OLG Wants You to Play Smart

PLAYSMART IS A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING EDUCATION RESOURCE

TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Does buying more lottery tickets for a big jackpot help your chances of winning? Is there such a thing as a "hot" slot machine?  The answer to these questions and more can now be found by using a new program from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) called PlaySmart. 

PlaySmart is a suite of innovative resources providing our customers with tools, advice and information to help them play smart. 

As global leader in Responsible Gambling (RG), OLG has designed PlaySmart to become Ontario's most relevant and comprehensive gambling education resource.

PlaySmart's goal is to help gamblers, new and seasoned, to better understand key gambling concepts, to know how the games work, and to base their play budgets on informed choices. In the coming years, OLG will expand PlaySmart by adding more resources it currently provides directly to players.

"PlaySmart builds on OLG's years of experience developing and managing Responsible Gambling programs," says Paul Pellizzari, OLG's Executive Director Policy & Social Responsibility. "It's important to realize that all players can benefit from understanding the games they play. We want to provide the right information to the right players at the right time. We want you to play smart to keep gambling fun."

Examples of PlaySmart tools and resources include:

• PlaySmart.ca: An online resource, providing Ontarians with comprehensive gambling education about how games work.
  
  
• My PlaySmart Tools: Slots outfitted with technology to allow the player to set spending and time thresholds on their play.
  
  
• ATM Messaging: ATM screens at pilot gaming sites updated with useful tips from Credit Canada to encourage players to reflect on gambling spend.
  
  
• Educational print and digital messages: Customers can access PlaySmart at all OLG's lines of business - Slots and Casinos, lottery retailers, PlayOLG.ca and at 31 Charitable Gaming Centres across the province.

Also, other existing RG programs, such as the Responsible Gambling Resource Centres at 53 slot, casino and charitable gaming centres in Ontario will be redeveloped as PlaySmart centres.

"While PlaySmart helps people make better informed decisions about gambling, for players who have more serious issues with gambling, OLG provides information, assistance and referrals to free support services across the province," said Mr. Pellizzari.

In 2015, OLG's RG program was acknowledged by the World Lottery Association (WLA) as the Best Overall Responsible Gaming Program in the world. In addition, all OLG Slots and Casinos have earned RG Check accreditation by the Responsible Gambling Council. RG Check is recognized as the most rigorous Responsible Gambling (RG) accreditation program in the world.  

More information is available on PlaySmart.ca, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, the PlayOLG Internet gaming website and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres across the province. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. OLG's annual payments to the province have helped support the operation of hospitals; prevention, treatment and research of problem gambling; amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program; and local and provincial charities. OLG was a Premier Sponsor of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games.

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PlaySmart Backgrounder:
Gambling/Lottery Myths and Truths

Myths and Truths

While 74 per cent of frequent gamblers consider themselves very knowledgeable about playing slots and games¹, there are still common misunderstandings and long-held myths that exist about gambling. PlaySmart, Ontario's new comprehensive gambling education resource, is designed to take away the myths about gambling, not the fun.

Gambling

Myth:	The longer you play, the more likely you are to win.
Truth:	Slots machines, roulette wheels and card tables are based on randomness and chance. The outcome of any play cannot be predicted, nor can your chances of winning, no matter how long you play.
Myth:	Staff at casinos and slot facilities can change game outcome.
Truth:	Every play on a slot machine has a random outcome which means the outcome of any play cannot be predicted or controlled by casino staff.
Myth:	Winning comes in streaks, so if you are on a winning streak, you should continue to play.
Truth:	There's no such thing as a winning streak. Games are based on randomness and the independence of events. Just because you've experienced a few wins, doesn't mean you are going to win future plays.
Myth:	If a slot machine hasn't had a recent win, it's due for one.
Truth:	Every slot machine has a Random Number Generator. It's a computer chip that is constantly running so every win or loss is entirely random. As such, slots have no predictable patterns and there's no such thing as a machine that's due to win.
Myth:	Machines go on 'hot' and 'cold' streaks.
Truth:	Every slot machine has a Random Number Generator. It's a computer chip that is constantly running so every win or loss is entirely random. As such, each play is separate from the last and what happens in future plays is not related to what happened in past plays.
Myth:	Hitting the stop button on a slot at just the right moment will cause a winning combination.
Truth:	There is no strategy to improve your chances of winning because wins and losses are random events and every spin is independent of other spins. Slot machines use computers that randomly pick numbers to determine where the reels will stop. There is nothing you can do to the machine that will affect its outcome.
Myth:	When playing roulette, if red has come up 14 times in a row, then betting black next will result in a win.
Truth:	Roulette is based on randomness and the independence of events. Each play is separate from the last and what happens in future plays is not related to what happened in past plays.
Myth:	The chances of winning are better at some times of the day than others, such as between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. for slot machines.
Truth:	The outcome of any game play cannot be predicted, regardless of the time of day you choose to play.
Myth:	If you're smart, you can beat the odds playing table games.
Truth:	Although most forms of gambling require no skill, skill can be applied to card games such as Blackjack and Poker. In these games, players have some room to apply their skill or knowledge, but the gambling operator will always have the house advantage. Advanced players may learn how to reduce their cost of play, but in the long run they too will almost always lose money.

