Responsible Gambling Awareness Week - October 20-26, 2008

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2008

With the message 'Play Smart. Gamble Responsibly.' the AGLC and its gaming industry partners presented the second annual Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW). RGAW focuses on encouraging players in gambling venues to gamble in a responsible manner.

Having begun this annual event in 2007 with a focus on casinos and racing entertainment centres, for 2008 the week expanded into VLT retail outlets and bingo halls. With this campaign growth, the AGLC and its partners in RGAW were able to bring the message of the need to gamble responsibly into approximately 1,140 additional gambling venues.

The addition of VLT venues and bingo halls also brought on additional partners in support of the week, with the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association, the Canadian restaurant and Foodservices Association and Bingo Alberta joining the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission, the Alberta Charitable Casino Operators, and AADAC (now Alberta Health Services).

Events for 2008 consisted of Open houses in the AGLCs in-casino Responsible Gambling Information Centres (RGICs). During these casual and informative drop-in events, RGIC representatives talked with casino patrons and shared information through demonstrations, videos, and various RGIC brochures.