JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri casino employees are partnering with the American Gaming Association to celebrate the casino industry’s 25th annual Responsible Gaming Education initiative. Casinos across Missouri will sponsor activities, provide free educational materials and promote responsible gaming during Responsible Gaming Education Month to increase awareness among patrons and reinforce education employees receive year round.
“Responsible gaming is an ongoing priority of our Missouri casino employees, from top executives to front-line team members,” said Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association. “During Responsible Gaming Education Month, our casinos expand on the work they do every day to inform employees and patrons about the issue.”
The Missouri Gaming Association and its casino company members sponsor and fund year-round programs to address responsible gaming issues. Every Missouri casino property has a designated employee who serves as the director of responsible gaming programs for that location.
Missouri’s ongoing responsible gaming programs include:
- 1-888-BETSOFF – a statewide telephone crisis line and referral service for problem gambling;
- Project 21 – a scholarship competition that addresses underage gambling;
- Operation Bet Smart – an awareness program that focuses on compulsive gambling;
- Alcohol Awareness Programs – promote responsible consumption of alcohol.
The American Gaming Association started the initiative in 1998 to promote responsible gaming practices nationwide. The event is part of a year-round focus on responsible gaming education for patrons and employees. The initiative is in association with North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), the World Lottery Association (WLA) and other industry leaders. The initiative was expanded from one week to an entire month last year.
“As gaming expands into new markets and verticals, it’s more important than ever to keep customers at the heart of responsible gaming,” according to the American Gaming Association.
Various casinos throughout the region will be hosting special activities and initiatives, including:
Ameristar Casino St. Charles
Ameristar Casino St. Charles will host refresher training for its team, including quizzes and drawings for prizes. Signage and digital messages will promote responsible gaming awareness.
Ameristar Casino Kansas City
Ameristar Casino Kansas City will have an email campaign to its team throughout the month with responsible gaming quiz questions and drawings for prizes.
Century Casino Caruthersville
Century Casino Caruthersville has several employee events scheduled throughout the month including team training, educational displays in employee areas, games with prize drawings and more.
The official 2023 Responsible Gaming Education Month weekly themes are:
- September 1 – 10 is Empowering Customers to Play Responsibly.
- September 11-17 is Legal, Regulated Gaming Protects Player.
- September 18-24 is Building a Responsible Gaming Culture Within
- September 25-30 is Advancing Responsible Gaming with Research
ABOUT MISSOURI GAMING ASSOCIATION
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry. Founded in 1993, the Missouri Gaming Association works to promote responsible gaming and increase awareness of the economic benefits of casinos in Missouri. The MGA and its casino company members sponsor year-round responsible gaming programs including the 1-888-BETSOFF crisis line and referral service, Project 21 scholarship competition, and Responsible Gaming Awareness Month. For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.
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