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2016
2017

COMMUNITY REPORT

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Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling is about providing information so people can make informed decisions about their play.

NSPLCC is acknowledged as a leader in responsible gambling, and has created and introduced responsible gambling programs where none existed. Today, NSPLCC delivers a suite of comprehensive gambling programs.

Here are a few examples:

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week

Last fall, we marked the 15th annual Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW) campaign with the message Balance is the Name of the Game.

  • Achieved 100% of its objectives
  • More than 4,000 unique visitors
  • Nearly 600 Nova Scotians entered the contest
  • Learn more about Responsible Gambling Awareness at yourbestbet.ca

Access to GamTalk

While the majority of Nova Scotians gamble for fun, it’s critical to make sure help is available for those who need it.

GamTalk is the first national, online peer-based support service in Canada, and Nova Scotia was the third biggest provincial user of the service last year. Awareness for this free forum is important so people who are experiencing gambling issues can access online assistance, and NSPLCC is proud to bring GamTalk to Nova Scotians.

Meet MARGI

If you’ve visited Casino Nova Scotia in either Halifax or Sydney, you’ve probably met MARGI.

MARGI stands for Mobile Access to Responsible Gambling Information and is a stand-alone kiosk developed by the Responsible Gambling Council.

  • Provides players interactive tools and information
  • MARGI has helped more than 46,700 casino visitors since 2006-07

What’s Yourbestbet.ca?

A world-first responsible gambling website, yourbestbet.ca is dedicated to providing the public and players with important information to make informed decisions and help keep the fun in the game.

  • Independent experts helped develop the content
  • 8,350 users visited the website in 2016-17 alone

Training for Excellence in Responsible Gambling

Everyone who works in the industry plays an important role in making sure gambling is fun and safe, through skills they learn through NSPLCC’s annual training programs.

Training has been developed by third-party responsible gambling experts, and every Casino Nova Scotia employee receives annual training. Atlantic Lottery delivers the training on behalf of NSPLCC to ticket and video lottery retailers.

  • More than 500 Nova Scotians directly work in gaming industry
  • 1,350 small businesses represent indirect jobs
  • 100% of all employees are trained on responsible gambling

RG Check Accreditation

In 2016, both the Halifax and Sydney casinos successfully obtained an RG Check Accreditation. This program for land-based casinos was created by the Responsible Gambling Council, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of problem gambling.

NSPLCC is incredibly proud that both Casino Nova Scotia locations are RG Check Certified after an extensive, independent review of its responsible gambling programs.

 

 

Integrity & Security

If someone gambles, they should know that the odds of winning always favour the house. And if they decide to take that chance, they have a right to expect the game to be fair and honest, secure and free from tampering, and that prizes go to the rightful owners. Players have the opportunity to know how the game works and the odds of winning before they play.

NSPLCC believes in transparency. We regularly update our website with information on our business lines, including average prize payout percentages.

  • Video Lottery: 93%-95%
  • Ticket Lottery: 33%-65%
  • Casino Slots 92%
  • Casino Tables 80%

Appropriate Gift-Giving

Each year, the NSPLCC and its ticket lottery operator, Atlantic Lottery, take measures to ensure Nova Scotians understand that lottery products make great holiday gifts – for adults only. This includes placing the age of majority messaging on ticket lottery products, confirming ticket lottery retailers are enforcing the 19+ laws, and participating in McGill University’s Holiday Campaign to raise awareness about not giving ticket lottery products as gifts to minors.

Thanks for doing your part to help prevent youth from gambling and being influential role models.

Age of Majority

NSPLCC aims high when it comes to making sure our operators comply with the age of majority rules. We have policies in place to ensure the more than 1,000 ticket lottery retailers comply with those rules.

 

Citizens & Community

We work to connect with the citizens and communities where we live and work. We also believe that good corporate citizenship starts in the community. That is why we support community initiatives as part of our social responsibility commitment.

Support4Sport

is a designated ticket lottery program that makes a meaningful impact in Nova Scotia’s sport community.

  • Contributed nearly $35 million since inception.
  • Over 125,000 Nova Scotians benefit each year.

