From the beginning, both Casino Windsor and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) have taken a leadership role on the issue of responsible gambling. While problem gambling affects a very small percentage of the population, for those people, and their families, it is a serious problem.
A University of Windsor study, supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health, concluded: A comparison of survey responses of people before and one year after the casino opened showed no statistically significant differences in either Problem or Pathological gambling levels. Four years later, another study was conducted and it showed no increase in the rate of problem gamblers. Despite this evidence, Casino Windsor continues to be proactive on the issue.
One of the most important factors in dealing with responsible gambling is to increase awareness of the issue and where people can turn for help. Casino Windsor has implemented a program of responsible gambling awareness which focuses on the customer, community and employee awareness.
Legalized gambling in Ontario is by no means a new activity. Horse racing, bingos, lotteries and charity casinos have been with us for many years, and so has problem gambling.
Problem Gambling is defined as an illness, similar in nature to alcoholism, progressive in its nature, which can never be cured, but can be arrested, and is 100 percent successfully treatable. In short, a person may be diagnosed as a problem gambler if he or she has been unable to control chronic gambling; if the gambling continues despite harm to the family and personal problems; and if other psychological characteristics are present.
The Government of Ontario through its Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has acknowledged that compulsive gambling is an addictive behaviour, a direct result of gambling activities of all kinds (lotteries, horse racing, bingos, casino gaming and charity casinos).
The Province of Ontario has committed a minimum of $10 million annually for research, treatment, prevention and public awareness.
As Operator of the first temporary commercial casino in the province, the first riverboat casino in Canada and the first permanent commercial casino in Ontario, Casino Windsor is committed to taking a leadership role in addressing the issue of responsible gambling in the Windsor-Essex County area.
Casino Windsor's Responsible Gambling Program includes the following elements:
Customer Awareness
An in-house campaign comprised of posters which highlight the Ontario Problem Gambling HelpLine, and notices on automated banking machine display screens have been produced to raise customer awareness of the issue. The external awareness campaign includes radio, print, billboards and transit busboards. The message carried by all of the display material is "Know Your Limit, Play Within It". Printed materials that highlight services offered by the Ontario Problem Gambling HelpLine (funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health) are also available within the casino.
Casino Windsor also includes the Problem Gambling HelpLine in all print advertising.
Community Awareness
To reach the broader community, newspaper and radio advertisements, as well as billboards and transit busboards which support awareness materials inside the casino, are used to highlight problem gambling as an issue and inform people of where they can turn to get help.
Staff Training
A training program for designated Casino Windsor staff focuses on recognizing the symptoms of problem gambling, crisis intervention and referral knowledge.
Responsibility
Casino Windsor's responsible role was formally recognized when it was named "1996 Casino of the Year" by the Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling (Ontario) [now known as Responsible Gaming Council (Ontario)]. This award is presented to the casino operator demonstrating a commitment to responsible gaming policies, practices and procedures.
Self-Exclusion Program
Each commercial casino has a "self-exclusion program" in which individuals can ask to be denied entry to the casino. The self-exclusion applies to all Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation gaming facilities, including commercial casinos, slot facilities at racetracks and charity casinos.
The self-exclusion remains in effect for an indefinite period.
Casino Windsor recognizes that compulsive gambling is a societal issue which cannot be ignored. The impact of problem gambling goes beyond the casino and can often affect both family and the workplace. Windsor Casino Limited firmly believes that any overall strategy to deal with issues associated with problem gambling rests with the provincial government, and that all those involved in the gaming industry including lotteries, horse racing, bingos and charity casinos, must play responsible roles.
