2024 New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference

As expectations are increasing on operators to interact, and in some cases intervene, with players who are demonstrating high risk behaviours, this is presenting both unique opportunities and challenges for operators. The balance between the protection of their players while ensuring the responsible growth of their business is a challenge in an ever increasingly competitive environment. Much of this innovative work is accomplished through behavioural analytics tools that are available for both online and in-venue play and these tools are providing more evidence-based insights into personalized player behaviour.
Currently, most models identify later stage harms. Yet one of the most promising opportunities with these behavioural analytic systems is to interact with players preventatively: at the right time with the right message to support them in adopting safer gambling behaviours. The intent of this to reduce harms across the play continuum and to hopefully prevent significant harms before they happen. These interactions can happen from the time a player is signing up, to loyalty programs that incentive incentivize positive safer play through to the identification of potential high-risk behaviours.
This panel will examine the current evidence base for adopting these risk models across the risk continuum and what we know and don’t know about the evidence around effective player interactions. It will also focus on how operators can implement these systems and talk about both the opportunities and challenges of doing so.

The Centre for Gambling Research is based in the UBC Department of Psychology in Vancouver where much of their research examines the risk potential of different gambling formats.
In this three-part session, we will hear about the new directions of gambling research in slots, sports and streams from three research experts. For many years, slot machines have been recognized as a higher-risk product but little research has examined online offerings. In this session, Dr. Mariya Cherkasova will present research on the key design features of modern online slots. With the increased attention to the risk profile of modern sports betting, Dr. Luke Clark, the CGR Director, will describe research analysing media coverage of sports betting around its recent legalization. Last of all, digital technologies are enabling new ways of accessing gambling. Claudia Fu, a CGR graduate student will present the latest research on the impacts of viewing gambling via streaming platforms such as Twitch.

We all want to feel seen, heard, and understood. This is why BCLC’s Player Health team has integrated Motivational Interviewing approaches into its programing. As a result, it helped to shape a culture of safer play. From its GameSense Advisor Program to its new active reinstatement process, BCLC has embedded key principles of MI with a focus on empathy, collaboration and empowerment, offering an effective way to connect with players and inspire positive change.

Join us in this session to learn how BCLC’s Player Health team has effectively applied MI, naturally evolving the way they interact and support with players through conversations in person, over the phone and online chat. Learn how embedding MI in its GameSense programing has changed the way they communicate information and helped make the shift from a responsible gambling approach to a holistic player health outlook.

How well are we truly serving our LGBTQI+ customers? With a continued focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) and a committee committed to social justice in the gambling field, embarked on an audit of all its program services, including community based efforts, digital marketing and GameSense programing to assess how well LGBTQI+ individuals were being served.
In this session, Marlene Warner will share how the results from this audit has helped to inform, reshape and upgrade their efforts to support LGBTQI+ customers through language and content creating in GameSense activities, physical components of its GameSense Information Centers, various marketing materials and webist eas well as the approach to community outreach training and tabling events. Learn more about this innovative initiative and how to apply the evidence-based approach to better support your LGBTQI+ customers.

This session delves into the invaluable insights gained from more than a decade of providing player education and support within land-based gambling venues. Since 2005, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corporation have partnered to operate PlaySmart Centres (PSC) across Ontario.
Explore the multifaceted operations of these vital hubs for player engagement and support. Discover how well-designed program elements, interactive resources, and expertly trained staff combine to offer comprehensive services, including information, practical tools, and guidance for those seeking assistance.
With 67 PlaySmart Centres established province-wide and a dedicated team of over 90 professionals, this session will uncover the lessons and insights from the PlaySmart Program, highlighting effective strategies in player education and support services.