RGC News

Find out what’s new at the Responsible Gambling Council. Read our latest articles, press releases and media coverage.

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    3 min read

    Responsible Gambling Council Launches Free Evidence-Informed Training to Protect High School Students from Gambling Harms

    Beyond the Game is a free, evidence-informed training module designed to help educators and coaches deliver engaging sessions on gambling risks and healthy decision-making for grade 11-12 student athletes. This resource equips facilitators with tools to raise awareness and empower youth and student athletes to make informed choices that limit gambling harm.

    December 4, 2025
    3 min read

    RGC Partners with Greo Evidence Insights to Develop Comprehensive Youth Gambling Prevention Strategy

    The Responsible Gambling Council, (RGC) is partnering with Greo Evidence Insights to create a multi-year youth education and prevention framework that will shape how young people learn about gambling risks and access support.

    November 21, 2025
    1 min read

    Best Practice Made Better: Updating the RG Index

    This report provides gambling operators, regulators and other stakeholders with a comprehensive guide to the rigorous and consultative research process the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) undertook to produce the latest update of our RG Index – the best- practice-based standards and criteria that underpin RGC’s RG Check accreditation program for land-based venues and online gambling (iGaming) sites.

    July 17, 2025
    1 min read

    Gambling Marketing & Advertising Report

    Key recommendations that emerged from a 3-phase project on gambling marketing and advertising (GMA) are presented in this report.

    June 4, 2025
    1 min read

    Young Bettors and March Madness Participants Face High Gambling Risks

    The Big Games sports betting survey reveals the vast majority of Ontarians (89 per cent) plan to watch at least one major sporting event this year.

    March 20, 2025
    3 min read

    Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) Launches National College Education Campaign

    The program is a joint initiative to provide college-aged students with responsible gaming and financial literacy education.

    February 18, 2025
    1 min read

    Responsible Gambling Council of Ontario – Sports Betting Behaviours

    The Big Game Strategy – an initiative that maps insights on sports better behaviours across Ontario and leverages those insights to raise awareness for management and reduction of gambling risk across high volume “big game” sporting events throughout the year. 

    February 11, 2025
    1 min read

    Nearly half of Ontarian viewers wagering on Super Bowl LIX

    The latest sports betting survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) shows the majority of Ontarians plan to watch Super Bowl LIX (63 per cent) and almost half of viewers will place a wager on the big game (48 per cent).

    February 5, 2025
    1 min read

    The Responsible Gambling Council is thrilled to announce its partnership with Maple Leaf Sports

    The Responsible Gambling Council is thrilled to announce its partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). This collaboration is aimed at increasing visibility and awareness of gambling myths – especially in the realm of sports betting.

    November 14, 2024
    4 min read

    Announcing Sarah McCarthy as Chief Executive Officer

    New CEO Brings Proven Track Record in Building Inclusive Solutions and Securing Government Partnerships

    November 8, 2024
    1 min read

    Responsible Online Gaming Association Announces Creation of National College Education Campaign

    Today, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) – an independent trade association founded by eight of the industry’s largest legal online gaming operators to advance and promote responsible gaming (RG) practices – announced the development of a national college RG education campaign in partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC).

    September 10, 2024
    1 min read

    RGC Applauds $9 million Government investment in Online Gambling Prevention Education to Promote Responsible Play in Ontario

    Last week, during the Responsible Gambling Council’s (RGC) annual Discovery Conference, the Ontario Government announced a historic investment of $9 million in funding through the Responsible Internet Gambling Fund (RIGF).

    April 3, 2024
    1 min read

    RGC Hosts Educational Webinar On Young Adults And Sports Betting

    The 30-minute webinar, targeted to college/university campuses, community agencies, and other organizations, enlightened participants on the basics of sports betting, the risks associated, who is betting on sports, and the implications of sports betting for those who work with young adults.

    March 28, 2023
    1 min read

    RGC announces new partnership with Dr. Jennifer Shatley

    RGC is pleased to announce a new partnership with Dr. Jennifer Shatley, Founder and Principal Consultant of Logan Avenue Consulting LLC.

    February 23, 2023
    1 min read

    RGC shares latest Super Bowl study with media

    Melissa Toney, Associate Director, Prevention Programs, shares RGC’s latest Super Bowl study with the media. Read the press release for the key findings from this research.

    February 8, 2023
    1 min read

    Meet RGC at ICE London!

    RGC is happy to return to the Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ) at ICE! Visit us at Stand N1-CP12. Book a meeting with the team, and listen to RGC CEO Shelley White and Senior Researcher Dr. Melissa Salmon speak.

