Responsible Gaming

Responsible Gaming Education and Awareness Programs

In August of each year, MGA and other Alliance members participate in Responsible Gaming Education Week, which is sponsored on a national level by the American Gaming Association (AGA). The 2009 theme "Know the Code" was celebrated August 3-7 and reemphasized the AGA's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming serving as a guideline for the responsible gaming policies and procedures currently in use at casinos across the country. Casino companies throughout Missouri highlighted the industry's commitment to responsible gaming reminding their employees about the programs in place at their own properties.

Life Crisis Services, a not-for-profit agency that staffs the 888-BETSOFF hotline, provided learning seminars at Missouri casinos during Responsible Gaming Education Week. Awareness materials and displays were also featured at casinos, lottery offices, the Missouri Department of Mental Health headquarters and Missouri Gaming Commission offices. Some of the activities at Missouri's casinos during Responsible Gaming Education Week included:

Employee meetings and training sessions on problem gambling and underage gambling;
Employee poster or question-and-answer contests;
Display of brochures at all ATMs and cashier cages;
Placement of Responsible Gaming Education Week banners outside casinos and public areas within casinos;
Display of responsible gaming banners and flyers targeted to employees in back-of-house areas;
Packets of responsible gaming information distributed to employees with paychecks;
Responsible gaming messages on in-house television and on-hold messages for customers;
Wearing of Responsible Gaming Education Week button or ribbons by casino employees;
Display of proclamations commemorating Responsible Gaming Education Week from the cities and counties that host casinos.