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Responsible Gambling, Responsible Gambling Canada

Responsible Gambling Canada

PlaySmart Centres are operated by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) of Ontario, a non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention. PlaySmart Centres are located onsite at slot, casino and Charitable Bingo & Gaming Centre sites across Ontario. These full- or self-service areas are the perfect place to take a break and learn more about how the games work.

Responsible Gambling

As OLG’s responsible gambling program, we’re here to educate you about gambling so you can make informed choices about the games you love to play.

OUR PLEDGE TO PLAYERS

WE PLEDGE TO COMMUNICATE HOW GAMES WORK

WE PLEDGE TO OFFER YOU KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN USE

WE PLEDGE TO KEEP IT FUN

WE PLEDGE TO BE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US

THE NEW PLAYSMART.CA

Our newest resource is a virtual encyclopedia filled with facts, tools and advice to help you make smart choices that keep gambling fun. Visit PlaySmart.ca to get details on how to play games, learn about odds and strategies, and arm yourself with the facts about gambling.

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME

Uncover misperceptions and discover smart play strategies. At PlaySmart.ca there’s something for everyone. And if the fun ends, counselling services and resources are here to help.

PLAYSMART CENTRES

PlaySmart Centres are located onsite at slot, casino and Charitable Bingo & Gaming Centre sites across Ontario. These full- or self-service areas are the perfect place to take a break and learn more about how the games work.

Chat with friendly, professionally-trained PlaySmart Centre Staff. Learn answers to gambling questions, and get connected with counselling and support professionals if you’re experiencing problem gambling.

PlaySmart Centres are operated by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) of Ontario, a non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention.

WHAT IS SELF-EXCLUSION?

Take a break from gambling with the help of this confidential, voluntary, self-help program. Self-Exclusion starts with a written commitment to stay away from certain gaming sites in Ontario for a pre-determined time.
Thinking about taking a break? Find out if Self-Exclusion is right for you.

LEADING THE WAY IN RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

Our responsible gambling program is recognized for its global leadership, earning the highest levels of third-party industry recognition and accreditation:

Awarded best Overall Responsible Gaming (RG) Program in the world by the World Lottery Association in 2015

All Ontario slots and casino sites certified by RG Check as of 2018

TRACK OUR PROGRESS

We’re committed to fostering responsible play by making information accessible to everyone. Read our annual reports to find out how we’re creating strategies that get results.

PLAYSMART IN YOUR COMMUNITY

PlaySmart experts are available to speak with groups and associations in Ontario. Arrange a talk at your next meeting.

Responsible Gambling: A Guide for Canadian Gamblers

Jennifer Newell | April 10th, 2017 | Updated On: March 12th, 2021

Whether you’re choosing to gamble through internet casinos, or land-based casinos, it can be a lot of fun. It is designed to take your mind off of the stresses of everyday life, while also (hopefully) making you a couple extra dollars along the way. Harmless, right? Not always. Sometimes gambling moves from the fun and entertaining, to something scarier, like an addiction. Responsible gambling is supported by the top Canadian casinos our team here at Maple Casino recommends. We believe that players should always stay ahead of the game by playing safe.

Therefore, Maple Casino’s highly rated casinos are committed to creating a safe and responsible online gaming environment by complying with industry standards set by regulatory bodies like eCOGRA. So, always remember that gambling, if not played responsibly, could result in financial, social or health related problems.

Canadian Under 18 Policy

Gambling involves risk and should be carefully monitored.

Anyone under 18 is strictly forbidden to gamble.

Gambling can be harmful and should be played responsibly.

The legal age of players to register and play at any of Maple Casino’s shortlisted casinos is 18 years. If children below 18 have access to a computer, account holders should take care to keep their account details confidential. Do not leave children unattended around computers while the online casino website or the software is in use.

Gambling Addiction

Like any addiction, a gambling addiction can be classified as a mental disorder. This is because when you look at a person with an addiction, they simply cannot control themselves. They are unable to limit their actions, even if they know it is hurting them or the people around them. Gambling addiction refers to the circumstance where gambling begins to affect a person’s life negatively. If gambling causes any problems to a person’s emotional and physical well-being, state of mind, their family, relationships, job or financial situation, it is crucial to seek help.

