Responsible & Problem Gambling Joint Initiatives
Being responsible in the gambling industry involves a shared responsibility between the individual, government and industry. A key part of this is working together to develop and share best practices both within Alberta and other jurisdictions.
AGLC’s major partnerships involving responsible gambling include:
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Researching Responsible and Problem Gambling
Funded by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission,
the Alberta Gaming Research Institute (AGRI) was
established in response to a 1998 Gaming Summit recommendation.
As a
consortium of the University of Alberta, the University
of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, the
AGRI’s primary purpose is to support and
promote research into gaming and gambling in the
province and to achieve international recognition
with this research.
For more information on the gambling-related research
and findings of the AGRI and other similar institutes,
read the AGRI’s Gambling
Research Reveals newsletter. |
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As Alberta Health Services (AHS) has expertise on addictions treatment, education and prevention, they are a key partner in the development of our responsible gambling strategies. Alberta's Problem and Responsible Gambling Strategy reflects a shared understanding and commitment to priorities and actions in the problem and responsible gambling area.
Other key programs and initiatives conducted and managed by the AGLC and its partners include:
- Prevention campaigns to educate communities, players and the public on responsible and problem gambling. This includes print materials, used within gambling venues, designed to help players understand what gambling is, tips on gambling responsibly and where to get help if needed.
- Awareness and intervention training for gambling operators and retailers. This includes the Deal Us In program for Casino and REC staff, Reel Facts for VLT retailers and staff, and A Good Call for bingo industry staff.
- The Self-Exclusion Program is managed by AGLC but would not be successful without the cooperation and partnership of the Casino and REC Operators and AHS. The SE program is seen as an effective intervention tool at gambling venues.
- Responsible Gambling Awareness
Training: AGLC presents awareness
sessions to all AGLC staff. The training sessions continue to be offered
twice per year to ensure all new employees receive an understanding
of both responsible and problem gambling and what we are doing to prevent, educate and help.
- Responsible Gambling Information Centres (RGICs) are information kiosks that have been placed in a number of Alberta casinos and the Northlands Racing Entertainment Centre (REC). It is anticipated that all Alberta casinos and the major RECs will feature RGICs by the end of 2012.
RGICs are staffed by an AGLC representative who is available to discuss responsible gambling and provide on-site education and information about gambling in general, such as the average cost to play, how a slot machine operates, gambling myths and facts and how wagering and payouts work. The RGIC rep can also provide referrals to agencies that offer assistance with problem gambling.
Each RGIC is equiped with a Player Awareness Terminal (PAT). These terminals feature a series of interactive screens that offer a self-test and tips to gamblers on how to develop safe, responsible personal gambling guidelines.
- GamTalk - Online Support Forum has been launched as Canada's first moderated, national support forum for gamblers to discuss concerns, ask questions and get advice online. Counsellors monitor the site 24/7 and if a crisis or any other situation occurs, the counsellors are there to support the users.
The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling, of which AGLC is a member, is supporting GamTalk through a one-year sponsorship agreement.
Resources:
Problem and Responsible Gambling Strategy
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