OLG’s Responsible Gambling Program again recognized as Best in The World

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is honoured to receive the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) 2018 Best Overall Responsible Gambling Program award in recognition of its PlaySmart program.

OLG received this international recognition for the first time in 2014 and is the only lottery and gaming organization in the world to win this award twice. The WLA made the announcement during its biennial World Lottery Summit held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Presented every two years, the award recognizes excellence in responsible gambling and rewards the gaming and lottery organization with the best overall program from among the more than 80-member countries. Eligibility for the top prize is limited to gaming operators with level 4 certification, the WLA’s highest level off accreditation.

“OLG’s Responsible Gambling program is driven by a simple vision: to provide a healthy and positive gambling experience for all players,” said Stephen Rigby, OLG’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have a responsibility to our customers, employees, as well as our business and community partners, to provide the most effective programming that promotes positive play and mitigates harmful gambling.”

In particular, the WLA recognized PlaySmart’s strategic approach to responsible gambling, its commitment to continuous improvement and its success in implementing robust and innovative training programs for retailers and employees.

OLG’s Responsible Gambling program – PlaySmart – provides an innovative approach to player education, using engaging multimedia content at province-wide gaming sites, live events, online and through social media. PlaySmart aims to help gamblers of all levels to better understand key gambling concepts, to know how the games work, and to budget their play, by making gambling education as fun and entertaining as gambling itself.

OLG builds on the strength of its Responsible Gambling program by working with independent experts in an effort to prevent problem gambling from occurring in the first place, and by strengthening the bridge to support services for those who need it.

OLG upholds the importance of responsible gambling by requiring service providers who operate Ontario’s gaming sites to adhere to OLG’s rigorous RG standards and controls. The PlaySmart program is evidence-informed, designed and delivered in collaboration with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the Responsible Gambling Council, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, ConnexOntario and Credit Canada.

OLG is a crown agency that develops world-class gaming entertainment for the Province of Ontario. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; PlayOLG Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping to build a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $47 billion to the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment, prevention and research of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year, proceeds from OLG’s operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario

Source: OLG Winners