In the sense of a gambling addiction, it comes in many forms. Here, we are going to highlight the 3 that are the most prominent and that most addicted gamblers fall into:

The Problem Gambler

Perhaps the least extreme of the 3 we are going to mention, a problem gambler is often chasing losses, with a refusal to stop. Now most people who gamble, will often chase losses, but a problem gambler is different. They have no desire to stop at any point and will keep going far beyond their means.

The Compulsive Gambler

When it comes to the compulsive gambler, they have absolutely no control. They will often times not think of the consequences of their actions or the effects of gambling addiction on family. This could lead to the wagering of money they simply do not have. And constantly finding reasons to gamble where there isn’t any, even if it takes a toll on their life.

The Binge Gambler

Someone who is a binge gambler may not spend a lot of time gambling or thinking about gambling. But when they do, they go overboard. They are able to control the frequency in which they gamble, but cannot control themselves once they are in the game.

The Cause of a Gambling Addiction:

There is no singular factor that causes someone to become addicted to gambling. It can be something as simple as a player not having control of their behaviour. They become addicted in a way they were not intending. Or it can be as complex as someone who struggles with addiction in other areas of their life. They are immediately vulnerable to addiction in other areas of their life.

Be on the lookout for yourself, and for people in your life who may have a problem.

What to look for:

How can a player protect themselves?

It is important that players be able to take matters into their own hands if they may have a problem. Here are a couple options for players looking to protect themselves or others:

1. Self-Exclusion Periods

6 Months Self-Exclusion Period: all existing and new casino accounts within the casinos recommended by Maple Casino, can be locked for six months. This is on the premise that a player requests to do a self-exclusion period due to a gambling problem or inability to control his/her gambling. Any funds which are in the account of the player will be subject to the casino’s terms and conditions. Usually, no promotional material is sent to the player by any means while they are on the self-exclusion period. The account can only be reopened after six months at the player’s request. The casino will not contact the player with a reminder.

2. Cool-Off Period

However, if a player does not feel they need their account to be locked, online casinos can also offer the following:

a) the 24-hour cool-off period. (all accounts locked for 24 hours, the player will have to contact the casino to unlock the account);

b) the 7-day cool-off period. (all accounts locked for seven days and the player will have to contact the casino to unlock the account)

3. Deposit Limit Options

Another way in which a player can monitor their gambling habits is to set deposit limits. This will help curb the amount they spend at any given time. A player should simply get in touch with the casino’s contact centre. The limit is in place within 24 hours. The options are as follows:

Daily deposit limits

Weekly deposit limits

Monthly deposit limits

4. Locking of accounts for a predetermined timeframe

A player can inform the casino as to how long they would like their account to be locked. The casino will lock it and the account will remain locked until that period passes.

Who can help?

Responsible Gaming Council (RGC):

A great resource we have here in Canada, is the Responsible Gambling Council. Although they are Canadian based, they have a vision of a world free of problem gambling and gambling addiction. On their website, they have resources for both the public and the industry. Also for regulators when it comes to safer, more responsible gambling practices. They even have information on how to gamble safer, who is at risk, gambling & young adults and a self-assessment quiz if you’re worried you may have problem.

Visit their website to have access to all of their resources.

The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling
http://www.cprg.ca

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week in Canada:

There are a couple of provinces that have Responsible Gambling Awareness Week or similar events throughout the year. These are to inform players on safer, more responsible gambling. Also allowing players to seek help and share stories, while providing support to both land-based and online gambling addiction.

Nova Scotia: Responsible Gambling Awareness Week takes place during the first week of October.

Alberta: Responsible Gambling Awareness Week takes place during the second week in May.

British Columbia: Responsible Gambling Awareness Month takes place from February-April.

If you believe you or someone in your life has a problem with gambling and addiction, please visit: thelifelinecanada.ca

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Responsible Gaming

Keeping our games fun for all players is an important part of being socially responsible. At Great Canadian, the cornerstone of our business is to strive to be a responsible corporate citizen, and we realize that while most of our customers enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment, a small percentage may experience problems.

We work with local communities and provincial governments to educate and create awareness around Responsible Gambling. Since the beginning, Great Canadian has allocated significant resources towards advancing responsible gambling practices and programs.

As a company with operations in BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Washington State, our efforts are focused on working with our crown partners in establishing and implementing an array of responsible gambling initiatives which assist our guests in making informed choices.