    January 31, 2023
    1 min read

    RGC approves PointsBet for RG Check accreditation

    PointsBet USA and PointsBet Canada announced they have been approved for accreditation under the RG Check program, provided by the Responsible Gambling Council.

    January 18, 2023
    1 min read

    RGC launches online gambling PSA in collaboration with thinktv

    The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is pleased to announce a collaborative partnership with marketing and research association, thinktv on a vital iGaming PSA.

    October 3, 2022
    3 min read

    All in Series: Discovery 2022

    The industry has gone through immense growth and diversification over the past year, with no signs of slowing down. Discovery is a catalyst that connects likeminded leaders in the industry to debate issues relevant now and into the future.

    September 29, 2022
    1 min read

    Meet the CABP team: get to know Erin Near

    Erin Near is a Research Analyst with the Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices (CABP) at RGC. She recently graduated with a Masters in Public Health from the University of Guelph.

    August 16, 2022
    1 min read

    Meet the CABP team: get to know Melissa Salmon

    Melissa Salmon is a Senior Researcher with the Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices (CABP) at RGC, as well as a PhD Candidate at Carleton University (to be defended September, 2022).

    August 11, 2022
    1 min read

    RGC to conduct vital responsible marketing and advertising research

    Independent research funding from Flutter Entertainment set to support first-of-its-kind baseline research to inform global marketing and advertising standards in gambling for Operators and Regulators.

    August 8, 2022
    1 min read

    Slipping through the safety net

    Efforts to evaluate and treat gambling harm have traditionally focused on men. This has seen other groups, women among them, fall through the cracks as their experiences of gambling harm can differ enormously.

    April 29, 2022
    1 min read

    Rush Street Interactive becomes first U.S.-based online gaming company to receive RG Check accreditation

    Rush Street Interactive becomes the first U.S.-based online casino and sports betting company to receive RG Check iGaming Accreditation for its BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com sites.

    April 6, 2022
    1 min read

    CasinoBeats100 pathways through gaming and beyond, with Shelley White

    Shelley White, CEO of RGC takes to the hot seat to offer insight into a journey that led to the industry, as well examining ongoing challenges, opportunities that lie ahead, and the importance of collaborative leadership.

    March 11, 2022
    3 min read

    Wagering on the Super Bowl? Avoid a betting fumble, have a plan

    A new survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) paints a picture of what we can expect in Ontario when it comes to Super Bowl betting.

    February 11, 2022
    3 min read

    Four in 10 who bet on sports plan to place a Super Bowl wager

    February 7, 2022 (Toronto, ON) – With Super Bowl LVI days away, a new survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) shows that Ontario sports fans are gearing up to bet on the NFL’s iconic championship.

    February 9, 2022
    1 min read

    Health Inequities Among East and South Asian Gamblers During COVID-19: Key Risk Factors and Comorbidities

    This preliminary study conducted by RGC Senior Researcher Alex Price sought to fill a gap in knowledge concerning the health inequities experienced by East and South Asian gamblers in Ontario during COVID-19.

    February 8, 2022
    1 min read

    CB100: Ontario an ‘attractive market’ for international operators

    RGC CEO Shelley White’s CasinoBeats 100 Club feature examines the expansion of Ontario’s iGaming market and how enticing it can be for international operators.

    February 8, 2022
    5 min read

    Research Highlight – A Year in Review

    2021 was a year of hardships and challenges for many. RGC’s Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices (CABP) turned these challenges into opportunities by continuing to study how changes to the industry impacted players and communities

    February 3, 2022
    1 min read

    RGC CEO Shelley White’s statement regarding iGaming Ontario’s announcement on the new iGaming market

    The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) supports today’s announcement made by the Ford government and iGO on the launch date for the expansion of iGaming and single-event sports betting, ushering in new policy changes that ensure responsible gambling regulations are in place to mitigate gambling harms

    January 31, 2022
    1 min read

    theScore Bet Becomes First Prospective Private Market Operator in Ontario to Achieve RG Check

    theScore Bet is the first prospective private market operator in Ontario to achieve RG Check, which is regarded as one of the most comprehensive RG accreditation programs in the world.

    January 26, 2022
    1 min read

    Mental Health Over Time and Financial Concerns Predict Change in Online Gambling During COVID-19

    RGC Senior Researchers Dr. Alex Price and Dr. Sasha Stark recently conducted a study that examined online gambling behavior during COVID-19 land-based gambling restrictions.

    January 21, 2022
    1 min read

    Gambling Advertising Should Promote Responsible Play

    PlayCanada reached out to Shelley White, CEO of RGC, to discuss the need for strong standards around gambling advertising and marketing.

