New Program Kicks Off Responsible Gaming Awareness Week
N.S. GAMING CORP.--New Program Kicks Off Responsible Gaming Awareness Week
University students in Halifax and Sydney are learning more about the risks of problem gambling as part of the province's recognition of Responsible Gaming Awareness Week, Oct. 10 to 16.
Officials from the province, Dalhousie University and the Responsible Gambling Council joined dozens of students on the Dalhousie campus in Halifax today, Oct. 12, to launch a program designed to give people aged 19 to 24 the facts about gambling.
Know the Score is an interactive, peer-led program being piloted this fall at Dalhousie and the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) in Sydney. Successfully introduced in Ontario by the Responsible Gambling Council, the program was brought to Nova Scotia by the council, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.
"Recent studies show that adults between the ages of 19 and 24 are at a comparatively higher risk of developing gambling-related problems," said Marie Mullally, president and CEO of the gaming corporation.
Ms. Mullally said data in an Office of Health Promotion study on gambling prevalence in Nova Scotia also suggests there is a need for greater emphasis on awareness and education related to accurate information on gaming. "This is what Know the Score and Responsible Gaming Awareness Week are all about."
"Know the Score builds awareness around the risks if gambling gets out of control," explained Laurie Bell, director of prevention programs for the Responsible Gambling Council. Ms. Bell and council officials will be overseeing the pilot at Dalhousie and at UCCB. "We are here to give people the information they need to make good decisions," she added.
Know the Score is designed to get students talking about the myths surrounding gambling and to give them the facts. Using a booth located on campus, students are invited to answer five questions and to discuss their answers. When they have the correct answers, students can enter their questionnaire as a ballot for a draw for a $1,500 scholarship award, in addition to gift certificates for pizza and/or text books.
To encourage more student participation and discussion, Know the Score trains university students to staff the booth. With the support of Responsible Gambling Council professionals, the students work to provide information and educational materials to their peers.
"Dalhousie University is committed to the well-being of its students," said Derrick Enslow, health educator with the university's health services unit. "The results of this program in reaching and informing 19- to 24-year-olds in Ontario have been really impressive. We are looking forward to being part of the team that is bringing this kind of program to our school."
Following evaluations of results in Sydney and Halifax, Know the Score may be rolled out to other post-secondary institutions in 2005.
Also introduced this week as part of Responsible Gaming Awareness Week, is Play By Play -- A Responsible Gaming Program. The program offers information and tools which encourage and support responsible gaming decisions to no-, low- and moderate-risk VLT players (as defined by the Canadian Problem Gambling Index). The brochures will be available at all video lottery terminal locations across the province.
Other events scheduled to mark Responsible Gaming Awareness Week across Nova Scotia include interactive displays at the Halifax Shopping Centre and MicMac Mall and speaking engagements by Marie Mullally to the chambers of commerce in Bridgewater, Sydney, Kentville, Truro and Halifax.
The theme for Responsible Gaming Awareness Week 2004 is Everyone Needs a Game Plan. It was chosen to reinforce the message that everyone needs an informed plan to make responsible choices about gaming.
Responsible Gaming Awareness Week is led by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, in conjunction with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Casino Nova Scotia.