Canada
Why Nova Scotia Won’t Ban Problem Gamblers from Casinos
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The Nova Scotia government won’t ban problem gamblers from going to the province’s casinos. The decision was announced on Monday, following an online survey in which the government asked Nova Scotians if it should ban people who don’t want to gamble from casinos and slot facilities. The government says 86 per cent of the 3,000 people who responded said no; 15 per cent said yes and one per cent didn’t know or refused to answer.
However, Health Minister Leo Glavine also said that, if a problem gambler has gambling problems, the matter should be dealt with through the justice system or addiction services.
A brief history of gambling in Canada
Gambling has been a part of Canadian culture for centuries, with many Canadians taking part in different forms of gambling including lotteries and casinos. However, as gambling becomes more accessible, an increasing number of Canadians are developing gambling problems. This led to the introduction of Bill C-290, which proposed stricter regulations on the industry to protect problem gamblers. The bill was passed unanimously by Parliament but was never fully implemented due to a lack of funding.
Gambling in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has long been known as the center of gambling in Canada and is home to over 1,000 slot machines. A recent push from anti-gambling groups to ban problem gamblers from entering casinos was dismissed by Premier Stephen McNeil as they believe it would be a violation of their freedom. In place of this, they have created a voluntary exclusion program that would allow people who are struggling with gambling addiction to voluntarily exclude themselves from casinos. Many online casinos that legally operate in Nova Scotia also welcome any one willing to bet.
Gambling addiction facts
Problem gambling is a serious and persistent public health problem. About 1-3% of the population has a gambling addiction, which means there are about 250,000 people in Canada who need help. It’s estimated that about 10% of the population gambles at any one time, but this doesn’t mean they’re all addicted to it.
Gambling disorder is considered an impulse control disorder like other impulse control disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and pathological gambling. Gambling disorder can be difficult to diagnose because gamblers may not be aware they have a problem until their life is impacted negatively by their behavior.
In general, provinces regulate casinos, but municipalities can create bylaws that prohibit or restrict casino development on their territory.
The connection between problem gamblers and casinos
Problem gamblers can be defined as people who spend an excessive amount of money on gambling or individuals who have trouble controlling their gambling behavior. There are many different factors that contribute to the development of a problem gambler, but it is often believed that spending time in a casino increases the risk for developing these behaviors.
Casinos are designed to make gambling more enticing by providing a variety of options and rewarding players with freebies. The layout of casinos contributes to this too – they are laid out so that slot machines and table games surround the player, which makes it difficult for them to leave without passing by even more gambling opportunities. The tendency of casinos to offer customers easy access to everything they want at any hour also encourages longer play sessions and worsens gambling addiction.
How can we solve this problem?
Nova Scotia should consider introducing a self-exclusion program that would allow people to voluntarily ban themselves from casinos. This would make sense because casinos are the only place problem gamblers can legally gamble. They also offer other forms of entertainment such as live music, movies, and restaurants.
Self-exclusion programs have proven effective in other countries with gambling addiction issues, so this could be a good way to stop problem gambling while allowing those who don’t have an issue to enjoy themselves.
Problem gamblers and online casino
Problem gamblers are no different than alcoholics or drug addicts, but the stigma around gambling addiction is much less. These people need help and support just like any other addict would. Banning them from casinos doesn’t mean they won’t continue to gamble; it just means they will do it in private and without help.
The government needs to focus on prevention and rehabilitation for this issue, not punishment. The focus should be on those who suffer from a gambling addiction rather than those who don’t. We know there’s going to be more at-risk populations if we don’t offer some sort of service, said Smith. If you’re doing harm reduction, then let’s look at those folks first.
In summary
Nova Scotia’s gambling regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Authority of Nova Scotia (AGANS), has said that it will not ban problem gamblers from casinos. The decision comes after a recent report by the provincial government found that an estimated 11% of casino patrons are problem gamblers, up from 7% five years ago.
There is no evidence that banning these people from casinos would reduce their gaming activity. Rather than banning them, AGANS has chosen to implement a self-exclusion program where problem gamblers can voluntarily sign themselves out.
A self-exclusion program has been in place at the Casino Nova Scotia since 2006.
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Canada
ROGA Launches National College Education Campaign
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The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has launched the “Know Your Play” campaign in partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). This is a major initiative designed to provide college-aged students with detailed content focused on responsible gaming, mental health and well-being, and financial literacy.
“College students are learning to navigate newfound financial independence and equipping this age group with resources to make informed decisions that can build good financial habits will serve them throughout their lives, whether they engage in gaming or not. While previous programs have focused on student-athletes, our campaign intends to educate the broader student population about responsible gaming concepts that can help this age group set realistic expectations and see gaming as a form of entertainment, not as a way of making money,” ROGA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shatley said.
