the available tools, and define the responsibilities of the licensed operator.
2. Regulatory Framework
Gambling regulation in Canada is administered at the provincial and territorial level. Painted Hand Casino operates in compliance with the applicable regulatory authority governing the jurisdiction in which it is licensed. Responsible gaming obligations imposed by provincial regulators form the baseline of this policy.
In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) publishes the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming, which include responsible gambling requirements related to advertising restrictions, player protection tools, game design standards, and operator obligations to identify and respond to at-risk behaviour. iGaming Ontario (iGO) additionally requires that registered internet gaming operators obtain RG Check accreditation as part of consumer protection obligations.
In Alberta, the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) has made RG Check accreditation mandatory for all internet gaming sites operating in the regulated provincial market. Operators must maintain accreditation in good standing for the duration of their operation.
In British Columbia, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) publishes Responsible Gambling Standards that are mandatory for all service providers operating under its framework.
Painted Hand Casino adheres to the standards applicable in the jurisdiction where its operating authorization has been issued.
3. Player Protection Tools
The platform provides the following tools to all registered players. These tools are accessible at any time through account settings or by contacting the support team.
3.1 Deposit, Loss, and Time Limits
Players may set limits on the amount deposited, the amount lost, and the time spent on the platform within a defined period. Limits take effect immediately when set. Requests to increase an existing limit are subject to a mandatory cooling-off period before the change becomes active. Requests to decrease a limit take effect without delay.
3.2 Reality Checks
Players may activate periodic on-screen notifications that display session duration and net gaming activity. These notifications are intended to support informed decision-making during active play.
3.3 Self-Exclusion
Players may voluntarily exclude themselves from accessing Painted Hand Casino for a defined period. Self-exclusion requests are processed promptly. During an active self-exclusion period, the player’s account is suspended and access to gaming services is restricted. Players on self-exclusion are removed from direct marketing lists and are not eligible to receive promotional communications.
Self-exclusion programs in Canada are typically administered at the provincial level. Where applicable, self-exclusion lists are shared across licensed operators within the same jurisdiction. Players seeking province-wide exclusion should contact the relevant provincial gaming authority directly.
3.4 Account Closure
Players may request permanent account closure at any time. This measure is distinct from self-exclusion and results in the termination of the account relationship. Requests for permanent closure are processed in accordance with the platform’s account management procedures.
4. Advertising and Marketing Restrictions
Painted Hand Casino does not direct advertising or promotional materials toward individuals who are self-excluded, underage, or otherwise identified as vulnerable. Marketing practices comply with provincial standards that prohibit misleading representations about odds or outcomes and prohibit portraying gambling as a solution to financial difficulty.
The platform does not use game design features or marketing communications that are intended to encourage excessive or harmful gambling behaviour.
5. Operator Obligations
Under this policy, the operator maintains the following obligations:
- Implementation of policies and procedures to identify players who may be at risk of gambling-related harm. Where indicators of at-risk behaviour are observed, appropriate action is taken in accordance with internal protocols and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Provision of clear and accessible information about responsible gaming tools on the platform, including links to provincial support services and helplines relevant to the player’s jurisdiction.
- Training of relevant staff to recognize signs of problem gambling and to respond appropriately when interacting with players who may require support.
- Denial of access to gaming services for individuals who are under the legal gambling age in their jurisdiction.
- Maintenance of records and procedures sufficient to demonstrate compliance with applicable responsible gaming standards.
6. Support Resources
Players who believe they may be experiencing difficulty with gambling are encouraged to use the tools described in this policy and to seek external support. Provincial resources available to Canadian players include:
- ConnexOntario (Ontario): a referral and information service covering mental health and addiction support, including problem gambling.
- GameSense (British Columbia and other jurisdictions): a player education program operated by BCLC providing information on safer gambling practices.
- PlaySmart (Ontario): an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation program providing player education and responsible gaming information.
Provincial health and addiction services in each province also provide free or publicly funded counseling and treatment for problem gambling. Contact details for these services are available through the relevant provincial health authority or gaming regulator.
7. Minors
Access to gaming services through Painted Hand Casino is restricted to individuals who meet the minimum legal age requirement in their jurisdiction. Age verification procedures are applied at registration to confirm player age. The platform does not knowingly permit minors to open or use accounts. If it is identified that an account has been opened by or on behalf of a minor, the account will be closed immediately and any funds will be handled in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
8. Policy Updates
This policy is reviewed periodically to reflect changes in applicable regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and evidence-based best practices in responsible gaming. Players are encouraged to review this document regularly. Material changes will be communicated through the platform’s standard notification procedures.
For questions about this policy or to request access to any of the tools described above, players may contact the support team through the contact details provided on the website.