The Ontario online gaming market has grown at a rapid pace over the last year and live casinos have also seen a return to normal since the end of pandemic regulations. As Canadians across the country return to the gaming floor, regulators continue stressing the importance of responsible gaming.
With that mission in mind, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE), and Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati recently celebrated the grand opening of a redesigned and relocated PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview Casino. The goal is to keep responsible gaming in mind as players enter the property.
“PlaySmart Centres, like the one at Fallsview, are an important component of our globally recognized, award-winning responsible gambling program,” said Catherine Meade, OLG Vice President of Community, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility. “The centres are filled with engaging interactive tools and resources to help players make informed decisions when they play our games.”
Details on PlaySmart Centres
At Fallsview, the new centre is located in the Galleria by Ponte Vecchio, where OLG and casino officials expect the venue to attract more visitors to check out the interactive tools and responsible gambling resources available. Gamblers checking out the new centre can access advice and information to support safe gambling play and “help keep fun in the game.”
OLG officials say that the centre enhances the overall gaming experience by creating a more inviting and informative educational space for players to take a break.
“Promoting safe play and keeping our games fun for all players is important to MGE,” Niagara Casinos President Richard Taylor said. “We’re committed to working with OLG and the RGC on an array of responsible gambling initiatives — including the new and improved PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview — which assist our guests in making informed choices.”
The PlaySmart program helps players build knowledge, understand the risks, gain insight into personal playing behaviors, and engage in positive habits. Players who may have problems with gambling can also access OLG’s My PlayBreak program. This is one of the first voluntary self-exclusion programs in the country. Gamblers can set a certain amount of time in which they want to take a break from casinos and gambling.
“We are proud of the leadership role we have earned in responsible gambling over the past 25 years, but we know we did not get here alone,” OLG Chief Gaming Officer Dave Pridmore said. “We work closely with our partners, like MGE and the RGC, to integrate responsible gambling across all areas of our business. This refreshed PlaySmart Centre is a great example of how we are working together so players can enjoy our games in a responsible way.”
More Details on the Play Smart Program
OLG works in partnership with casinos throughout Ontario and responsible gaming is a major part of that. As part of those efforts, PlaySmart Centres are located at all Ontario casinos and charitable gaming facilities. Since April 2019, more than 500,000 people have visited the centres. According to OLG, the Fallsview PlaySmart Centre aided more than 13,000 people.
“RGC is proud to provide services to OLG in the day-to-day operations of PlaySmart Centres,” CEO of RGC Shelley White said. “We’re excited about the enhanced centre at Fallsview. PlaySmart Centres are staffed with highly experienced team members who are available daily to answer questions and support players. We look forward to continuing our work with OLG and all Ontario gaming operators to provide a positive player experience across all Ontario casinos.”
The program has received some accolades in the industry. OLG was recently named as a finalist for four Global Regulatory Awards, including: Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling; Compliance Rising Star; Outstanding Individual Contribution to Responsible Gambling; and the Responsible Approach to Advertising or Marketing.
These award nominations build on previous recognition from other global organizations. OLG has been certified by the World Lottery Association (WLA) at the highest level since 2010 and has twice been awarded best overall responsible gaming program by the WLA.
In 2022, OLG was the first Canadian jurisdiction to receive the endorsement of the North American State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) under their responsible gambling verification program.
A 2022 study by Statistics Canada offered some insights on problem gambling in the country. While Canadians from lower-income households were less likely to gamble than those from higher income households, they were more vulnerable to gambling problems.
The report notes that 71.5% of Canadians from the highest income households reported gambling in the past year with 1.1% at moderate-to-severe risk for problem gambling. Of those from the lowest-income households, 53.8% gambled in the past year, with 2.7% at moderate-to-severe risk for gambling problems. Canadian regulators are working to see some of those problem gambling numbers decrease.