Each year, NSPLCC provides funding to Sport Nova Scotia who manages the program. Working together, these are a few of the great events we’ve put on this past year.

Grow your Game

More than 30,000 votes were cast for community groups across the province during ‘Grow your Game’ an online contest put on by NSPLCC and Sport Nova Scotia. Cantley Village Recreation Association won the top prize of $10,000.

 

 

Cheering for our Olympians

Nova Scotians gathered to cheer on their fellow Olympians in both the Olympics and Paralympics at the Halifax Central Library. NSPLCC was proud to host the event with the Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic.

Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame

NSPLCC supported the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame’s induction night, which added more deserving Nova Scotians to its Hall of Fame.

Sport Nova Scotia Awards

Every year our friends at Sport Nova Scotia honour Nova Scotian athletes, teams and coaches in a special awards night. NSPLCC was proud to sponsor the event through Support4Sport.

Support4Culture

is a designated lottery program that supports arts, culture and heritage in communities across Nova Scotia.

  • Introduced in 2013
  • Contributed more than $8 million
  • Benefited 360 aspiring artists and community arts, culture and heritage organizations since it began.
  • Sponsored 2016 East Coast Music Week in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Support4Communities

Nova Scotians are happy to help each other and give to a good cause. In fact, in 2016-17, Nova Scotians donated more than $116,000 for good causes in their community including the Mulgrave Volunteer Fire Department, Pictou County Special Olympics, and the Sydney YMCA by participating in Support4Communities sponsored events.

  • Helped organizations across the province host 14 Monte Carlo nights
  • Raised over $945,000 in 10 years at NSPLCC sponsored Community Casino Nights.

Spotlight on Community Seminars

NSPLCC has helped several communities with information sessions on how to host charitable gaming fundraisers, such as Casino-themed Monte Carlo Nights. In partnership with the Alcohol Gaming Fuel and Tobacco Division (AGFTD), we hosted seminars with over 50 attendees throughout in Yarmouth, Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, Truro and Dartmouth. In addition to learning about Casino Nights, attendees are also learning about hosting charitable bingo and Chase the Ace.

In addition to learning about Casino Nights, attendees are also learning about hosting charitable bingo and Chase the Ace.

Corporate Governance

Good governance is associated with achieving better outcomes. It means being transparent and accountable. The way we conduct business is held to the highest ethical standards and we are responsible to the government and people of Nova Scotia.

Served by Proud Nova Scotians

Our staff and Board of Directors are comprised of people who put social responsibility at the forefront of everything we do.

We are grateful for the contributions of all our Board, including past Board members, Tracey Taweel and David Ross (retired, June 30, 2017), and current members: Byron Rafuse, Deputy Minister of Finance; and, Denise Perrett, Deputy Minister of Health and Wellness.

Video Lottery Attrition

There are just under 300 small businesses across the province that offer video lottery in their establishments. These businesses are trained on how to help players make informed decisions, and each terminal has mandatory responsible gambling features.

If a location closes, the terminals are permanently removed as part of Nova Scotia’s attrition policy. Since it was introduced in 2011, more than 140 video lottery terminals have been removed.

Stakeholder Relationships

Our business is conducted with the help and involvement of a large number of partners. Each relationship is a tangible asset of our organization. We respect and learn from the experiences and expertise of our many stakeholders. Working together provides the best opportunities to advance our social responsibility agenda.

Revitalizing our Casinos

The Great Canadian Gaming Corporation operates Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and in Sydney. In 2016-17, they invested $1 million to revitalize the Sydney casino, and are making additional investments to renovate the Halifax location.

Sydney casino:

  • Refreshed gaming floor
  • Expanded Ceilidh room
  • Enhanced entertainment options
  • Renovated restaurant

These investments keep our province’s entertainment attractions appealing to Nova Scotians and visitors who choose to gamble.

Focused on Nova Scotians

NSPLCC remains focused on Nova Scotians and your expectations for the gaming industry. In 2016-17, 84% of Nova Scotians said they support our commitment to responsible gambling, up from 80% the previous fiscal year. We believe that if we do our very best in setting the bar high, we will continue to earn the trust of the people to whom we are accountable.

Thank you for keeping us accountable with your trust and support.