Responsible Gambling initiatives that Great Canadian Gaming is deeply committed to include:

Dedicated Responsible Gambling Department
The mandate of the corporate responsible gambling department is to oversee, guide and establish responsible gambling initiatives, policies and procedures in conjunction with provincial and national responsible gambling standards. The department is also focused on fostering an overall responsible gambling culture throughout the corporation.

RG Policies and Procedures
A key component of our responsible gambling efforts is to ensure that we have robust responsible gambling policies and procedures in place at all of our gaming operations. The policies allow us to execute our responsible gambling programs in an effective and efficient manner.

RG Check Accreditation
RG Check is an internationally recognized accreditation program created by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) that evaluates the gaming venue’s responsible gambling efforts and standards. Currently, the majority of Great Canadian gaming venues have received RG Check accreditation. To learn more about the RG Check process, visit www.rgcheck.com.

Responsible Gambling Staff Training
We are committed to educating our staff on responsible gaming so they are able to have knowledgeable conversations with our players. Our staff has enhanced knowledge, awareness, and skills in the identification of possible gaming related issues and makes every attempt to respond appropriately to guests who may be experiencing problems.

Responsible Gambling Literature
We showcase Responsible Gambling literature and brochures in various high traffic areas throughout our properties. It is our goal to make it easily available for customers who may want to learn about responsible gaming tips, odds of the games and other such information.

Problem Gambling Helpline Assistance
A key responsible gambling program that offers direct assistance, treatment and support free of charge is the provincial problem gambling helpline. This type of resource is available to all who may have questions about gambling or are impacted by somebody’s gambling activity.

Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
We believe the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program is one of the most important tools that can assist in supporting individuals in taking a break from gaming. This program allows an individual to voluntarily exclude himself/herself from a casino property for a set period of time.

Responsible Gambling Information Centres
These information centres are interactive booths on the gaming floor which provide information on responsible play, odds of winning, gambling myths and facts, risk factors and where to find help for problem gambling. They are often staffed by Responsible Gaming Advisers who are able to share valuable RG information and connect with guests on the gaming floor.

Responsible Marketing
Great Canadian is committed to high ethical marketing standards that do not target minors in any way possible or portray extravagant or misleading wins. We do everything we can to can to keep it real.

No Minors
No minors are allowed in our casinos. The 19+ rule is strictly enforced. Each of our properties are equipped with state-of-the-art ID scanning devices and require all individuals appearing under 30 to submit to an ID scan to ensure validity.

Learn More About Responsible Gaming
To learn more about the various Responsible Gaming programs Great Canadian is involved in, please review the following links:

Problem Gambling Help Line 1.888.795.6111

Responsible Gambling Canada

In June 2001, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) sponsored a national forum that brought together a group of Canadians to identify issues and actions to further the aims of reponsible gambling in Canada.

As a result of that meeting and under the leadership of the RGC, a diverse group of representatives from several provinces established a founding steering committee and have pursued the creation of a national member-driven initiative to provide services to members in support of responsible gambling research, education and policy development.

The steering committee has translated this vision into a formal initiative – the Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling.

Purpose Statement

The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling is a collaboration of non-profit organizations, gaming providers, research centres and regulators working to find and promote effective ways to reduce the risk of problem gambling.

Responsible Gambling Definition - Working copy

Micro: Responsible gambling is behaviour whereby the gambler: views gambling as entertainment with associated costs; sets a limit for the time and money spent and sticks to it; and recognizes that uncontrolled gambling can create problems for themselves, for others in their social network, and the community.

Macro: Responsible Gambling occurs through the collective actions and shared responsibility among a number of stakeholders, including government, gaming operators, regulators, treatment providers, community groups and individual gamblers.

To the Partnership: For the Partnership, responsible gambling means seeking and implementing practices to reduce the risks of problem gambling.

Statement of Intent

The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling actively promotes and supports research to increase understanding of responsible gambling behaviour. Many of the Canadian partners have established provincial research centres, institutes and other vehicles to fund research intended to describe, explain, predict and control problem gambling behaviour. Research aimed at controlling problem gambling behaviour focuses on prevention and treatment efforts and these include examining the effectiveness of responsible gambling initiatives designed to mitigate problem gambling.

Responsible Gambling Canada

The Canadian federal government introduced a bill at the end of last year which could pave the way for legalisation of single-event sports betting, with licences for online operators. Entain has already expressed interest in applying for a licence in Ontario if, and when, they are available.

