The key implementation issues covered in this review include the features to be offered; protection of privacy; mandatory versus voluntary use; ease of use; technological implications and requirements; incentives, marketing and promotions and finally the economic costs.

In conducting this study, the RGC gathered and analyzed information from the a number of sources including: a) research literature evaluative studies; b) policy reviews; c) interviews with technology specialists and experts; d) focus groups with regular gamblers; e) an RGC Expert Forum bringing together experts from around the world; and finally f) RGC’s analysis of best practices.

An evaluation of the RGICs was conducted at the end of the pilot project phase. The purpose of this evaluation was to explore whether the RGICs have met their goals:

“To provide visitors and casino staff, as applicable, effective assistance, information and referral services for individuals with high risk or problematic gambling behaviours.”

“To increase awareness of safer gambling beliefs and practices among visitors and casino staff.”

The results of the evaluation are intended to assist key stakeholders in making decisions about the future operation of the RGICs.

The framework for the Review was constructed around the following nine topics that were identified from the literature and practice:

•Expectations •Registration •Counselling and Supports •Ban Length •Detection and Management of Breaches •Ban Scope •Renewal and Reinstatement •Promotion •Regulatory Oversight and Penalties

The methodology used in the Review included:

•Literature and policy review •Overview of program features at Canadian jurisdictions •Twelve focus groups across Canada with individuals who had self-exclusion experience •Interviews with self-exclusion program administrators •An Expert Forum bringing together experts from around the world •RGC’s analysis of best practices

Numerous studies have attempted to shed light on the nature of the relationship between EGMs and problem gambling. For the purpose of this report, the variables that have been examined in many of these studies are classified into three general areas: 1) EGM features, 2) venue features, and 3) community accessibility features. Using these three areas as its framework, the present study assesses, via the opinion of various Key Informants, which features are most likely to contribute to problem gambling, and which modifications to these features are most likely to reduce EGM-related problem gambling risk. The report consists of a literature review of available research on the three framework areas, a survey of Key Informant opinion, focus groups with EGM problem gamblers, a discussion of findings and limitations, and, lastly, a summary and conclusion.

To inform its latest prevention initiatives, RGC conducted an electronic survey of Ontario youth 15-17 years of age. The purpose of the survey, which was completed by 2,140 participants, was to get a sense of youth gambling behaviours and perceptions. There was a particular focus on poker—both live (i.e., in person) and online (i.e., over the Internet), as these are growth areas for youth gambling.

The survey’s results are divided into four main sections. The first pertains to characteristics of youth gambling in general; the second is more specific to poker; the third looks at problem gambling; the last examines the impact of other people’s gambling.

Findings showed that 63.3% of participants reported engaging in at least one gambling activity in the year prior to the survey. This rate was significantly lower than the 83.3% participation rate observed in 2001. Gambling on slot machines decreased from 30.3% in 2001 to 19.2% in 2005. Participation in Internet gambling increased from 0.6% in 2001 to 1.7% in 2005. Poker was the most common form of Internet gambling with the greatest increases occurring among 18 to 24 year-olds (from 1.4% in 2001 to 5.5% in 2005). A significant number of study participants experienced problems related to their gambling: 2.6% had moderate gambling problems and 0.8% had severe gambling problems. These rates are similar to those found in 2001. Comparable to 2001, 6.9% of 18 to 24 year-olds in this study reported moderate to severe gambling problems.