Responsible Gambling

1. Responsible Gambling Commitment

This Responsible Gambling page is written specifically for visitors reading about Deerfoot Inn & Casino Resort in Calgary. The goal is to make casino information safer, clearer and more balanced by reminding visitors that gambling is paid entertainment with real financial risk.

Deerfoot’s resort experience includes slots, VLTs, live table games, poker, high-limit gaming, dining, hotel stays and entertainment. Because these activities can be part of a longer visit, it is especially important to set limits before arriving and to keep gaming separate from travel, hotel, food and family budgets.

2. Legal Age and Access

Casino gaming is restricted to adults. Visitors are responsible for confirming age and identification requirements before entering any regulated gaming area. Do not gamble or attempt to enter gaming areas if you are under the legal age, do not have valid identification or are restricted by self-exclusion or another access limitation.

• Carry valid government-issued identification when visiting age-restricted areas.
• Never ask another person to gamble on your behalf.
• Do not encourage underage people to participate in gambling.
• Respect staff instructions, posted rules and responsible gaming controls.

3. Set a Budget Before You Play

Before playing slots, VLTs, tables, poker or high-limit games, decide how much money you can afford to lose without affecting rent, bills, food, savings, transportation, hotel costs or family needs. Treat that amount as the cost of entertainment, not as money you expect to recover.

Use cash or a pre-set budget where possible, avoid repeated withdrawals, and separate gambling money from other trip expenses.

4. Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Gambling can become harmful when it stops feeling like entertainment or begins affecting finances, relationships, work, sleep, mental health or personal responsibilities. Warning signs can appear gradually, especially during repeated visits, late nights, alcohol use, stressful periods or attempts to recover losses.

• Thinking about gambling constantly or planning the next session while away from the casino.
• Spending more time or money than intended.
• Borrowing money, selling items or using credit to gamble.
• Hiding gambling activity from family, friends or partners.
• Feeling anxious, angry or desperate after losses.
• Trying to win back losses with bigger or riskier bets.
• Neglecting work, studies, family obligations or health because of gambling.

5. Safer Play by Game Area

Different casino areas can create different risks. Slots and VLTs can move quickly, live tables can feel social and immersive, poker can involve long sessions, and high-limit areas can increase the pace of spending. Understanding the format before playing helps visitors make safer choices.

6. Resort Visits and Overnight Stays

Because Deerfoot Inn & Casino is also a hotel and entertainment resort, guests may combine gambling with dining, drinks, events, meetings, weddings or overnight stays. This can make it easier to spend more time on property than planned.

If you are staying overnight, decide in advance which parts of the trip are for gaming and which are for rest, dining, entertainment or family activities. Keep gaming money separate from hotel deposits, transportation and meal budgets.

7. Practical Tools for Staying in Control

Simple habits can reduce harm. You do not need to wait for gambling to become a crisis before using responsible play strategies.

• Take a break every 30–60 minutes and physically leave the game area.
• Avoid gambling when tired, upset, intoxicated or under financial stress.
• Do not use gambling as a response to loneliness, anger or anxiety.
• Bring a non-gambling friend or set a check-in time.
• Keep track of both wins and losses instead of remembering only highlights.
• Leave credit cards or extra debit cards outside the gaming budget where possible.

8. GameSense and Support Resources

The source site describes responsible gaming support through an AGLC-staffed GameSense Information Centre. GameSense-style resources are designed to help players understand odds, randomness, myths about gambling, safer play strategies and options for getting help.

If gambling feels difficult to control, consider speaking with trained support staff, using self-exclusion options, contacting local counselling services or asking a trusted person for help. Seeking support early is a responsible decision.

9. Self-Exclusion and Taking a Break

Self-exclusion and voluntary break tools may be available through regulated gaming channels. These options can help people who want a formal barrier between themselves and gambling environments. If you have self-excluded, do not attempt to enter a casino or ask someone else to gamble for you.

Taking a break can also include blocking gambling content, avoiding casino-related emails, limiting access to funds, changing travel plans and replacing casino visits with non-gambling activities.

10. When to Seek Immediate Help

If gambling has led to thoughts of self-harm, severe distress, debt crisis, family conflict or unsafe behaviour, seek immediate support from emergency services, a crisis line, a medical professional or someone you trust. Financial or gambling problems can be addressed, and help is available.

This website cannot provide counselling, emergency support or clinical advice. Its role is to encourage safer choices and direct visitors toward appropriate support.