Responsible Gaming

At PokerStars we strive to assist and protect players who are at risk of the potential negative effects of gambling.

Through a number of means, including self-exclusion tools, guidance on responsible gaming, risk identification and player verification we are helping customers keep in control of their gaming so they can enjoy playing.

We believe in educating our players to empower them through knowledge, which is why we have a number of helpful tools to ensure that playing time is always enjoyable.

What we can do to help you

• Age verification
• Self-exclusion

What you can do to help yourself

• Setting limits
• Need help, advice or counselling

Any underage player who has provided dishonest or inaccurate information regarding their true age may have all winnings forfeited and could face criminal prosecution.

• Every person signing up for a new account must check a box that indicates that they are at least 19 years of age. This notifies everybody that we don’t accept players under 19.
• When a player creates an account with us, we collect their name, address, and birth date to confirm that the player is at least 19 years old.
• We do not target underage players with our marketing and advertising. It is neither good business nor consistent with our personal and corporate values to attract underage players.

We provide you with the ability to exclude yourself from playing for various periods of time.

To do this, go to the main lobby of the desktop software, select ‘More’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’ > ‘Exclude me from playing’ ⁱ. On mobile, go to ‘Account’ > ‘Responsible Gaming Settings’. On the website, login then go to ‘Account’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’.

Self-exclude your Stars Account

Please note that all self-exclusions and time outs are irreversible for the duration of the specified time. In addition, all self-exclusion periods are inclusive of all games. Your self-exclusion will apply to your Stars Account, and to any product that requires your username to play, and covers both real money and play money activity.

If you choose to play online, there are some general guidelines that can help make your playing experience safer, and reduce the risk of problems occurring:

1. Play for entertainment, and not as a way of making money.
2. Play with money that you can afford to lose. Never use money that you need for important things such as food, rent, bills, or tuition.
3. Set deposit limits and ensure you never deposit more than you can afford to lose.
4. Never chase losses. If you lose money, don't play higher stakes to try and recoup your losses.
5. Don't play when you are upset, tired, or depressed. It is difficult to make good decisions when you are feeling down.
6. Balance your playing with other activities. Find other forms of entertainment so playing does not become too big a part of your life.

If you believe that playing games might be a hindrance to your life rather than a form of entertainment, we want to help you. First, please review the following questions:

1. Have you ever taken time from your major daily obligations because of playing?
2. Has playing caused you to neglect your own welfare or that of your family?
3. Have you ever sold anything or borrowed money to finance your playing?
4. Have you often played until your last cash was gone?
5. Have you ever played longer than you had planned?
6. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your playing?

If you answered “Yes” to several of these questions, we encourage you to visit Connex Ontario or Gamblers Anonymous.

You can take the test in its entirety at one of the following websites:

www.connexontario.ca/problem-gambling-quiz

www.gamblingtherapy.org/information/do-i-have-a-gambling-problem

We offer you the option to set different Responsible Gaming limits to help you play responsibly. You can set these limits by following these instructions, depending on how you are accessing our services:

• Website

Log in and go to ‘Account’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’

• Desktop Client

Log in and select ‘More’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’ ⁱ

• Mobile App

After logging in go to ‘Account’ > ‘Responsible Gaming Settings’

Set limits on your real money deposits and purchases

We believe that you should be allowed to manage your own budget for playing online. We allow you to restrict your own weekly real money deposit limits. Of course, those limits may be no higher than the ones we already have for your account.

Set deposit limits

Restricting cash game table limits, tournament limits, casino games and sports betting

Setting table limits and poker tournament limits provides individual players with an opportunity to control their spending by limiting themselves from playing certain table limit stakes, as well as tournament buy in limits.

Set game limits

You can also block yourself from individual casino games using the same menu located in ‘Tools’. There is also the option to block yourself from sports betting within this menu.

And you can also login to your account through our website. From the ‘Account’ menu, you can access our responsible gaming tools.

If you want any restriction in place permanently or for a designated time, please visit our Help Center to find out ways to contact us with your request.

Set limits on your losses

You can limit the net loss of funds you can incur per calendar day, week or month. This feature can help you to better manage your experience while gambling online. To choose this option, please select 'Restrict Accumulative Loss Limit' in the software, mobile app or on the website.

Once the limit has been set up (daily, weekly or monthly), it will take into consideration all wagers made during the past 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days (depending on the limit you choose).

When you have reached the limit, you won't be able to play again until the limit resets. If you are playing in an active tournament, it won't be affected, but you won't be able to use add-ons/rebuys.

Restricting withdrawal cancelation

You have the option to restrict yourself from cancelling your withdrawals once they have been requested. You can apply this by going to the main lobby in our desktop client and selecting ‘More’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Responsible Gaming’ > ‘Restrict Withdrawal Cancellation’ ⁱ.

If you activate this feature, you will disable your ability to cancel pending withdrawals on your account and we will not cancel your withdrawals at your request. This restriction is permanent and it will not be possible to restore your ability to cancel your withdrawals once you have activated it.

Set withdrawal cancellation restriction

We believe players should play for fun and entertainment. But some players who engage in recreational gambling do not believe they could become addicted, and sometimes hold onto false beliefs or myths about problem gambling that can lead to denial and other problems. Some of the more common myths are listed below. Click ‘More’ to read on.

If you feel you might have a gambling problem, and seek further advice or counselling, you can visit these web sites:

• Connex Ontario
  1-866-531-2600 | Email | Chat (call, email, or web chat 24/7 from anywhere in Ontario)
• Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (CAMH Self-Help Gambling Tools)
• GamblingTherapy (World Wide)