BCLC Invests $2M in Gambling Research Center
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), together with the Canadian province's government, has announced that it will be injecting $2 million into the development of a brand new Center for Gambling Research.
The newly planned center will be located at the University of British Columbia and its main objective will be to advance the understanding and marketing of responsible gambling habits, in a bid to reduce problem gambling behaviors in the province and throughout Canada.
The Center for Gambling Research will be 100% independent from the BCLC and the gambling industry as whole, and will conduct its own research into the social and behavioral sides of gambling.
One of the main aims of this new center is to improve existing responsible gambling programs in the province and across Canada, and to reduce problems associated with problem gambling.
Responsible Gambling in BC
According to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the BCLC, Michael Graydon, the research done by the new Center for Gambling Research will help the lottery corporation tailor programs and support services to meet the specific needs of British Columbians. At the same time, the research will advance global understanding in this field.
"We are excited to be partnering with UBC's Department of Psychology, recognized for excellence in Canada and around the world," said Graydon about the group's part in the BCLC gambling research center.
BCLC Approach to Responsible Gambling
The BCLC has always been proud of its approach to responsible gambling, believing that players and the public need to have information in order to make informed choices. As such, BCLC has its GameSense policy in place, where players can learn about their odds of winning, how games work, when to stop and how to recognize if gambling has become a problem for them.
All staff dealing with BCLC products, including lottery salespeople and retailers, are educated through GameSense.
The GameSense site teaches Canadian players how gambling works, tools and resources available to them, voluntary self-exclusion options, self-assessment and more.
The BCLC also runs Responsible Gambling Awareness Months (the last was held in January 2013).
In terms of social responsibility, the BCLC is one of the top employers in British Columbia and has put back over $14.6 billion for health, education and charities since its inception 30 years ago.
"BCLC is proud to be part of almost every community in BC," said the group. "From fun, entertainment and prizes, to rewarding jobs and community funding, the benefits of our business are province-wide."