The research project, led by the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Plus – a global consultation service that offers research and strategic consultation services – aims to draw on consumer insights in Canada and experiences across other international jurisdictions to help regulators to make evidence-based recommendations that balance the mandates of online operators with the identifying behaviours and risk factors for consumers.

International experience shows a vast majority of people enjoy sports betting and gaming with no issues, but regulation helps to protect those potentially at risk.

Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs & Responsible Gambling at Entain said: “We know from similar research in many markets in which we operate, including the United States, that regulators value research which supports an evidence-based approach to decision-making and effective regulation from a wide range of other international jurisdictions. Entain, which operates across five continents and over 20 countries, has unparalleled experience with different regulatory approaches taken around the world in the past 15 years. “

The research will focus on a sample of approximately 4,000 adult bettors and gamers (18+ years old), providing the most comprehensive and up to date evidence into responsible online sports betting and gaming needs and interests. The work will also review other key international jurisdictions to assess regulatory approaches, using informant interviews to identify effective responsible betting and gaming practices.

Shelley White, CEO of RGC expressed “As a global leader in responsible gambling, RGC is committed to working with regulators, operators and the public to establish the development and implementation of a robust responsible gambling culture. RGC’s work with Entain will contribute to vital advancements in consumer safeguards.”

Research work is expected to begin shortly with the full report due later in the year. Assuming the regulatory process continues, Ontario is expected to become the first Canadian province to introduce online gambling, with initial licences expected to be granted in 2022.

Canada needs more-aggressive problem-gambling policies, say researchers

All the fancy trappings in casinos — the illuminated fountains spouting in rhythm to orchestral music, the elaborate replicas of renowned monuments, the neon signs blinking like post-blackout clock radios — are made possible by one thing: losing. Lots and lots of losing.

In Canada, where provincial governments run games of chance, losing also pays for less gaudy items: highways, schools, health care, etc. But who, exactly, is doing all the losing? Who’s pumping millions of dollars into slot machines and lotteries to help provinces meet their budgets?

Turns out that a large portion of those doing the losing, up to half in some areas, are people with pathological gambling problems. This comes as little surprise to researchers studying gambling, who suggest that provinces are reluctant to make aggressive policies to reduce problem gambling because it would cut into their revenues.

“They’re the promoter, the operator, the regulator and the main beneficiary. That’s a horrible conflict-of-interest situation,” says Garry Smith, who specializes in gambling research at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. “Social responsibility should trump revenue. You don’t want to prey on your vulnerable citizens. Are we willing to trade off on suicides, bankruptcies and other social costs for the money?”

In a new paper in Addiction about the nature and scope of gambling in Canada, Smith notes that provinces expanded gambling quickly over the past four decades, with little public consultation and scant concern for negative social or health consequences (Addiction 2013 doi: 10.1111/add.12210).

Provincial problem gambling policies are almost all educational, requiring people with addictions to seek help rather than restricting gaming options or daily expenditures.

Canada is now home to more than 70 casinos, 30 000 lottery outlets and 96 000 electronic gaming machines. In 2010/2011, gross revenues from gambling totalled $13.9 billion. On average, Canadians each lose $568 a year gambling, the fourth highest rate in the world.

Gambling is treated as a “profit-driven business enterprise,” Smith notes in his paper, and associated problems such as addiction, suicide and pathological gambling are treated as minor concerns: “Despite mounting evidence showing that problem gamblers contribute a disproportionate share of total gambling revenues, government social responsibility initiatives have not rectified the problem.”

This stands in stark contrast to efforts to reduce the harm caused by products such as tobacco and alcohol, note researchers. Provinces have instituted policies to curb the social and health costs of consuming these substances by limiting availability, increasing prices and controlling how they are served.

“We have nothing really analogous in gambling. All the efforts thus far have focused on education — admonishing people to gamble responsibly, putting the odds on tickets or raising awareness about a hotline,” says Robert Williams, a research coordinator for the Alberta Gambling Research Institute, based in Edmonton. “There are no policy measures to constrain gambling.”

This does indeed appear to be the case, if email responses from provincial gambling regulators to CMAJ inquiries are any indication. When asked to describe their problem-gambling policies, many regulators used similar words and phrases: helpline, media campaign, raising awareness, counselling, promote responsible gambling, etc.

