OLG helps patrons to be responsible gamers

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO LOTTERY AND GAMING CORP.

***************************** Responsible gaming resources centres now open at all OLG casinos and slot facilities

TORONTO - (April 29) - Patrons at every Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) casino and slot facility across Ontario now have convenient access to a valuable resource.

OLG fulfilled a commitment to open responsible gaming resource centres (RGRC) at each of its 27 gaming facilities across the province.

"As a public agency, OLG has no option but to ensure we push ourselves and meet the higher standard of responsible gaming," says Paul Godfrey, chair of the board, OLG. "RGRCs started as a test program at two gaming sites, and in a few short years, have proven a vital tool in our responsible gaming strategy and, we are proud to say, are now open in every OLG facility province wide."

In partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), these centres provide OLG patrons with access to valuable information about safer gambling practices, assistance and referrals for help, if necessary.

"If you want to talk to gamblers, it makes great sense to have information services available where people actually gamble," says Jon Kelly, CEO, RGC.

The responsible gaming resource centres are operated by the RGC, and receive funding and space from OLG.

Eight centres are fully staffed by problem gambling specialists.

Information provided to the RGRC staff is confidential.

Other centres are self service kiosks.

Almost 170,000 people visited an RGRC last year.

The RGRCs are one part of OLG's responsible gaming program.

OLG takes some of the most comprehensive steps in any jurisdiction in the world to help those who have a gambling problem.

They include:

- Extensive training for our 6,000 plus gaming staff with help from partners such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

- Supporting independent problem gambling research with third-party experts from the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre and the Responsible Gambling Council.

- Continuing education for players and the public at large through our website KnowYourLimit.ca.

- Launching new player-focused educational campaigns including "It Pays to Know" that shows people how our games work and educates them on common gambling myths and facts.

- Final phase of testing new technology in facial recognition to support our voluntary self exclusion program.

In the last decade, OLG has provided more than $300 million in funding to the provincial government for education, research, prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

OLG's commitment to responsible gaming is a cornerstone of our mission to create a positive gaming experience for the people of Ontario.

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities.

Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $28 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario.

Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

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