Last week saw the launch of a new PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview Casino Resort providing more inviting and educational space for patrons. The opening of the redesigned and relocated centre saw the arrival of representatives of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Responsible Gambling Council, and the operator of the casino, Mohegan Gaming, who celebrated the occasion.

The aim of the revamped centre is to provide an information space for players who want to take a break from playing, learn, and utilize advice and resources to support positive players and help keep fun in the game. Located in the Galleria by Ponte Vecchio, it’s projected to attract even more visitors to familiarize themselves with the available interactive and responsible play tools.

Aiding Patrons in Making Informed Playing Choices

Catherine Meade, VP, Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, OLG noted that PlaySmart Centres like the new one at the Niagara Falls casino are a crucial part of the Crown’s globally recognized, award-winning responsible gambling program, PlaySmart. She remarked centres are equipped with interactive tools and resources to help players make informed decisions.

OLG’s renowned PlaySmart program aids patrons in building knowledge, understanding the risks, learning valuable insights on personal playing behaviour and engaging in positive play habits. It also comes with My PlayBreak, which is one of the first voluntary self-exclusion programs in Canada and helps gamblers who wish to take a break from their playing activities.

Players should be aware that PlaySmart Centres are located at all Ontario casinos and charitable gaming centres are run by the Responsible Gambling Council. Since April 2019, these venues have clocked over half a million visitors. For instance, last year alone, the PlaySmart Centre at Fallsview Casino Resort helped over 13,000 individuals.

Meanwhile, OLG is pleased to see the recognition for its responsible gambling program. It was recently named as a finalist in four separate Global Regulatory Awards, including the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling, Compliance Rising Star Special Award; the Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Responsible Gambling; and the Responsible Approach to Advertising or Marketing Award.

These recent recognitions improve on the OLG’s past achievements from other global organizations. It has also been certified by the World Lottery Association at the highest level since 2010 and has been given the best overall RG program by the WLA twice. Last year, OLG also received endorsement from the North American State and Provincial Lotteries.

Promoting Inclusion

In addition to responsible gambling, OLG also touts progress in diversity. Earlier this year, the corporation was included in Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity for 2023. Out of 150 companies in the honourable list, it ranked in 70th place in 2023. OLG believes in creating a culture of inclusion where its employees’ differences are valued, celebrated and seen as strengths.

Source: “New PlaySmart Centre Opens at Fallsview Casino Resort” OLG, September 29, 2023