RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

Niagara Casinos works cooperatively with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and external professional agencies, including the Responsible Gambling Council, to provide a safe and responsible gaming environment for our guests.

Casino gambling has been available in Ontario for decades.  While most people patronize casinos to engage in gaming simply for fun and entertainment, there is a small percentage of people who have difficulty managing their play.

One of the most important measures in addressing problem gambling is increasing public awareness and informing people about how to get help if required. Accordingly, Niagara Casinos has implemented a program of responsible gaming which focuses on Customer Awareness and Support, Community Awareness and Employee Education and Training.

  

PlaySmart Centre

PlaySmart Centre

We are pleased to announce the grand opening of our new PlaySmart Centre located in the Galleria by Ponte Vecchio.

PlaySmart Centres are your source for gambling knowledge, finding help, or just taking a fun break. In partnership with OLG, PlaySmart Centres are located at every Casino and Charitable Bingo & Gaming Centre across Ontario and are operated by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC).

The PlaySmart Centre provides players with educational resources, support and advice through interactive game kiosks, videos or simply by talking to one of the knowledgeable PlaySmart Centre staff. Onsite every day from 10am to 2am, the Centre offers daily coffee service from 3pm to 5pm – a perfect spot for players to take a break.

Responsible Gambling Statement of Commitment

Niagara Casinos is committed to sharing information on Responsible Gambling.  We promote Responsible Gambling through various marketing channels on a quarterly basis.

Niagara Casinos is committed to reducing the incidence of problem gambling and to curbing harm to those who may have developed a problem. Our commitment to Responsible Gambling is integral to our business and a condition of our success.

Customer Awareness

Niagara Casinos strives to provide customers with facts, tools and advice to make smart choices and keep gambling fun. Niagara Casinos hosts a PlaySmart area where customers can take a break from gambling to learn more about how games work by using an interactive game kiosk, viewing educational videos, or the use of a direct phone line to speak with a professionally trained staff member of the Responsible Gambling Council at the PlaySmart Center located onsite at Fallsview Casino Resort.   

ConnexOntario telephone number 1 (866) 531-2600 is posted on various slot machines and at various locations around the property. The Helpline provides 24-hour confidential information and referral service, seven days a week, in many languages.

For customers that wish to take an extended break from gambling, Niagara Casinos provides the opportunity to enroll in My PlayBreak: OLG's Self-Exclusion tool, which prohibits one from accessing all Ontario casinos for a select period of time. 

Customers should consider Self-Exclusion enrollment if;

·      Gambling is stressing your finances, health or relationships,
·      Stopping or taking an extend break will help you feel more in control
·      You want to commit to changing your gambling habits

Download the Responsible Gambling Brochure

Community Awareness

Niagara Casinos is committed to increasing awareness about problem gambling in the surrounding community. Periodicals, newspaper and radio advertisements all highlight the issue of problem gambling and the agencies to which those affected can turn to for help.

Employee Awareness and Training

Niagara Casinos provides ongoing training for associates which focuses on; educating customers on how games work, recognizing the signs and symptoms of problem gambling, how to assist customers by providing responsible gaming information, and referral knowledge.

Restrictions on Underage Gaming

To help ensure a high level of integrity, OLG gaming activities are tightly regulated, controlled and include strict provisions preventing access to minors. Restrictions on underage access are strictly enforced. Ontario has significant penalties for selling gambling products to minors with fines up to $200,000. The minimum age to play a game of chance in an Ontario casino is 19 years old. Lottery ticket sales are restricted to those 18 years and older.

Government of Ontario Commitment

The provincial government continues to allocate approximately $38 million annually from OLG revenues to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for problem gambling prevention, research, and efforts.

When is gambling a problem?

Problem gambling is gambling that is done excessively or negatively affects areas of a person’s life, such as their physical or mental health, school or work performance, finances, and/or interpersonal relationships.

People with gambling problems may bet with money they can't afford to lose, max out their credit cards, borrow money to gamble, or do things which compromise their personal values to support their gambling activity. Despite these negative actions, they may deny that they have a problem, continue to chase losses, neglect family, friends, work, or their own self-care. Problem gambling can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race or social status.

Tips for safer gambling

  • Set limits – both time and money
  • Don't regard gambling as a way to make money
  • Always gamble with money that you can afford to lose
  • Never chase losses
  • Don't gamble when you are depressed or upset

Visit www.playsmart.ca for more information.

How do I obtain a Win/Loss Statement?

To obtain a Win/Loss Statement, visit any Cage Cashier and request a Win/Loss Statement Request form. You can also make the request by calling our Casino Finance department at (905) 374-6928 x24102.

How do I submit a Win/Loss Request form?

The Win/Loss Request form can be delivered to any Cage Cashier or can be faxed to (905) 353-6733 or mailed to Niagara Casinos:

Casinos of Niagara
C/O Casino Finance
P.O. Box 300
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 6T3
Canada

**Please note that any request received by mail or fax must be notarized by an attorney or certified public accountant.

Information you should know about the self-exclusion program

When you self-exclude you can choose from the following terms; 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or 5 years.

Reinstatement information can be found on https://www.playsmart.ca/finding-help/my-playbreak/new-registrants/ and administered by the Security Department. Patrons who self-exclude under the OLG My PlayBreak program will be allowed entry upon the expiry of their chosen term.

When you self-exclude at Niagara Casinos, you will be prohibited from entering all casinos in Ontario.  You will also be prohibited from gambling on the OLG’s online gaming platform at OLG.ca.

Self-excluded individuals will not receive phone calls, e-mails or promotional material from Niagara Casinos.

Self-excluded individuals who have been reinstated are not eligible to access casino credit for a period of two years after reinstatement.

If you breach your self-exclusion by entering the gaming facility, you may be subject to arrest and prosecution pursuant to the Trespass to Property Act, RSO 1990.

Individuals who wish to register via the Online Video Self-Exclusion option, (including requests for Common Self-Exclusion), will send an email to Self-Exclusion@olg.ca or call the OLG Support Centre at 1-800-387-0098, to initiate the process of scheduling their registration meeting.

Facial Recognition technology is in use at Niagara Casinos to assist casino staff to identify self-excluded individuals if they enter the casino.

Resources

CONNEXONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING TREATMENT SERVICES
This toll free, anonymous and confidential helpline provides listening, support, referral and information: 1-866-531-2600
Visit www.connexontario.ca

PLAYSMART CENTRE AT FALLSVIEW CASINO RESORT
6380 Fallsview Boulevard, Main Floor
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7X5
Phone: 905-371-0774
Toll Free: 1-866-312-6807

COMMUNITY ADDICTION SERVICES OF NIAGARA (CASON)
60 James Street, Suite 401
St. Catharines, ON
Phone: 905-684-1183

OLG SUPPORT CENTER
Toll Free: 1-800-387-0098
PlaySmart.ca
Get the facts on how games work, odds and more, or learn about support resources.