Initiatives by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, for example, include a responsible-gambling social marketing campaign, responsible-gambling information centres, efforts to discourage youth from gambling and education for industry staff about problem gambling. “These programs help patrons assess their play behaviour and, where needed, take appropriate actions to address any concerns they may have about those behaviours,” Kelly Holmes, director of program services for social responsibility and licensing/compliance, writes in an email.

The government of Saskatchewan also highlighted efforts to raise awareness without mentioning any restrictive policies. “We think we do a good job in providing problem-gambling prevention services,” Heather Murray, director of research, evaluation and central support for the health ministry’s community care branch, writes in an email. “We have included the helpline number in the most recent media campaigns to direct individuals to available services. Our latest media campaign also addresses the feeling of isolation that many problem gamblers feel and shows them where they can go for help.”

In British Columbia, the province provides “GameSense” advisors in casinos, who answer questions about how games works, winning odds and gambling myths. And, like other provinces, it has a helpline. “The B.C. government’s Responsible Gambling Strategy effectively addresses problem gambling through treatment and prevention services such as a 24-hour multilingual helpline and free, no-waitlist clinical counselling. Last year, the helpline received more than 4000 calls,” a spokesperson (who requested anonymity) for the Ministry Responsible for Gaming, writes in an email.

The problem with these types of services, though, is that only a small percentage of problem gamblers — in the neighbourhood of 10%–15% — will access them of their own accord. What’s needed, say researchers, are policies that will reduce the amount of money problem gamblers spend, whether they like it or not. “Purveyors of gambling say they can’t babysit people who are responsible adults. But people with addictions aren’t responsible adults. They are out of control. They do need some kind of intervention,” says Smith. “There are things you can do that are much more rigorous and are reasonable, and I don’t think most gamblers who don’t have a problem would object.”

There are, in fact, many aggressive policies — ones that don’t wait for the lives of people with addictions to become so desperate that they seek help — that have been shown to reduce problem-gambling rates, Williams and colleagues noted in a comprehensive review of best practices (www.uleth.ca/dspace/handle/10133/3121). These include reducing the number of venues, eliminating the highest-risk forms of gambling, constraining maximum bet amounts, requiring gamblers to pre-commit to daily expenditure limits, asking all patrons for identification to enforce self-exclusion lists and restricting access to alcohol and automated banking machines in casinos.

European countries tend to have far stricter policies, notes Williams, and, as a result, their problem-gambling rates are only a fraction of those in Canada. Some practices allowed by provincial governments, such as providing gamblers with rewards if they spend more, may actually be contributing to problem gambling. “These things don’t make any sense,” says Williams. “Canadians would never accept being rewarded for alcohol consumption, but we do that for gambling.”

Because provincial policies are limited, problem gamblers continue to contribute a disproportionate amount to gaming revenues. In a 2004 study in Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, based on data from eight provinces, Williams estimated that 4.2% of Canadians were problem gamblers, yet they accounted for 23.1% of gambling revenue (Anal Soc Issues Public Policy 2004;4:33–45).

A 2011 report for the Alberta Gambling Research Institute prepared by Williams and colleagues indicated that problem gamblers are responsible for about 50% of gambling expenditures in Alberta, and account for an even higher rate of money swallowed by slot machines and video lottery terminals. (http://research.uleth.ca/seiga/seiga_final_report.pdf). Since 2008, gambling revenues have made up between 4% and 5% of total government revenues, states the report, which also suggests that roughly 10% of suicide attempts in Alberta are gambling-related.

The situation in Ontario isn’t much better. A 2007 study in Canadian Public Policy, with data from 364 people who kept four-week diaries, found that 36% of revenues in Ontario came from problem gamblers (Can Pub Policy 2007;33:367–88). “Thirty-six percent of revenues derived from problem gambling would be a problematic figure for private industry, let alone a government-run operation whose purpose is to serve the people, not to exploit the people,” the paper states.

Reducing problem gambling might reduce revenues, but it would do wonders to improve the lives of not only those addicted to gambling, but also those of employees in casinos and other gambling venues, suggests Robert Murray, manager of the Problem Gambling Project at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Ontario.

“That is probably the most difficult aspect of working in this industry, having family members pounding on the door and yelling ‘Get my husband out of there,’” says Murray. “Everyone wants to feel that they work in an environment that takes care of their customers.”

Though there is still much room for progress in reducing problem gambling, the industry does appear more open to intervening now than in the past, says Murray. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has worked with people employed in the gambling industry to help them identify when and how to intervene.

