Responsible Gambling

Responsible Gambling: Our Commitment to You

Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan promotes responsible gambling practices and ensures the activities of our operators are conducted in a fair, transparent, and socially responsible manner.

Operators have a range of tools and resources available to help people maintain a healthy balance between gambling and other aspects of their lives, including:

  • Age verification: Strict enforcement of age requirements to prevent underage gambling.
  • Player education: Resources and tips to help you play responsibly and recognize the signs of problem gambling.
  • Self-exclusion programs: Voluntarily exclude yourself from participating in gambling activities for a specified period.
  • Support services: Access to helplines and counseling services for those who may be experiencing gambling-related issues.

 

What should I do if I think I, or someone I know, has a gambling problem? Saskatchewan Health co-ordinates treatment, prevention and education services for problem gambling in co-operation with regional health authorities, community-based organizations, gaming industry representatives and community stakeholders. A range of programs, services and strategies focus on intervention and treatments services, prevention, and public information. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. The Problem Gambling Help Line provides professional counseling as well as confidential referral and information services. Call toll-free at 1-800-306-6789 or visit the Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline.

 

Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Initiatives

The Problem Gambling Helpline provides 24-hour help to people with gambling problems and their families. Callers receive confidential, professional service from trained counsellors, free of charge. The helpline provides:

  • information
  • short-term counselling

  • crisis intervention services

  • referrals to regional health authority problem gambling counsellors and self-help groups.

 

Gambling Responsibly: Informed Decisions

SLGA's "Gambling Responsibly" brochure provides information to help VLT players make informed decisions about their play. The brochure provides an overview on house advantage, randomness, responsible gambling features on VLT machines and discusses some gambling myths and facts.

 

Playing VLTs

 

Responsible Gambling Features on Saskatchewan’s VLT Network

Players on Saskatchewan’s network of video lottery terminals (VLTs) have access to tools and information that support responsible gambling and informed decision-making. Every play on a VLT has a random outcome, meaning that no one can accurately predict what combinations or results will occur next. Responsible gambling features include:

  • Players are limited to a one-time bill insertion of $100, and a forced cash-out will occur once the balance reaches $1,750.
  • The amount of money won or lost is displayed in dollars rather than credits to inform players of the amount of money spent during a gambling session.
  • A permanent on-screen clock helps increase gamblers’ awareness of time spent gambling.
  • Players can pre-select a time limit of up to 60 minutes per gambling session. Players can extend this time limit only once before an automatic cash-out occurs.
  • Responsible gambling messaging on the VLTs educates gamblers on concepts such as randomness, the cost of play, and the importance of setting time and money limits.
  • The Player Services Account is an additional voluntary responsible gambling tool that allows players to set time and spending limits, review their time and spending history, and learn how VLTs work.

 

Responsible Gambling for VLT Site Operators

LGS provides operators of VLT sites throughout the province with mandatory training on the responsible operation of VLTs. The training program is mandatory for at least one VLT site owner or manager, and expires after five years. The training program assists VLT site contractors to:

  • identify and dispel myths and misconceptions regarding gambling;
  • understand concepts such as randomness and odds;
  • understand random number generators and how VLTs operate; and
  • identify signs and methods of addressing problem gambling behaviour.

In addition, a responsible gambling features poster is available for VLT site operators to display for players.

 

Gambling Myths Campaign

LGS helps fund a province-wide gambling myths media campaign coordinated by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. The campaign’s objective is to correct faulty beliefs related to how gambling works and to educate gamblers about common myths that can contribute to people developing gambling-related problems. Myth-busting posters have been featured on bus shelters, bus interiors and outdoor and indoor billboards. To learn more about gambling facts and myths, visit the Ministry of Health.

 

Canadian Responsible Gambling Association

LGS, SaskGaming and other provincial gambling operators in Canada are participating members of the Canadian Responsible Gambling Association (CRGA). The CRGA pursues opportunities for collaboration and works to advance the level, effectiveness and operational integration of responsible gambling programming within the Canadian gaming industry.

 

Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling

Established in 2004, the Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling (CPRG) is a collaboration of non-profit organizations, gaming providers, research centres and regulators working to find and promote effective ways of reducing the risk of problem gambling. For more information, visit the CPRG website.