Responsible Gambling Information Centres (RGICs)
Located on the gaming floor in several Alberta casinos and racing entertainment centres, the RGICs kiosks staffed by representatives who meet with casino customers and/or interested family and friends, to discuss, educate and provide information regarding responsible and problem gambling. RGIC representatives understand the differences between responsible and problem gambling and can help gamblers identify and establish responsible gambling behaviours.
The RGIC representatives demonstrate the odds, randomness and the real cost of gambling through a variety of demonstration tools, including the Player Awareness Terminals (PATs), the Cost-of-Play Calculator and a video, among others.
Players Awareness Terminal (PAT)
Located at all RGIC s, the PAT is a standalone kiosk that features a series of interactive screens that offer patrons a multitude of information on responsible and problem gambling including: a self-test; information to dispel gambling myths; as well as tips for gamblers on how to develop safe, personal responsible gambling guidelines.
Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Program
In Alberta, if someone feels that he/she is having trouble controlling his/her gambling, enrolling in the casino and racing entertainment centre (REC) VSE program is one option. This program enables the participant to voluntarily ban him/herself from all Alberta casinos and RECs for a specified period of time (ranging from six months to five years).
Self-exclusion enrollment can be done at either an RGIC location, casino/REC security desk or an AGLC office. A sample VSE agreement is available by clicking here.
Responsible Gambling Features on VLTs
VLT Responsible Gambling Features (RGFs) help players remain aware of the amount of time they have been playing; the dollars they have remaining during a play session; and how to get help if their gambling becomes problematic. The RGFs provide the player with a 24-hour clock; their balance in the machine in credits and dollars; pop-up reminders of how long they have been playing during a session (30, 60 and 90 minutes); and a scrolling AHS help-line number.