    January 21, 2022
    1 min read

    Melco Cyprus Becomes First European Operator to Receive RG Check Accreditation

    The accreditation has been awarded to all four C2 venues, namely Limassol, Nicosia, Ayia Napa and Paphos, tied to Melco’s commitment to Responsible Gaming.

    December 16, 2021
    1 min read

    Sports Betting in Canada: Are We Setting Ourselves up for Success?

    As Canada legalizes single-event sports betting, it raises the question: are operators, regulators, governments, RG organizations, community and treatment agencies prepared for what’s to come?

    December 14, 2021
    1 min read

    Responsible Sports Betting in Canada: Summary Report

    RGC is pleased to release a Canada-wide sports betting study that can help support the development of evidence-informed strategies and best-practices for RG.

    December 8, 2021
    3 min read

    All in Series: Moving Forward from Discovery

    As I reflect on this year’s Discovery conference, I can’t help but think about the terrific opportunities I had to reconnect with my Canadian and global colleagues. Even though the experience was virtual, I must say there was a strong feeling of camaraderie and connectedness.

    November 8, 2021
    1 min read

    ReDiscovery: Exploring the New World of RG

    CANADIAN GAMING BUSINESS
    For close to 20 years, the Responsible Gambling Council has played host to the pre-eminent responsible gambling conference in Toronto.

    September 30, 2021
    2 min read

    All In Series: Discovery

    RGC invites leaders in the gambling industry to come together at our annual Discovery conference to promote thought leadership in the field. Collectively we discuss and debate the research, emerging trends and solutions to keep gambling safer in Canada and globally.

    September 15, 2021
    1 min read

    Shelley White on The Safe Bet Show: A cookie-cutter approach just isn’t right for safer gambling

    Commenting on the latest episode of the Safe Bet Show, Shelley White, CEO of RGC emphasized her belief that “with North America and Europe having different market maturities, using the same RG messaging in each market is unhelpful”.

    August 20, 2021
    1 min read

    RG Check: A Global Gold Standard

    Tracy Parker, Director, Standards and Accreditation for RGC, explains why the RG Check accreditation provides assurances that your responsible gambling processes are up to date and effective.

    August 6, 2021
    3 min read

    All In Series: COVID & Gambling

    In 2020, as the world was grappling with the impacts of COVID-19, here in Ontario, RGC was eager to understand the impact of COVID-19 on individual’s gambling behaviour.

    July 13, 2021
    2 min read

    All In Series: Introduction

    Welcome to the first edition of All In, a monthly blog where RGC CEO Shelley White shares her thoughts and perspectives on RG, new research and trends from across the gambling world.

    June 10, 2021
    1 min read

    Bill C-218: RGC Submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce

    RGC believes that the legalization of single-event sports betting provides an opportunity for a robust, regulatory framework that establishes guardrails for strong consumer protections.

    June 4, 2021
    1 min read

    Online gambling in unprecedented times: Risks and safer gambling strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

    This article, written by CABP director Janine Robinson and Senior Researcher Dr. Sasha Stark, examines the risk factors for and changes in online gambling during COVID-19.

    May 3, 2021
    1 min read

    Melco Resorts receives RG Check accreditation for their Macau, Philippines resorts

    Melco Resorts & Entertainment has become the first integrated resort operator in Macau and the Philippines to receive the esteemed RG accreditation, RG Check.

    April 16, 2021
    1 min read

    Examining lottery play and risk among young people in Great Britain

    A report conducted by RGC & GREO examines whether using lottery and scratch cards is related to problem gambling in young people (16 to 24-year-olds in England and Scotland).

    April 14, 2021
    2 min read

    RGC speaks at House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

    RGC believes that the legalization of single-event sports betting presents an opportunity to have a positive and significant impact on reducing the harms that sports wagering can cause to individuals, families and societies.

    March 22, 2021
    3 min read

    Entain Foundation Partners with RGC on Research to Inform Regulatory Approach to Gaming & Sports-Betting in Canada

    Entain, the global sports betting and gaming entertainment group, today announced that its non-profit Foundation will fund research by RGC into consumer practices, preferences and behaviours in Ontario, Canada as regulators prepare to legalize gaming and sports betting for the first time.

    March 18, 2021
    1 min read

    IAG Series: Advancing responsible gambling together

    In the sixth installment of a collaboration between IAG and RGC, we look at the importance of prevention education in creating a responsible gambling culture.

    March 11, 2021
    1 min read

    IAG Series: RG and the Player Journey

    In the fifth installment of a collaboration between IAG and RGC, we look at the importance of prevention education in creating a responsible gambling culture.

    February 17, 2021
    2 min read

    Calling all Researchers: RGC and GREO Release Significant Dataset

    We are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with GREO to release RG Check accreditation and reaccreditation data for the use of the broader research community.

