Responsible Gambling Features and Tools

Red Shores Racetrack & Casino

Information Resources

• Responsible Gambling Information Centre (RGIC)
The RGIC is an information centre located in the back left of the gaming floor in the Charlottetown location and across from the entrance to the gaming floor in the Summerside location.  The RGIC is an environment that is comfortable, informative and user-friendly.  Within the RGIC, we offer reading materials and educational tools to help enhance player and staff knowledge on responsible gambling.

• Responsible Gambling Representatives (RG Reps)
The RG Reps are here to help create awareness to visitors, players, and staff on playing games of chance responsibly.  They offer education, information, self-exclusion program, referrals to other community agencies, and short-term counseling and support.

• Toll-Free Number for PEI Problem Gambling Helpline
A scrolling banner promoting the toll-free number is shown on each terminal on the gaming floor. Players calling the number will be connected to the PEI Problem Gambling Helpline. Information on tips to keep gambling fun is also shown on each machine.

• Informed Player Choice
Research shows that informed players make healthier gambling choices and are less likely to experience a problem with gambling.  Red Shores helps inform players by having RG posters, pamphlets, tools and tutorials throughout the facility.  There are also brochures available that describe the characteristics of every game offered at the facility, the odds of winning, and the payout percentages. Responsible Gambling announcements also play every three hours.

• Reading Resources
 Information on games offered at Red Shores along with suggestions and tips on how to play responsibly. There is also information on available community resources, resource materials, and many interesting articles related to different aspects of gambling.


Interactive Resources

• Cost Per Play Calculator
This interactive and user friendly tool helps examine the cost of play while assisting players in setting an entertainment budget.

• Slot Tutorial
This informative computer program allows players to gain a greater understanding of how slot machines work. The slot tutorial explains how odds and randomness work within the games we offer.

• Open Slot Machine
Designed to help players see the physical design of the machine.

• Mobile Access to Responsible Gambling Information (MARGI)
An interactive kiosk that offers four fun and interactive activities for players as well as responsible gambling information and community resource information.

• Internet Resources
A public use computer is located in the RGIC with limited Internet access to a variety of gambling related sites. Users could locate counseling services within the province, find the times & location of Gamblers Anonymous meetings, or go on an online support forum just to name a few of the many resources available.

No Credits or Borrowing of Cash for Players

No player will receive any line of credit or loan from Red Shores or its employees. Players are not permitted to cash cheques anywhere on the premises.

Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

The self-exclusion program enables individuals concerned about their gambling to voluntarily place themselves on a list of persons who have banned themselves from the gaming floor for a period of 6, 12, 24 or 36 months. After their exclusion time has expired, the individual has the option to begin a re-instatement process. The process involves making a written request to regain access, meeting with an RG Rep and Security Manager, and serving a 30 day waiting period. If a request for re-instatement is not made, the exclusion period continues indefinitely.

Gaming Floor Announcements
Recorded RG messages are played at intervals across the sounds system at Red Shores. These messages are intended to provide a short break in focus, allowing and encouraging players to stop for a moment and think about the time and resources they are dedicating to game play.

Responsible Service of Alcohol

It is the policy of Red Shores not to allow intoxicated individuals on the gaming floor. Individuals who are showing signs of intoxication are less likely to make healthy gambling choices. If you feel a player is showing signs of intoxication, it is your responsibility to contact Security and/or the Food and Beverage Supervisor on duty. It is not your responsibility to approach the player or ask them to leave.

No ATMs on Gaming Floor

This allows players to take a break from playing, and exit the gaming floor.

Responsible Gambling Training for Staff

Responsible gambling training provides staff with information on responsible gambling and provides tools so they know what to do when approached by a player.

19+ Policy

Players must be 19 years of age or older to purchase, play or redeem all gambling products at Red Shores, including harness racing tickets and ticket lottery products.

Video Lottery

Credit Policy
    • Prohibiting cheque-cashing services to players
    • Not granting credit to individuals playing games of chance

Betting Limit
There is a maximum bet per spin at $2.50 with a maximum win of $500.

RG Materials
The Problem Gambling Helpline number is shown on each VLT machine throughout the facility.

Breaks in Play
There are several practices for providing breaks in play which include:
    • operating at less than 24 hours per day;
    • forced cash outs;
    • pop-up reminders.

