Problem and Responsible Gambling Strategy

The Alberta Lottery Fund provides funding towards Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC's) budget for gambling and liquor addiction education, prevention and treatment programs and services.

The purpose of the new joint Problem and Responsible Gambling Strategy is to continually review emerging trends and issues in the field to ensure a shared understanding and commitment to priorities and actions in the problem and reponsible gambling area.

Self -Exclusion Program

The Self-Exclusion Program is for players who wish to be excluded from play at casinos and racing entertainment centres. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) has teamed up with the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) and the gaming industry to develop new programs to assist problem gamblers. The Casino and Racing Entertainment Centre (REC) Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program is a program designed for those who feel it is in their best interest not to participate in casino gaming activities. By submitting an application to the AGLC, participants can voluntarily agree to be excluded from entering all Alberta casinos and RECs for a specified time period. Participants choose the length of the exclusion period (minimum six months to maximum three years) and can be charged with an offence pursuant to the Gaming and Liquor Act of Alberta if they violate the agreement. The program is administered by the AGLC and enforced by casino security staff. Some Alberta casinos have offered "in-house" self-exclusion programs, but the AGLC's involvement will help provide consistency and province-wide delivery. Application forms can be downloaded and are also available at each of Alberta's casinos and AGLC offices in St. Albert and Calgary. For more information on this program, contact the Social Responsibility Division in the St. Albert AGLC office at (780) 447-7420 or 1-800-272-8876 during business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday excluding holidays.

Deal Us In Program
The Deal Us In Program is a mandatory training program for all Casino and Racing Entertainment Centre (REC) staff. It is a very important part of the government's commitment to responsibility in Alberta's gaming industry.

The goal of the Deal Us In Program is to help casino and REC staff and management develop knowledge and skills to assist gamblers in their venues who may be experiencing problems as a result of their gambling.
The Program currently has two phases:

Phase One is a three hour awareness training session for all front line staff, which includes role play scenarios. Staff are trained in understanding and identifying problem gambling behaviours and referring to gaming centre management. The rationale for this is that knowledgeable staff with adequate internal support mechanisms are more likely to identify and refer at-risk gamblers to their supervisors.

The objectives of Phase I training are that, upon completion, participants will be able to:

• understand how problem gambling develops, 
• identify the key signs of problem gambling,
• identify on-site behaviours that indicate a gambler may be experiencing problems as a result of his/her gambling, and 
• identify the staff member's role in the process of assisting a customer in obtaining help.

Phase Two is more intensive training for management and security staff selected by the casino or REC. Phase two provides intervention techniques and role play scenarios.

The primary purpose of this training is to provide information about how to respond appropriately to employee referrals and to train personnel to conduct interventions. How management and intervention staff respond to employee referrals is critical.
The objectives of Phase II training are that, upon completion, participants will be able to:

• identify criteria for determining whether an intervention is warranted,
• identify intervention strategies,
• perform interventions if warranted,
• know how to respond to employee referrals, and
• identify available community resources.

Clearly posting AADAC signage and establishing policies to deal with parents who abandon or leave children unsupervised are mandatory components of the Deal Us In program.

For more information about the Deal Us In Program, please contact the AGLC.

Tips for Responsible Gambling

Most people would agree that gambling is exciting. As a form of entertainment, gambling can be an enjoyable activity, like going to the movies or out for dinner. To help you manage gambling in the same carefree manner as other entertainment choices, here are a few ideas:

• Remember, the house always has the advantage.
• Before playing, educate yourself on how the game works.
• Set a budget and stick to it.
• Do not chase losses, accept them as a cost for the entertainment.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Use only money from your entertainment budget; do not borrow money.
• Balance gambling with your other leisure choices.
• Know the warning signs of problem gambling.