Responsible Gaming Policy

Maplethrive is a free social gaming platform. There is no real money, no deposits, no payouts and no possibility of financial loss. Despite this, casino-style game mechanics — even with virtual coins — can become absorbing for some people. This policy explains how we promote healthy gaming habits and where to find help in Canada if play stops feeling like fun.

1. Our Approach

We design every game on the Platform to be obviously social and obviously free. Specific safeguards include:

• A mandatory 18+ age gate on first visit;
• A clear, repeated disclaimer on every page that virtual coins have no monetary value;
• No purchasable currency, no premium tier, no microtransactions, no advertising of real-money gambling products;
• No leaderboards, no public scores and no peer-pressure mechanics;
• A free, no-questions-asked "Refill Free Coins" button instead of any push to "buy more chips";
• Plain-language Terms of Use stating that Maplethrive is not gambling under Canadian law.

2. Warning Signs — Even in Free Play

Take a moment to honestly ask yourself the following. The more "yes" answers, the more reason to take a break:

• I play longer than I planned, on most sessions.
• I think about the games during work, study or family time.
• I feel restless, anxious or irritated when I am not playing.
• I have neglected sleep, meals or exercise to keep playing.
• I find myself imagining what it would be like to play with real money instead of virtual coins.
• I am chasing streaks, "luck" or specific outcomes rather than enjoying the mechanic itself.
• People close to me have commented on how much I play.

3. Healthy Play Tips

• Set a time limit before you start — use a kitchen timer or your phone's screen-time tool.
• Take a real break every 30 minutes: stand up, stretch, drink some water.
• Never play to escape stress, sadness, loneliness or boredom — it makes any game less fun and easier to over-do.
• Keep gaming social: tell a friend you played, share a funny round, treat it like a hobby and not a private ritual.
• Don't chase a losing streak or a "feeling" — the next round on a free social game has no bearing on the last.
• Remember the coins are virtual. They have no value. Treat them accordingly.
• Step away from any thought of "I should try this with real money". That is a clear signal to close the tab.

4. How to Take a Break

Because Maplethrive stores only local data and requires no account, you can disconnect at any time:

• Close the browser tab.
• Clear the localStorage for Maplethrive.com (browser settings → privacy → site data) to reset all virtual balances and confirmations.
• Use your browser's site-blocking feature or a parental-control tool to prevent yourself from re-visiting for a chosen period.
• Uninstall any browser shortcut to the site.

5. Protecting Minors

Maplethrive is strictly for adults. If you share a device with anyone under 18, please use your operating system's parental controls to restrict access to casino-style websites, and do not save the age-gate confirmation on a device a minor might use. The legal age of majority in Canadian provinces is 18 or 19 depending on jurisdiction; our platform requires 18+ at minimum and we recommend the local age of majority be respected.

6. Canadian Support Resources

If gaming — paid or free — starts to feel like a problem for you or someone you care about, professional, confidential help is available across Canada:

• Responsible Gambling Council — national resource hub: responsiblegambling.org
• ConnexOntario (Ontario) — 24/7 helpline: 1-866-531-2600
• British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program: 1-888-795-6111
• Alberta Health Services — Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322
• Quebec — Jeu : aide et référence: 1-800-461-0140
• Manitoba Addictions Helpline: 1-855-662-6605
• Crisis Services Canada — emotional crisis support: 1-833-456-4566

7. Our Commitment

We do not advertise real-money gambling, we do not sell user data and we do not push notifications to bring you back. We will continue to review this policy and improve our safeguards as the platform evolves.

8. Contact

If you have feedback about this policy or want to share an experience, please write to support@Maplethrive.com. Your message will be read by a member of the Maplethrive team, in confidence.