The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority provides guidance and support to various social responsibility initiatives.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness

SLGA continues to assist in the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the province. FASD is caused by alcohol use during pregnancy, and leads to life-long learning and behavioural difficulties in affected children.

SLGA is a member of the Provincial FASD Co-ordinating Committee, chaired by the Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps. The committee has representatives from a number of government agencies, as well as community and aboriginal groups. SLGA supports public awareness initiatives undertaken by the Provincial FASD Co-ordinating Committee. In addition, Liquor store bags and till tapes display the FASD awareness message: "Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm the baby. We have fetal alcohol syndrome in our community - let's find a solution."

Designated Driver Program

SLGA, in partnership with the Hotels Association of Saskatchewan (HAS), Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and Saskatchewan Health, funds a provincial designated driver program, Have Someone for the Road. SLGA has supported the program with annual funding since the program was established in 1995.

Have Someone for the Road promotes the message that individuals should not drink and drive, by encouraging groups to designate a driver. When visiting a participating liquor-permitted establishment, the designated driver receives a wristband or hand stamp to identify him or her to the server. The driver receives free, non-alcoholic beverages, and in turn, ensures his or her group gets home safely.

SLGA also promotes the responsible use of beverage alcohol through its retail outlets. Since 1995-96, liquor store bags and cash register tapes have carried the Have Someone for the Road designated driver message.

Identification Programs

The Please Bring Your I.D. program was launched in 1999, and updated in late 2001, to reflect the launch of new mandatory photo driver's licences in the province.

The program was developed by SLGA, with the co-operation and support of the HAS and the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. It was introduced as a measure to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors through the use of false identification. The program is mandatory in the province’s liquor stores, and optional for the hospitality industry. The program requires customers, if they are asked, to provide three pieces of valid identification.

Serve It Right: It’s Good Business

SLGA, in a partnership with SGI, Saskatchewan Health, the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC) and Labatt Breweries, continues to support the Serve It Right: It’s Good Business server intervention program. The program, which is co-ordinated by STEC, trains servers in liquor permitted establishments in the use of effective intervention techniques if a patron demonstrates a problem with alcohol. SLGA has a representative on the program’s committee and contributes to its overall direction and activities. For more information about the program click here.

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 and the Saskatchewan Responsible Gaming Association (SRGA). SRGA has a diverse membership which is committed to the ongoing development of programs and services to further the concept and actions of responsible gaming.

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

Responsible Use of VLTs

In administering the VLT program, SLGA is committed to its vision of the responsible use of this gaming product. The VLT network is carefully controlled and regulated and VLTs are only allowed in age-restricted liquor-permitted establishments. SLGA instituted a problem-gambling customer assistance training program in 1999, and continues to offer the training. The program requires one person from each VLT site to attend a one-day training session aimed at providing education on the issue of problem gambling, including: recognizing signs and symptoms; enhancing awareness of provincial and community programs, services and resources available; and providing tools to develop socially responsible business practices. All of Saskatchewan's VLTs feature responsible gaming software.