TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE) and Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati today celebrated the grand opening of a redesigned and relocated PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview Casino Resort.

The new centre enhances the overall gaming experience by creating a more inviting and informative educational space for players to take a break, learn, and access advice and resources to support positive play and help keep fun in the game. In its new location in the Galleria by Ponte Vecchio, the centre is expected to attract even more visitors to check out the interactive tools and responsible gambling resources available for players.

“PlaySmart Centres, like the one at Fallsview, are an important component of our globally recognized, award-winning responsible gambling program, PlaySmart,” said Catherine Meade, VP, Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, OLG. “The centres are filled with engaging interactive tools and resources to help players make informed decisions when they play our games.”  

The PlaySmart program helps players build knowledge, understand the risks, gain insights into personal playing behaviours and engage in positive play habits. It also includes My PlayBreak — one of the first voluntary self-exclusion programs in Canada — which helps players who want to take a break from play.

“We are proud of the leadership role we have earned in responsible gambling over the past 25 years, but we know we did not get here alone,” said Dave Pridmore, OLG’s Chief Gaming Officer “We work closely with our partners, like MGE and the RGC, to integrate responsible gambling across all areas of our business. This refreshed PlaySmart Centre is a great example of how we are working together so players can enjoy our games in a responsible way.”

PlaySmart Centres are located at all Ontario casinos and charitable gaming centres and are operated on behalf of OLG by the RGC. Since April 2019, these centres have received over half a million visitors. Last year alone, the PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview helped more than 13,000 people.

“RGC is proud to provide services to OLG in the day-to-day operations of PlaySmart Centres,” said Shelley White, CEO, RGC. “We’re excited about the enhanced centre at Fallsview. PlaySmart Centres are staffed with highly experienced team members who are available daily to answer questions and support players. We look forward to continuing our work with OLG and all Ontario gaming operators to provide a positive player experience across all Ontario casinos.”

“Promoting safe play and keeping our games fun for all players is important to MGE,” said Niagara Casinos President, Richard Taylor. “We’re committed to working with OLG and the RGC on an array of responsible gambling initiatives — including the new and improved PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview — which assist our guests in making informed choices.”

“The Niagara casinos are an important part of the Niagara Falls economy and a major draw for visitors to our city,” said Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati. “This new PlaySmart Centre, in its great new location, will provide valuable resources for those visiting the casinos. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

OLG is proud of the recognition its PlaySmart program continues to receive. Most recently, OLG was named as a finalist for four separate Global Regulatory Awards, including the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling; the Compliance Rising Star Special Award; the Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Responsible Gambling; and the Responsible Approach to Advertising or Marketing Award.

This recent acknowledgement builds on past achievements and recognition from other global organizations. OLG has been certified by the World Lottery Association (WLA) at the highest level (level 4) since 2010 and has twice been awarded best overall RG program by the WLA. In 2022, OLG was the first Canadian jurisdiction to receive the endorsement of the North American State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) under their responsible gambling verification program.

OLG is a crown agency that contributes to a better Ontario by delivering great entertainment experiences for our customers. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping support the horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $57 billion to the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year profits from OLG's operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.

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