Every year during the first week of October, we mark Responsible Gambling Awareness Week with a series of activities across the province. The week highlights the work we do all year long to help you understand the odds of winning and losing, as well as understanding the games you play.
Gambling Harm Awareness Week was held from 7–13 October 2019, be sure to keep an eye out for 2020 dates.
The week is designed to encourage community discussions about why gambling harm matters. Harm from gambling isn’t just about losing money. Gambling can affect self-esteem, relationships, physical and mental health, work performance and social life. It can harm not only the person who gambles but also family, friends, workplaces and communities.
Anyone who gambles – or knows someone who gambles – may be at risk of gambling harm. Harm from gambling starts earlier and occurs more frequently than people may think. The Foundation's Hidden Harm paper (2017) shows that 85 percent of harm from gambling is among low- and moderate-risk gamblers.
Gambling harm is also often hidden and the impact is not spoken about because it can be sensitive or uncomfortable.
That’s why Gambling Harm Awareness Week is focused on the theme TALK. SHARE. SUPPORT.
We invite everyone in our community to get involved in the week by having open discussions about gambling harm, to understand it better, and to help prevent it from occurring. Talking about gambling harm helps make it okay for those affected to reach out and share the impact gambling may be having.
Talking and sharing can help alleviate the stigma that is often associated with seeking support.
As a community let’s start talking and together we can help prevent gambling harm.
Contact
Gambling Harm Awareness Week Project Manager
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
Phone: (03) 9452 2600
Email: harmweek@responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au
Find out more on the Gambler's Help website
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.
Responsible Gambling Awareness Week Nova Scotia Weather
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:
British Columbia
British Columbia Lottery Corporation
GameSense Program
British Columbia Responsible and Problem Gambling Program
Ontario
PlaySmart Program
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation
Problem Gambling Help Line 1.888.795.6111