Commitment to responsible gambling includes boosting funding for community-based gambling harm mitigation programs

TORONTO, ON – Protecting player health is a top priority for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and investing in responsible gambling remains a cornerstone of our business. As part of this commitment, OLG directed $22 million in fiscal 2022-23 million to responsible gambling (RG) programming and resources, including PlaySmart Centres, education and technology, program delivery, staff training, and self-exclusion including capital costs for facial recognition systems.

“March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, an important time dedicated to increasing public awareness of problem gambling and related prevention, treatment and recovery services,” said Catherine Meade, OLG’s Vice-President of Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility. “At OLG, player health is our priority all year round. We have an unwavering focus on engaging players and preventing gambling harm across all our offerings and products — and we will never stop pursuing the highest standard for RG and investing in our globally recognized PlaySmart program.”

OLG’s PlaySmart program is leading the way in helping players build knowledge, understand risks, and engage in positive play. OLG takes a collaborative approach to RG and the PlaySmart program. We are proud to work with a range of independent expert groups, including Greo Evidence Insights, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council.

Investing in community-based programs

In 2023, OLG provided an initial round of funding for the Community Investment Program (CIP) which supports community projects that aim to prevent and reduce gambling harm in vulnerable and underserved populations. Greo Evidence Insights — an independent knowledge translation and exchange organization with 25 years of experience working in gambling — independently awards funding and oversees the program. In 2024, OLG is increasing its contribution to the CIP, bringing the two-year total investment in this program to $760,000.

Upgrading PlaySmart Centres

RGC operates all PlaySmart Centres (PSCs) in Ontario casinos and Charitable Gaming Centers on behalf of OLG. This year, OLG and RGC began work to renovate PSCs at casinos to create more inviting and informative educational space for players to take a break and learn about positive play, as well as to access help if needed.

RG employee training and education

On March 6, OLG hosted a PlaySmart forum for OLG staff across the organization. The event featured expert guest speakers and educational workshops to equip employees with the tools and knowledge they need to keep player health at the forefront of all aspects of our business.

In addition, for more than two decades, OLG has been a proud supporter of the RGC Discovery conference, which brings together industry leaders from around the world with a goal to drive positive change in RG through meaningful discussion, research and knowledge sharing. This year’s conference is taking place from March 25 to 27.

PlaySmart Program Certifications and Recognition

OLG’s PlaySmart program has maintained the highest level of World Lottery Association (WLA) certification (level 4) since 2010. In addition, all casinos in Ontario are certified through the RGC’s RG Check —- one of the most rigorous RG accreditation programs in the world. OLG’s online gaming platform, OLG.ca has been RG Check-certified since 2018.

The PlaySmart program continues to receive international recognition. In May 2023, OLG was proud to be named the “Socially Responsible Operator of the Year” at the SBC North America Awards. And, in November 2023, OLG received the Vixio Global Regulatory Award for Responsible Advertising for our PlaySmart Lunar New Year campaign.

OLG is committed to remaining a leader in RG. For more information on the PlaySmart program and to learn about how to play games, odds and strategies, and facts about gambling, please visit PlaySmart.ca.

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 generated approximately $59 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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