The campaign utilizes digital learning tools, resources, and videos available to all college-aged students at knowyourplay.org, even if they are not enrolled in a university. These resources will educate students on key responsible gaming concepts, including randomness, impulsiveness, and limit setting, while addressing myths like the illusion of control in sports betting. It will also focus on the role stress and mental health play in overall student wellbeing and provide practical tips for management. Additionally, extended resources will be piloted with select universities.
“EPIC has vast expertise and experience in creating programs that resonate with college-aged audiences and are delighted to partner with ROGA on a campaign that will provide critical education to college students across the country. By combining expert knowledge with personal stories, our program aims to foster a well-rounded understanding of financial literacy, decision-making, and risk-taking,” Teresa Fiore, SVP of Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, said.
The campaign will begin rolling out at college campuses over the next several weeks with in-person learning sessions and workshops in tandem with digital delivery tools for greater accessibility and reach, ensuring that the program effectively engages students across diverse campuses and demographics.
“College life presents unique pressures, from financial independence to academic performance, all of which can impact mental health. By fostering decision-making skills that bridge these areas, we’re helping students build resilience, manage stress, and develop healthy habits that will serve them well beyond their college years,” Kindbridge Group CEO Daniel Umfleet, said.
“College students face an increased risk of harm from gambling, making prevention education essential in protecting this important audience. RGC has a long history of creating prevention programs for young adults, and we are proud to partner with ROGA on this crucial initiative. This campaign will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions should they choose to gamble. By providing valuable information, digital tools, and resources, we are empowering young adults to approach gambling with a lower-risk mindset and reduce potential harm,” RGC CEO Sarah McCarthy said.
The post ROGA Launches National College Education Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
Siyata Mobile Announces New Order from Leading Canadian Gaming and Entertainment Company
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Siyata Mobile Inc, a global vendor of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices and cellular signal booster systems, announced a new order for SD7 handsets and related accessories for a new customer, a leading gaming and entertainment company located in Canada.
This order marks one of Siyata’s first entries into the gaming and casino industry, a sector with significant growth potential for the Company. The customer operates dozens of gaming, entertainment, and hospitality venues across Canada and will deploy the SD7 handsets for Push-to-Talk (PTT) communications among its security and maintenance teams.
“This new order is an exciting milestone for Siyata as we expand further into the gaming and casino market. There is a growing industry trend toward modern, cellular-based communication solutions. Casinos require reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use communication tools with exceptional audio clarity, and our SD7 handsets and accessories are an ideal fit for those demands. This casino is replacing traditional Land Mobile Radio (LMR) two-way radios with advanced PoC technology for its security and maintenance personnel. The SD7’s robust capabilities, including instant push-to-talk functionality and superior coverage, make it an attractive choice for businesses prioritizing security and operational efficiency,” Marc Seelenfreund, CEO of Siyata Mobile, said.
The post Siyata Mobile Announces New Order from Leading Canadian Gaming and Entertainment Company appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars
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CasinoCanada, the number one gambling guide for players in Canada, is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Ocean Spin a brand under the umbrella of LaLa Stars.
This collaboration marks an exciting step in CasinoCanada’s mission to provide its audience with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on top gaming experiences.
The partnership agreement will grant LaLa Stars premium visibility across high-traffic sections of CasinoCanada’s website, which has been a trusted source for Canadian players for over 20 years.
LaLa Stars presents itself as an affiliate program that generates double-digit profits by making it easy and enjoyable to promote the brands. The program features a memorable design, a player-centric retention system, top-tier payment options, and game providers. Fast payments, flexible commission models, high-converting brands, powerful reporting, no middlemen, and outstanding conversion make LaLa Stars a popular choice. Additional company benefits are: a revenue share of up to 60%, a CPA of up to €500, hybrid CPA.
Ocean Spin Casino, a brand of LaLa Stars company, despite being quite new on the iGaming market, is a huge online gambling platform where all casino newcomers are greeted with a welcome bonus of 100% for up to €500, and 200 free spins plus one Bonus Crab. It comes as a first deposit bonus for a minimum deposit amount of €20. Sports-betting enthusiasts can also claim a welcome bonus of 100% for up to €100.
Ocean Spin Casino’s games include: gaming machines, roulette blackjack, betting, video poker, bingo, baccarat, jackpot games, and live games.
“We are excited to meet our new partner Ocean Spin Casino, and hope to bring maximum use and value to our community,” said Aleksandra Drigo, Sales Director at CasinoCanada. “This partnership perfectly reflects our dedication to highlighting the best in the gaming industry while offering our audience valuable insights and chances to experience top-notch gaming. We hope for a productive and long-term partnership!”
The partnership is now live, featuring LaLa Stars reviews and exclusive offers on the CasinoCanada website. This collaboration is set to deliver even more thrilling updates, exclusive content, and personalized promotions for the Canadian gambling community.
The post CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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