Core Principles
- Always cover essential expenses before spending on raffle tickets.
- Use only discretionary money you can comfortably afford to lose.
- Balance raffle participation with other hobbies, activities and time with people you care about.
- Accept that outcomes are uncertain and avoid chasing losses or trying to “win it back”.
- Take breaks if participation starts to feel urgent, stressful or difficult to control.
Possible Warning Signs
- Thinking about tickets or draws very often during the day.
- Spending more time or money on raffle tickets than you planned.
- Hiding your participation or spending from friends or family.
- Relying on future winnings as a solution for financial problems.
- Feeling anxious, restless or irritated when you try to stop or take a break.
Self-check Question
“If I stop participating for a few days or weeks, do I feel calm — or do I feel anxious and restless?”
Support Resources
If any of these warning signs feel familiar, consider taking a break and seeking support early.
Helpful resources may include the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), provincial health services, local community support organisations, or crisis support services in your province or territory.
In emergencies, contact local emergency services or a crisis line immediately.
If you are concerned
Help is available, confidential and often free.
We encourage participants to seek support early if raffle participation stops feeling like simple entertainment, or if it starts to feel stressful, urgent or difficult to control.
Resources:
Check the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), your provincial health services, or local community support organisations for helplines and online tools that can support you.
In emergencies, please contact your local emergency services or crisis lines immediately.