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Social Responsibility

It’s important for all Nova Scotians, whether they choose to gamble or not, to know how social responsibility underscores everything we do. 

Our commitment to being socially responsible means ensuring the integrity of the gaming industry, giving players the information they need to play responsibly, and giving back to the community.   

 

Social Responsibility Community Report

 

 

Integrity of the Industry

We ensure that we follow all regulations and our provincial regulator, the Alcohol Gaming Fuel and Tobacco (AGFT) Division of Service Nova Scotia, oversees what we do. The AGFT is a separate entity, independent from us and our industry operators.

We work with the AGFT and our operators to ensure a responsible and secure gaming environment.

The AGFTD also processes charitable gaming applications and grants licences.

 

Healthy Play

Keeping the fun and entertainment in gambling is an important part of being socially responsible. We have a shared responsibility to ensure players have a positive experience if they choose to gamble. We provide access to helpful information, tools and resources that encourage positive play through increase gambling literacy and setting of limits.  

Whether you are buying a lottery ticket or playing games at the casino, knowing how the games work can help you keep gambling fun. Visit yourbestbet.ca or if you are visiting the casino stop by the Responsible Gambling Resource Centre for information on the odds, how gambling works, tutorials and tips for staying on track and on budget.

Each year there are focused initiatives to increase awareness of the year-round player education and harm mitigation resources. These initiatives help players understand the odds of winning and losing, as well as understanding the games they play. We provide players with positive play information they can use to make more informed decisions about their play and separate myths from facts.

Healthy Play Training

We know it is important for people who work at our casinos and ticket/video lottery locations to know how gambling works and how to respond to players in any situation. As part of our commitment to social responsibility, we require ticket lottery and video lottery retailers, casino staff from management to gaming floor employees and our own staff, to successfully complete annual training related to Healthy Play.

Responsible Gambling Assessments

We hold ourselves to a high standard because that is what Nova Scotians expect. Every single game or promotion that is offered in Nova Scotia has gone through a Responsible Gambling Assessment, which sometimes means calling in the experts. Responsible gambling researchers from around the world weigh in on how to ensure our games, products and initiatives are socially responsible. In addition, we consult with Advertising Standards Canada on our Code of Advertising Standards to make sure all marketing and promotions reflect Nova Scotian values and industry best practices with regards to protection of minors and healthy play.

More Resources for Help

When gambling is no longer fun, there are supports to help. Casino Nova Scotia and alc.ca offer voluntary self-exclusion programs for when it’s time to step away. 

Nova Scotia Health’s Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them. Call (toll-free) 1-888-429-8167 or visit MHAHelpNS.ca