How to Use Game Sense to Play Lotteries in Canada

Game Sense is an important responsible-gaming initiative launched by BCLC and adopted by lotteries like Atlantic Lottery—to help players understand games, manage play, and stay in control

It is not only in Canada but Game Sense can be found in several jurisdictions throughout North America and Canada including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and across the suite of gaming facilities operated by MGM Resorts International.

Launched in 2009, Game Sense aims to improve player trust, awareness and education using research-based guidelines and best practices. Game Sense has earned international recognition including the U.S.-based National Council on Problem Gambling’s Social Responsibility Award in 2015.

What is Game Sense?

Game Sense is a program administered by BCLC to help keep gambling a safe, fun source of entertainment. It provides players a wisdom to play responsibly. If you’re going to gamble, you should understand the games you want to play.

As Lotteries take many forms, but most involve a random draw of numbers. If your numbers match the randomly selected numbers, you win. The more of your numbers that match the ones drawn, the bigger the prize you win.

The odds of winning a lottery vary wildly, as do the price of a ticket and the prizes. The odds may depend on how many tickets have been purchased—by you and by other people and how many numbers you need to match. Generally speaking, the odds of winning the top prize are very low, even in comparison to other types of gambling.

What does Game Sense Provide?

• Education on how lotteries work, odds, randomness, and prize structures.
• Tools like self-tests, tips, and quizzes to promote informed, responsible play
• Guidance on setting limits, taking breaks, and seeking help if play becomes harmful.

Let’s take the example of a fairly common lottery, a draw of six numbers between one and 49. The odds of winning the jackpot, which requires you to match all six numbers, are 1 in 13,983,816. And that’s not all. Even if you win, if more than one person also matches all six numbers, you split the jackpot, reducing your share.

But prizes are awarded if you match only a portion of the numbers drawn, right? 

Yes, but the odds of matching five out of six numbers—1 in 55,492—aren’t exactly great. And in many cases the prize for matching five numbers is small, often only a few hundred dollars, compared to millions of dollars for the jackpot.

Why to use Game Sense when Playing Lottery

Lotteries Are Games Of Chance	Use Game Sense
There is nothing you can do to improve your odds of winning the lottery. The lottery is purely chance based. There are no special skills you can acquire to become better at picking numbers, or winning, apart from buying more tickets.	Use GameSense materials (in-app or online) to understand odds: e.g., Lotto 6/49 jackpot odds (1 in 13,983,816), smaller odds for lower-tier prizes. Knowing this helps set realistic expectations. Thus research the rules of the games you like to play, find out the odds of winning, and use that information to make the right choices for you.
Quick Picks don’t improve your odds of winning. Using the Quick Pick option, where the numbers are randomly chosen for you, doesn’t improve your odds of winning—and it doesn’t make them worse. Every number has an equal chance of being drawn, whether you pick it or a computer picks it for you.	Opt for regional games like Keno Atlantic, Bucko, or Hit or Miss; they offer simpler play and quicker results compared to national draws.
Don’t play everytime or choose to chase your loss in hope of winning.	GameSense advises pausing, reflecting, or using the self-assessment tools to check in with yourself and to stop playing.

Above that many players think that in lotteries, choosing a combination of numbers that few otherpeople would pick does not improve the odds that your numbers will come up. However, if no one else has picked the same numbers as you, you won’t have to split the winnings with other people.

So does picking the same numbers each week doesn’t improve your odds of winning. It doesn’t make them worse either. Each time the numbers are drawn, there is the same chance they will come up as last time.

 Gamesense makes you help yourself and others. If you think that someone you love is suffering from a gambling problem, these resources can help you figure out what’s best to do and give you further information on how you can help.

Take Gamesense quiz to analyze your gambling habits and see where you fall on the spectrum of healthy play. Also if you’re gambling more often than you think you should, you might want to consider  Voluntary Self-Exclusion program.

How to set a limit to lottery using Game Sense tools?

There are three tools that help you manage your play using game sense.

• Budget your money by keeping the game fun by setting a weekly deposit limit.
• Set a time limit: It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re having fun. Set session reminders and a maximum amount on your playing time.
• Take a small break: Sometimes you just need to rest up for a bit. You can take a break by locking your account anywhere from 24 hours up to 14 days.

To set a weekly limit you need to follow the steps:

• In the My Account menu, click on My Budgets
• Under Budget tools in the Weekly Deposit limit section, click “Edit Limit”.
• Set your limit and click on “Set Limit”.
• Confirm your limit.

To set a limit on your playing time

• In the My Account menu, click on My Budgets
• Under Time Management Tools in the Set a Max on your Playing Time section, select daily or weekly.
• Drag the slider to set the time.
• Click Set Limit.
• Confirm your limit.

To set a short-term account lockout

• In the My Account menu, click on My Budgets
• Under Take a break in the Short-Term Account Lockout section, click on the field or calendar icon.
• Select the date you wish to play again.
• Click Start My Lockout.
• Confirm your lockout.

If you choose to lock yourself out for 2 days at 3:00 pm on a Tuesday, you will not be able to access Lottery site again until 3:00 pm on Thursday.

In-person or online, Game Sense Advisors are trained to give confidential advice on play habits and support resources. If you feel play is getting out of control, they can guide you to tools like self-exclusion programs.

Takeaways

Game Sense is more than just a set of tips. it’s a mindset that empowers players to enjoy lottery games responsibly and with awareness.

By helping you understand the odds, manage your spending, and recognize the signs of problematic play, Game Sense turns gambling into a more informed and balanced activity.

Whether you’re playing a scratch ticket, Lotto Max, or Keno or any other lottery or slot game in Canada, Game Sense encourages you to stay in control, play for fun, and know when to stop. It’s a valuable tool for making smart choices—and ensuring that your gaming experience stays positive, safe, and enjoyable.

In short, if you play, play smart with GameSense.

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