“We are not trying to train them to be clinicians or to diagnose a gambling problem, but there are hundreds of thousands of people walking through the doors of casinos every day, and those employees are going to be dealing with problems whether or not they have training,” says Murray. “We equip them with certain basic communication skills and an understanding of how to positively engage people, and how to link the customer to available resources should they need that.”

Measuring the ROI on responsible gambling

In the third installment of a new collaboration between IAG and the Responsible Gambling Council – a global non-profit organization based in Canada – RGC CEO Shelley White explains how RG policies contribute to player loyalty, staff satisfaction and ultimately an organization’s bottom line.

Across the globe, responsible gambling is recognized as a priority for the majority of gaming and gambling operators and regulators. While most understand the importance of minimizing potential harms and reducing problem gambling, what is not easily understood is how to measure the financial contribution of responsible gambling to an organization. The one question we have been asked repeatedly by operators around the globe is “does RG contribute to the bottom line?”

Responsible gambling is the adoption of policies and practices that promote healthy gambling habits while mitigating risk. These strategies will differ depending on the type of market, from an emerging market like Vietnam or a mature market like Singapore – it is not a one size fits all approach.

The requirements established by the regulator also play a role in determining an operator’s investment. What remains the same is the positive outcomes responsible gambling yields in creating a loyal and sustainable player base and an organizational culture with high staff retention. Recognizing the importance of building responsible gambling policies and evaluation metrics into fiscal planning means that these core concepts will continue to pay dividends over time.

AN INVESTMENT IN RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING CREATES PLAYER LOYALTY

At the heart of responsible gambling is the protection of players and the public from gambling harms. An operator’s commitment to these RG practices creates a direct link to its customer base. Over time, this link can become a relationship as customer loyalty increases when they feel as though their well-being is important. Customers will return to a venue that provides tailored and culturally appropriate player facing communications that are relevant to them. Loyalty influences the growth of a sustainable player base.

In jurisdictions like Macau, where the geographic area is small but the gambling options are abundant, player loyalty is especially important for the bottom line. Players will go where they feel valued and support an operator with whom they feel a connection.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND CAPITAL ARE AN IMPORTANT ASSET

Just as player loyalty reinforces the creation of returning customers, an organization’s investment in human resources fosters the retention of loyal employees. Staff are crucial as they carry out organizational policies and have the ability to shape an organization’s reputation. The adoption of responsible gambling policies helps with retaining staff who perform at high levels and are engaged with the organization but also the player base.

When staff satisfaction is high, it can transform into many positive impacts for an organization from employee commitment and engagement to increased job performance. RG is an investment in people and its return is invaluable.

EVIDENCE-BASED RG POLICIES REINFORCE THE BOTTOM LINE

Metrics like accreditation and training evaluations provide operators with a roadmap for continuous improvement. It demonstrates an organization’s commitment to transparency about how it protects player health. This accountability builds trust and is a positive influence on the bottom line.

In the Asian market, integrity is a core value and third party evaluations can enhance this by increasing credibility in the eyes of internal and external stakeholders as well as the public. Measuring the impact of RG on both organizations and players closes the fiscal loop, helping to inform policies and provide solid evidence that it belongs in the operating budget.

Responsible gambling increasingly is becoming a core component of an organization’s business strategy, like human resource management, marketing and compliance. RG is a strategic investment in the creation of loyal, returning players, engaged and satisfied employees and reputation management, which contribute to the growth, sustainability and credibility of an organization.

Responsible Gambling

If I think I, or someone I know has a gambling problem, what should I do?

Saskatchewan Health co-ordinates treatment, prevention and education services for problem gambling in co-operation with regional health authorities, community-based organizations, gaming industry representatives and community stakeholders. A range of programs, services and strategies focus on intervention and treatments services, prevention, and public information. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. The Problem Gambling Help Line provides professional counseling as well as confidential referral and information services. Call toll-free at 1-800-306-6789 or visit the Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline.

Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Initiatives

As part of a multi-agency commitment to increase funding for problem gambling prevention and treatment initiatives in this province, SLGA has committed to help fund various problem gambling activities, including operation of the toll-free problem gambling help line, an ongoing media awareness campaign.

Problem Gambling Helpline

Problem Gambling Help Line – 1-800-306-6789, or visit Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline online.