____________________________
¹ OLG Responsible gaming lottery and gaming research – May 2015

Lottery

Myth:	Choosing the same lottery numbers every week or choosing certain numbers will improve the chances of winning.
Truth:	Every number combination has the same chance of being picked. The winning number selection is random and independent from previous draws. You cannot influence the outcome, so betting the same weekly numbers or choosing certain numbers won't help you win.
Myth:	Buying a lottery ticket when the jackpot is higher will help your odds.
Truth:	Lottery numbers are drawn at random and are unrelated to any other factors.
Myth:	Some lottery numbers are drawn more often than others.
Truth:	Lottery numbers are drawn randomly. Any number is just as likely to be drawn as any other number.
Myth:	If a store advertises they sold a winning lottery ticket, they will likely sell another.
Truth:	The selection of winning lottery numbers is random and independent from previous draws.
Myth:	Your chances of winning a lottery are better depending on where you purchase your ticket.
Truth:	Lottery numbers are drawn randomly and are not impacted by where a ticket is purchased.

More information is available at PlaySmart.ca

For more information contact:
OLG Media Relations
1.888.946.6716

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

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PlaySmart Backgrounder:
Player Categories

PlaySmart's goal is to help OLG's players, new and seasoned, better understand key gambling concepts, how the games work, base their play budgets on informed choices and how to enjoy the experience responsibly.

PlaySmart has developed the following categories to help players assess what type of player they are.

Player Categories

1.	New Players – "I'm just looking for a new experience"
	Those who've recently had their first experience with gambling or playing the Lottery. They may not consider Lottery a form of gambling.
	Exploring a new form of entertainment Driven by a desire to join in on the fun and dream big Forming ideas about what gambling is May have been exposed to online gambling sites May not understand or may have preconceived notions of how Lottery or gambling odds work
2.	Casual Players – "Let's have some fun, but I'm still learning"
	Infrequent gamblers or Lottery players with minimal experience or knowledge. They may not consider Lottery a form of gambling.
	Occasionally buy a raffle or Lottery ticket  Make planned visits to slots and/or casinos with friends or if there's a special occasion  May be playing Lottery looking for a brief escape (Instants), have practical dreams (playing Ontario-only Lotteries), have big aspiration dreams (playing National Lotteries) or a desire to apply their sports knowledge and strategy in a fun way  Gambling or playing Lottery is a novelty
3.	Serious Social Players – "I know how to play and am in control"
	Casual gamblers and Lottery players with moderate play and knowledge of gambling. They may not consider Lottery a form of gambling.
	Started playing when they were younger Gambling at slots and/or casinos is a main form of entertainment It has become a part of their daily routine Don't always plan visits to slots and/or casinos and impromptu visits may be driven by "feeling lucky"  Gambling does not come before work or family, but is an important part of their lives They likely have control over their gambling and Lottery activities
4.	Possible Harm  – "This used to be more fun, but if I stop I'll never win"
	Frequent and intense gamblers and Lottery players.
	Started playing when they were younger It's likely gone beyond entertainment They may be unaware they are starting to lose control Their gambling and Lottery play may now be causing problems at work, home and/or with relationships They may be feeling regretful about the money and time they are spending
5.	Possible Uncontrolled - "I need to play!"
	High-risk, problem gamblers who make frequent visits to Slots and/or Casinos or Lottery retailers.
	Gambling and Lottery play may have taken over their lives May be unable to control the urge to gamble or play Lottery, despite the harm May use gambling and Lottery play to escape problems and relieve anxiety

More information is available at PlaySmart.ca

For more information contact:
OLG Media Relations
1.888.946.6716

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

Disponible en français

SOURCE OLG

OLG MEDIA RELATIONS, 1-888-946-6716