Responsible Gambling Council - RGC

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Responsible Gambling Council - RGC

The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling.

08/20/2026

Explore gaming and gambling experiences through Métis storytelling, creativity, and community connection.

This fall, the MNO Mental Wellness Health Promotion Team is offering The Rivers We Paddle, a new weekly storytelling program for Métis adults.

Participants will reflect on how gaming or gambling has shown up in their lives and communities, while learning about Métis storytelling and creating a story of their own through art, music, spoken word, writing, or another creative form.

Registration is open now and closes September 13.

Register here: https://ow.ly/OUoQ50ZBvAN

Responsible Gambling Council - RGC Unsinkable

06/22/2026

With Toronto’s first official World Cup match behind us, the excitement is palpable in the air. Bright lights. Crowds of fans. The match-day excitement is easy to get caught up in.

Early data from our five-year longitudinal sports betting study confirms that 52.7% of soccer bettors report their recent betting to be atypical of their regular gaming routines. Of those, 38.4% pointed directly to a major sporting event as the driver.

Young adults under 25 are particularly vulnerable to these high-speed betting environments, especially when considering that 91.8% of soccer bettors are engaging in live, in-play betting. Making decisions as the match unfolds leads to uncertainty, emotional intensity, and behaviours associated with higher-risk patterns.

This World Cup season, we’re encouraging sports fans to remember to pause. Take a moment to pause before making a decision. Take a moment to pause before the game. Make a plan, set a budget before kickoff, and remember that long, intense matches can make it harder to stick to the plan you set.

Visit PlanBeforeYouPlay.ca to learn how to make a plan and stick to it.

05/27/2026

Sports betting and online gambling are more accessible than ever. So how do we talk to young people about the risks without judgment or fear?

Tonight, join RGC and the Community Healing Project through the City of Toronto from 7:00-8:30 PM for a free virtual session on gambling harm prevention.

We’ll be answering your questions about sports betting, online gambling and its impact on youth, warning signs to look for, and sharing practical guidance on how to start supportive conversations that matter.

Register to gain practical strategies and insights to support the young people in your life: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-gambling-harm-prevention-a-virtual-workshop-for-youths-and-parents-tickets-1987541769937?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/19/2026

"I really love being in a position of helping people," - Tim Hawkes, PlaySmart Advisor.

The work that makes a difference usually happens in the small moments. A question answered. A safe conversation over a warm cup of coffee. A person who takes the time to listen.

PlaySmart is there to support players and provide access to information, support, and a listening ear when they need it.

Explore PlaySmart Centres: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play/locate-a-playsmart-centre?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=psc20&utm_content=sizzle

05/08/2026

Sometimes gambling stops being fun and starts feeling like something else. Stress. Tension. The urge to bet again to make up for a loss.

If any of that sounds familiar, we want you to know that noticing it is a genuine first step. A lot of people don't pause long enough to recognize when their enjoyment has shifted into something that doesn't feel as good anymore.

It doesn't have to reach a crisis point for it to be worth addressing. Whether you want to set firmer limits, take a break for a while, or talk to someone, support is available and there's no wrong time to reach out.

🔗 Find resources and tools at: https://responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play

05/07/2026

Do you recognize the early warning signs of problem gambling?

The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey reports 8% of students have reported betting money on an online game in the past year. Another 16% participated in other gambling activities such as card games or scratch cards.

Research shows a strong correlation between mental health difficulties and gambling problems. Gambling often makes these challenges worse, creating a harmful cycle that’s difficult to break.

Recognize the warning signs:
・ Skipping classes or work to gamble
・ Spending less time with friends or avoiding family events to gamble
・ Lying about how much time and money is spent gambling
・ Having increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial problems due to gambling
・ Borrowing and/or selling personal items, or stealing, to get money to gamble
・ Experiencing extreme highs from wins, and extreme lows from losses
・ Using gambling as a way to earn money

Visit https://responsiblegambling.org/parents/its-time-to-start-the-conversation/ for more information on how to start the conversation.

[Boak, A., & Hamilton, H. A. (2024). The mental health and well-being of Ontario students,
1991–2023: Findings from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.]

05/06/2026

Those feelings are worth paying attention to.

Noticing them isn't a weakness. It's the first step toward making a different choice. You've got options. And recognizing that your time, wallet, or relationships are being affected is how you start using your options.

You can find support and tools at: https://responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play

04/07/2026

Know when to make a change.

If gambling's been cutting into your time, your wallet, or your relationships, maybe it's time to take a break.

Make a change at www.ChangeYourPlay.ca

04/02/2026

Today, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) unveiled their 2026 Young Adult Intervention PSA campaign with the goal of helping people make informed and safer gambling choices.

Learn more in my statement below.

03/23/2026

🏒🏀 Knowing the Game Doesn’t Mean Knowing the Odds

With major sporting events like March Madness, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and FIFA tournaments capturing fans’ attention, sports betting has become a common way many people engage with the excitement.

But experts warn that one popular type of wager — parlay betting — is often misunderstood.

Parlays combine multiple picks into a single bet, promising larger payouts. The catch? Every selection must win. Even if you get four out of five picks correct, the entire bet is lost. As more selections are added, the odds of winning drop dramatically, even if each pick seems reasonable.

According to the Responsible Gambling Council, many bettors assume that deep knowledge of sports gives them an edge. In reality, betting outcomes remain fundamentally unpredictable, and the belief that expertise guarantees success is known as the “illusion of control.”

Research shows sports bettors experience gambling harm at twice the rate of the general gambling population, with young men aged 18–34 at particularly higher risk.

Experts recommend simple steps for safer betting:
✔️ Set a budget before the game begins
✔️ Avoid chasing losses
✔️ Consider single bets instead of parlays
✔️ Avoid betting while drinking

At the end of the day, sports betting should remain entertainment — not a financial strategy.

As the Responsible Gambling Council reminds fans: go in with a plan, and you’ll enjoy the game even more when it’s over.

Responsible Gambling Council - RGC

Address

Toronto, ON

Telephone

+14164999800

Website

http://ResponsibleGambling.org/

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