Through funding provided by SLGA and oversight by the Ministry of Health, the Problem Gambling Help Line provides 24-hour help to people with gambling problems and their families. Callers receive confidential, professional service from trained counsellors, free of charge. The help line provides:

crisis intervention services; and

referrals to regional health authority problem gambling counsellors and self-help groups.

Gambling Responsibly: Informed Decisions

SLGA's Gambling Responsibly brochure provides information to help VLT players make informed decisions about their play. The brochure provides an overview on house advantage, randomness, responsible gaming features on VLT machines and discusses some gambling myths and facts.

Playing Video Lottery Terminals

Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling

SLGA was a founding member of the Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling (CPRG) when it was established in 2004. The CPRG is a collaboration of non-profit organizations, gaming providers, research centres and regulators working to find and promote effective ways of reducing the risk of problem gambling.

Gambling Myths Campaign

SLGA provides funding to the Ministry of Health in support of a province-wide gambling myths media campaign. The campaign’s objective is to correct faulty beliefs related to how gambling works and educate gamblers about commonly held myths that can contribute to individuals developing gambling-related problems. These myth busting posters have been featured on bus shelters, bus interiors and various outdoor and indoor billboards.

To learn more about gambling myths and facts visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

Canadian Responsible Gaming Association

SLGA, SaskGaming and other provincial gambling operators in Canada are participating members of the Canadian Responsible Gaming Association (CRGA). The CRGA pursues opportunities for collaboration and works to advance the level, effectiveness and operational integration of responsible gambling programming within the Canadian gaming industry.

Responsible Gambling Features on Saskatchewan’s Video Lottery Terminal Network

Saskatchewan’s network of video lottery terminals (VLTs), players have access to information and tools that help support responsible gambling and informed decision making. Responsible gambling features include the pre-selection of a time limit of up to 60 minutes per gambling session. Players can extend this time limit only once before an automatic cash-out occurs. In addition, the “stop button” feature has been eliminated to remove the illusion that players have control over the outcome of the VLT. An additional voluntary responsible gaming tool is the Player Services Account which allows players to set time/spend limits, review their time/spend history, and learn how VLTs work. Every play on a VLT has a random outcome, meaning that no one can accurately predict what combinations or results will occur next.

Additional responsible gambling messaging on the VLTs that aims to educate gamblers on concepts such as randomness, the cost of play, and the importance of setting time and money limits. Saskatchewan’s VLTs have retained their previous responsible gambling features including:

The permanent on-screen clock that is used to help increase gamblers’ awareness of time spent gambling,

The amount of money that is won or lost is displayed in dollars rather than credits to help inform players of the amount of money spent during a gambling session; and

Players will continue to be limited to a one-time bill insertion of $100, and a forced cash-out will occur once the balance reaches $1,750.

Responsible Gaming Features Poster

Responsible Gaming For VLT Site Operators

SLGA provides operators of video lottery terminal (VLT) sites throughout the province with mandatory training on the responsible operation of VLTs. The training program is mandatory for at least one VLT site owner or manager, and expires after five years. The training program assists VLT site contractors to identify and dispel myths and misconceptions regarding gambling; understand concepts such as randomness and odds; understand random number generators and how VLTs operate; and to identify signs and methods of addressing problem gambling behaviour.

Useful Links

Help with Problem Gambling

The Problem Gambling Help Line provides professional counseling as well as confidential referral and information services.

Problem gambling prevention, education and treatment programs in Saskatchewan are co-ordinated by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

Contact Us

If you have questions or need assistance, get in touch.

Responsible Gambling – Things You Must Know about Responsible Gambling

Gambling is a lot of fun, which is why so many Canadians love it. After all, who doesn’t want to win a huge cash prize when one least expects it? Since all gambling games are based on chance, one can never know when one will win or lose. Gambling wouldn’t be fun if one could correctly predict its outcomes.

Also, all online casino games have a high house advantage, and there isn’t anything players can do to change the odds in their favor. If you aren’t careful, you can easily fall prey to problem gambling or become a gambling addict. For this reason, all the top Canadian online sports betting sites urge their customers to gamble in a responsible manner.

Canada Cares for Its Gamblers

Canada is home to one of the biggest gambling industries in the world and is therefore eager to advocate responsible gambling and support awareness programs, information drives, and research on problem gambling and gambling addiction. Ever year, Canada’s gambling industry invests millions of Canadian Dollars to support awareness and education on responsible gambling, fund research, and provide proper treatment for gambling addicts and problem gamblers.