    January 28, 2021
    1 min read

    Not-for-Profit Board Diversity & Inclusion: Is it essentially window-dressing?

    RGC is pleased to have participated in this very important research project on diversity and inclusion in not-for-profit organizations, published by The David and Sharon Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation.

    January 28, 2021
    1 min read

    Journal of Gambling Studies: Gambling and Gaming in an Ontario Sample of Youth and Parents

    RGC Senior Researcher, Dr. Sasha Stark, Jennifer Reynold (Concordia University), and Jamie Wiebe’s (BCLC) research seeks to better understand gambling and gaming behaviours among adolescents, young adults, and parents of children between 8 to 17 years old.

    January 25, 2021
    1 min read

    IAG Series: Creating an RG culture beyond the boardroom

    Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices, Janine Robinson, discusses the importance of imbedding RG into a company’s culture.

    January 14, 2021
    1 min read

    Charting a path towards a public health approach for gambling harm prevention

    In this paper, RGC Senior Researcher Alex Price, Margo Hilbrecht & Rosa Billi, critically review the evolution of the public health perspective on gambling harm.

    January 7, 2021
    1 min read

    Coping with Disaster: The Emerging Impacts of Gambling During a Pandemic

    RGC Senior Researcher Alex Price illustrates vulnerabilities in both a gambling and COVID-19 context.

    December 17, 2020
    1 min read

    IAG Series: Measuring the ROI on responsible gambling

    In the third installment of a new collaboration with IAG, RGC CEO Shelley White explains how RG policies contributes to player loyalty and an organization’s bottom line.

    December 9, 2020
    3 min read

    This Diwali, “shine a light” on safer gambling

    This Diwali, we’re “shining a light” on the risks of gambling and the importance of having safer play strategies.

    November 12, 2020
    3 min read

    The New Realities of Land-Based Gaming

    As casinos, bingo halls and other land-based gambling venues re-open across the globe, players are seeing new protocols in place. There is no doubt about it, gambling looks different in a global pandemic. Which begs the question “do player safeguards also need to look different?”

    November 6, 2020
    2 min read

    Gambling in the time of coronavirus? Plan to play it safer

    COVID-19 has taught us all the value of being prepared. And now, as land-based gambling venues reopen in Ontario, visitors can expect many changes: mandatory face masks, social distancing, sanitizing stations and plexiglass barriers to name a few

    October 9, 2020
    1 min read

    IAG Series: RG Standards – Committing to player health

    In the second installment of a new collaboration between IAG and RGC – RG Check Director Tracy Parker explains why robust responsible gaming standards are vital.

    October 4, 2020
    1 min read

    EGR Compliance Q&A with RGC CABP Director Janine Robinson on Playtech Collaboration

    RGC’s Janine Robinson and Playtech director of sustainability, Lauren Iannarone recently spoke to EGR Compliance on cooperating to build better digital resilience among online gamblers.

    September 18, 2020
    1 min read

    Playtech launches new collaboration with RGC

    Playtech has agreed a research and evaluation-led partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) as part of its efforts to combat gambling-related harm. The partnership will examine links between mental health, digital wellbeing and gambling using several research, evaluation and thought leadership initiatives.

    September 17, 2020
    1 min read

    YGAM spearheads GP problem gambling training initiative

    Dr. Sasha Stark, Senior Researcher at RGC, speaks about the RGC’s role in the training programme behind Mindful Resilience.

    September 17, 2020
    1 min read

    IAG Series: Responsible gambling – A winning strategy

    In the first installment of a new collaboration between IAG and the Responsible Gambling Council – RGC CEO Shelley White explains the keys to a successful RG strategy.

    August 3, 2020
    4 min read

    Large majority of Ontarians who gamble are aware of the risks: Survey

    The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is delivering outreach programs across Ontario to raise awareness of risks associated with gambling and how people can protect themselves. These public education initiatives are supported by a new RGC survey of Ontarians that explores attitudes and behaviours about gambling.

    January 29, 2020
    3 min read

    RGC Joins All-In Diversity Project in Support of Diversity & Inclusion in Canada

    The All-In Diversity Project is proud to announce its latest Strategic Partnership with The Responsible Gambling Council of Canada, one of the world’s leading authorities on the prevention of problem gambling and the first Canadian partner for All-In.

    February 14, 2019
    3 min read

    Remembering Tibor Barsony: Founder of The Canadian Foundation On Compulsive Gambling

    Friends, family and colleagues are remembering an influential and courageous trailblazer who has passed away. Tibor Barsony, founder and executive director of the Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling (CFCG) from 1983 to 1997, died on Friday August 11th, 2017.

    August 25, 2017