Ontario government pledges C$9m to responsible gambling efforts
Responsible Gambling Council confirms funding to improve messaging and community outreach drives
The Ontario government has pledged an “historic” C$9m ($6.6m) investment to support responsible gambling efforts in the province.
The administration has donated the nine-figure sum via the Responsible Internet Gambling Fund, which will be used over a three-year period.
The funding will be used by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) to improve on education campaigns and expand its community outreach programs.
The RGC added that it would further build on partnerships with local community groups and leaders to deliver its responsible gambling messages.
Shelley White, the council’s CEO, said that Ontario had been a “champion for responsible gambling” and the latest funding injection would be a “gamechanger”.
“This clearly demonstrates Ontario is the Canadian leader in promoting responsible play, minimizing harm, and creating a strong, sustainable online gambling market,” she said.
“We applaud and thank the Ontario government for this welcome and historic investment into responsible play.
“We know online gambling comes with unique risks, and this funding will have a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of so many Ontarians by providing them with the resources and programming to help keep them safe and build a culture of responsible play in this new environment,” she concluded.
Earlier this year, the RGC announced a partnership with Jennifer Shatley, the founder of Logan Avenue Consulting, to collaborate on the development of the group research strategy.
Last week, she was unveiled as the head of the new Responsible Online Gaming Association which was formed by leading US operators.
BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment all joined forces and pledged $20m to the cause.