Online gambling websites are required by law to provide responsible gambling tools to their customers. Operators collaborate with managers, site owners, and regulators to reach business decisions that not only generate profit, but also minimize the harmful effects of gambling. The ultimate goal of the nation is to create a safe and secure gambling environment for its adults.

How to Gamble Responsibly

Here are a few tips that will help you gamble in a responsible manner:

Plan your gambling activities well in advance. This will save you from spending long hours on an activity that might deplete your bankroll and leave you broke. In other words, keep your gambling sessions short.

Learn to manage your bankroll well.

Tell yourself right at the beginning of a gambling session that you will play only till you lose or win a specific amount.

Avoid blowing your winnings by placing more bets. Instead, withdraw part of your winnings as profits.

Never gamble to escape from heartbreaks, unhappy relationships, loneliness, anxiety, or depression.

Never gamble with money set aside for education, loans, groceries, medical care, utility bills, and others.

Never drink and gamble as it is the fastest way to lose your hard earned money.

Gamble with friends or family members as they can prevent you from chasing losses or gambling for too long.

Never chase losses. As soon as you have lost a pre-determined sum of money, stop playing.

Understand the game rules and strategies perfectly before wagering real money on it.

Maintain a gambling diary and carefully record the exact amount of money and time you spend on gambling activities. This will help you control your gambling.

Avoid loading online betting accounts with credit cards. Use prepaid cards as they can help you establish better control over your gambling.

Use all the responsible gambling tools offered by your online gambling site.

If you feel that gambling is harming you, get help immediately.

How to Get Help

Here is a brief list of resources for problem gamblers and gambling addicts in Canada:

Responsible Gambling Council: Based in Ontario, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is a not-for-profit and independent organization that focuses on preventing problem gambling. They organize information and awareness programs on problem gambling and urge operators to adopt high standards and best practices to make gambling as safe as possible.

Responsible Gambling Resource Center: This organization is RGC operated, but has independent centers all over Ontario. The focus is on helping people who are worried about their own or their loved ones’ problems with gambling. The centers connect people with community assistance or agencies devoted to the treatment of problem gambling.

Canadian Gaming Association: The Canadian Gaming Association is a strong supporter of responsible gambling and initiates programs at provincial levels to help curb problem gambling and gambling addiction. These programs vary from one province to the other, but share similar aims:

Prevention of underage gambling

Allowing players to exclude themselves from gambling facilities

Including responsible gambling messages in their advertisements

Connecting players with centers and organizations dedicated to curb and treat problem gambling

Adopt annual strategies for the guidance of operators

Provide guidelines for awareness programs, research, regulations, and so on

British Columbia’s Responsible Gambling Program: This program helps the residents of British Columbia to understand responsible gambling better and learn responsible gambling tips. It also includes a large number of resources, which the British Columbia Lottery Corporation has developed through GameSense.

Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling: This body comprises a number of not-for-profit organizations, research centers, gaming providers, and regulators who work together to discover and promote ways to minimize risks of problem gambling.

Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission: This regulator strongly advocates responsible gambling not only independently, but also in collaboration with regulators, operators, and policy makers. The credit of developing GamTalk, an online support forum for problem gamblers, goes to AGLC.

Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario: This institute has an exhaustive list of resources for Canada’s problem gamblers. It brings together experts, researchers, and professionals so that they can share information and device ways to minimize gambling risks.

How Online Sports Betting Websites Help You to Gamble Responsibly

Each online sports betting site we recommend urges customers to gamble responsibly and provides a set of tools to help them manage their bankrolls better. Players can set deposit and betting limits, request the site to freeze their accounts, and even exclude themselves from the site’s services for some time. These betting sites also connect problem gamblers to organizations that can help them.

To conclude, it is safe for Canadians to gamble at the sites we recommend.

So, let's define, what was the most valuable conclusion of this review: Official Web site for Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's lottery players, aged 18 and over. Featuring winning numbers, upcoming jackpots, game demos, winners and beneficiaries. Site Web officiel des joueurs de la Société des loteries et des jeux de l'Ontario, âgés de 18 ans ou plus. Numéros gagnants, prochains gros lots, démonstration des jeux, gagnants et bénéficiaires. at Responsible Gambling Canada