Joint Initiatives

Being responsible in the gaming 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:

• The Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling (CPRG)
• Interprovincial Lottery Corporation
• Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC)
• Canadian Gaming Regulators Association
• Industry Retailers and Operators
• Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA)
• Alberta Restaurant and Foodservices Association (ARFA)
• Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA)
• The Alberta Gaming Research Institute (AGRI)
• Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC)

As AADAC has expertise on addictions treatment, education and prevention, they are a key partner in the development of our responsible gambling strategies. In 2005, AADAC and the AGLC developed a joint strategy to guide the development and delivery of responsible gambling and problem gambling programs in a more co-ordinated, collabroative and sustainable manner.

The joint Problem and Responsible Gambling Strategy reflects a shared understanding and commitment to priorites and actions in the problem and responsible gambling area. Other key programs and initiatives jointly managed by AADAC and AGLC 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 gaming operators and retailers. This includes the Deal Us In Program for Casino and REC staff and the “Winning Moments” myth buster video used for VLT retailers and staff.

• The Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Program is jointly managed by AADAC and AGLC but would not be successful without the cooperation and partnership of the Casino and REC Operators. The VSE program is seen as an effective intervention tool at gaming venues.

• AADAC and AGLC co-sponsor yearly VLT Responsible Gaming Awards for VLT retailers. VLT retailers are required to provide certain services pertaining to responsible gaming awareness to their patrons in order to be eligible for an award.

• Responsible Gambling Awareness Training: AADAC and AGLC jointly presented awareness sessions to all AGLC staff. Approximately 600 AGLC employees have attended the responsible and problem gambling awareness training. The training sessions will continue to be offered twice per year to ensure all new employees receive an understanding of both responsible and problem gambling and what the two agencies are doing to prevent, educate and help.

• Responsible Gaming Information Centres (RGICs) are information kiosks that will be placed in two casino venues for a two-year pilot project. An AADAC-trained counselor/consultant will be on-site to provide education on what gambling is, how a slot machine operates, the average cost to play and provide counselling services if/when required.

• AADAC will soon offer an Enhanced Help-Line Service. Enhancements would include providing qualified counsellors for immediate service and providing website service for information, prevention and counselling.