The province's new responsible gaming strategy is focused on protecting the health and well-being of Nova Scotians and improving the regulation of gaming.

The plan includes measures to increase the focus on research into problem gambling, a continued moratorium on new VLTs, and make the MyPlay system mandatory to help players better monitor and make informed choices about their play.

The strategy is based on research into best practices in other jurisdictions, input from stakeholders and the public, and a review of results from the previous gaming strategy released in 2005.

The strategy outlines a number of other measures including:

• reaffirming that Nova Scotia will not expand into internet gambling such as online casino games
• declining to endorse a proposal to develop a racino in the province
• ongoing review of advertising standards to ensure they are consistent with best practices for social responsibility
• making the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation a division of the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
• integrate Gambling Awareness Nova Scotia with the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation to create a center of excellence on problem gambling research.

A deputy ministers' advisory committee will oversee the implementation of the strategy's elements across government.

A copy of the strategy can be downloaded here (310K PDF).