Play Responsibly

What is a Social Game?

VancouverBay is a social game — a free digital entertainment product that uses virtual credits with no monetary value. It is not a gambling product. You cannot deposit real money, win real money, or receive any prize or reward of monetary value. Virtual credits cannot be transferred, sold, or withdrawn.

The visual format is inspired by traditional play-game aesthetics because these formats are visually engaging and familiar. However, the underlying mechanics do not involve any financial risk. The outcomes are generated by a random number generator that cannot be influenced, predicted, or exploited.

Why We Still Talk About Responsible Play

Even without real money, some people can develop unhealthy relationships with digital entertainment. Patterns such as using games to escape difficult emotions, spending more time than intended on a game, or feeling irritable when you cannot play can develop with any form of entertainment — not just products that involve money.

We include this page not because VancouverBay presents the same risks as real-money gaming, but because we believe responsible engagement is a conversation worth having regardless of the format.

Self-Check: Healthy Play Questions

Take a moment to reflect honestly on the following questions. These are not a clinical diagnostic tool, but they can help you notice whether your relationship with any digital entertainment is in a healthy place.

• Do you play primarily for relaxation and enjoyment, rather than to cope with stress, anxiety, or boredom?
• Can you stop playing whenever you choose, without feeling restless or anxious?
• Does your time playing digital games fit comfortably within your daily responsibilities?
• Are you able to go a day or more without playing without it affecting your mood?
• Do you feel in control of how much time you spend on digital entertainment?
• Is the time you spend on digital games not impacting your relationships, work, or health?

If you answered “no” to one or more of these questions, it may be worth taking a break and speaking to someone you trust, or reaching out to one of the organisations listed below.

Warning Signs to Watch For

The following signs may indicate that any form of gaming or digital entertainment is no longer serving you well:

• Spending more time than you planned on games, repeatedly;
• Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when you are not able to play;
• Using games primarily to escape problems or negative emotions;
• Lying to others about how much time you spend playing;
• Neglecting personal relationships, work, or physical health due to game time;
• Continuing to play despite recognising that it is causing problems;
• Feeling that you need to play for increasingly longer periods to feel the same level of enjoyment.

These warning signs apply to any digital activity. Recognising them early is an act of self-care, not weakness.

Help Organisations

The following organisations provide free, confidential support in Canada. Although they focus primarily on real-money gaming, their counsellors are equipped to discuss any form of problematic entertainment behaviour.

Setting Your Own Limits

VancouverBay does not currently offer a built-in session time limit, but you can set your own limits easily. We recommend:

• Decide before you start how long you plan to play;
• Set a phone timer as a reminder;
• Take regular breaks — at least 10 minutes every hour;
• Avoid playing when you are tired, upset, or under the influence of alcohol.

If you find it difficult to stop after your planned time, that is a signal worth paying attention to. Take a break and speak to someone you trust.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about responsible play on VancouverBay, please reach out to us directly. We read every message and take responsible play seriously.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (604) 273-9154
Address: 1850 Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6R 1E8, Canada