RG Features on Machines 
    • Helpline number advertised on all machines
    • On-screen clock which displays real time
    • All wagers and amounts won are displayed in dollar amounts
    • Pop-up reminders will occur after 60 min, 90 min, 120 min, 140 min (cash out warning) and 150 min of play (cash out)
    • Stop button removal – Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Reduction of speed of play – Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador

RG Training for Retailers
This training program is about enabling employees to know what, when and how to communicate specific messages related to RG. 

External Visual Access
There is no external visual access to VLT machines.

Maximum Cash In
There is a maximum cash in of $60 and a maxiumum money in of $1,500 (approx.).

Coasters

At Coasters locations, Responsible Gambling Information Centres are implemented. These information kiosks are designed to provide information on how the games work, tips for RG and access to community resource information. These kiosks are designed as a scaled version of the RGIC found at both Red Shores locations. The RG tools include a slot tutorial, access to Internet resources and the “Get the Facts” series of pamphlets.

Ticket Lottery

Tips to Keep Gambling Fun
To remain visible and environmentally friendly, a single piece around responsible play providing regional help line information was created and circulated to retail lottery sites. The piece, called Tips to Keep Gambling Fun, is visible to players as it is the size of a lottery ticket selection slip and is placed in our selection slip holders at all retail lottery centres.

All RG Training for Retailers
All retailers receive responsible gambling training to ensure they are provided with the necessary tools and training so they have a clear understanding of RG, problem gambling warning signs, age limits, gambling myths and facts and community resources.

19+ Training for Non-Compliant Retail Lottery Retailers
Beginning in January 2008, retail lottery retailers who are non-compliant and caught selling to minors through Atlantic Lottery’s mystery shopper program must complete the 19+ training. The training reinforces the 19+ policies and legislation and covers topics such as: how to ask for identification, how to refuse a sale and research on youth gambling.

Online

Game Features

Double Up Spend Limit on Pick’n Click Games
If a member wins a prize, they have the option to wager their winnings for a chance to double their prize.  However, if the prize is equal to or greater than $250, there is a control in place that will prevent the player from “doubling up”.

Breaks in Play
When a member has completed an interactive or probability game (including the double up component for probability games if they decide to double up), the member will be automatically redirected to the category page where they can select another game to purchase.
      

iBingo Purchase Limits
A player can choose up to a maximum of 6 boards, or 3 strips, for iBingo. The intent of this control is to discourage chasing behaviour. Fewer boards will emphasize ’gameplay‘ and will highlight the more social features of the game (i.e. chat, etc.) rather than the potential to win money.

iBingo Social Features
        • The chat feature enables players to chat with other players within a multi-player iBingo game, creating a social atmosphere.
        • The list of winners at the end of each game emphasizes the social aspect of the game.
        • The ‘autodab’ option emphasizes it is a game of chance.

Site Features

• Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion lets you suspend your play for the duration of your choice. Choosing a self-exclusion period will immediately suspend your access to alc.ca for the amount of time specified.

• Age Verification
 It is a critical starting point to have the right, adult players. While many sites have a voluntary button click to determine age, Atlantic Lottery has a third-party verification process to ensure that players are not underage, or from out of the region. Although some legitimate users are impacted by this, it demonstrates a commitment to 19+ policies and regulations.

• Session Timer
Session timer enables you to keep track of how much time you have spent during the current sitting of play.  Keeping track of time helps people control their gambling simply by keeping them more informed of their behaviour.

• Weekly Deposit Limit
As part of the registration process, a player is required to set a weekly deposit limit (between $1 and $1,000 in NL and NS and between $1 and $10,000 in NB and PE). In the case of existing members, they are required to set their deposit limit during their next session following the implementation of the funding (deposit) limit. If a player requests a decrease to their limit, this will take effect immediately; however, a requested increase will take effect in 24 hours.

• Enhanced System Checks to Prevent Multiple Accounts
A player must have only one personal account. User name and e-mail address cannot be duplicated. The player’s last name, date of birth and province are verified to ensure that he or she has only one valid account. In addition, the player’s last name, date of birth and province are verified to ensure that this data doesn’t match an account that was closed in the past 7 days. These system checks are designed to deter inappropriate activity and attempts to circumvent limits, self-exclusion, etc.

• Accessibility
Unlike illegal sites that take bets in Atlantic Canada, Atlantic Lottery has a local presence and is structured to deal with player issues and complaints. Players can come to an Atlantic Lottery office and address the company in person.

• Existing Brand Equity
Atlantic Canadians have told us that they recognize the integrity of the Atlantic Lottery brand, and would prefer to deal with the company online vs. new unknown competitors.