Programs that accept and, where possible, attempt to resolve complaints regarding the licensing, unethical or improper conduct of personnel or other business practices of casinos, card clubs, race tracks, jai alai operations, telephone or Internet gambling concerns and other organizations that offer legalized gambling.

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Programs that establish and enforce laws that define the types of gambling that are legal or illegal in a particular province and the conditions under which legal gambling can be conducted; and/or which license and oversee legal gambling establishments and their activities. Included are regulations for casino and riverboat gambling; First Nations casino gaming; slot machines and other electronic gaming; poker, pai gow, super pan and other cardroom gaming; bingo gaming; pari-mutuel wagering on horse races, dog races and jai alai; professional and college sports betting; provincial lotteries; telegambling using 900 numbers; and Internet gambling.

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Programs that provide a way for people to voluntarily ban themselves from a casino, other gambling establishments and online gambling and betting sites in order to deal with gambling problems. The programs may be mandated by the government or voluntarily established by casinos and other gaming operators. The casino agrees to remove the self-excluded person from its direct mail lists and to revoke privileges for casino services such as casino-issued markers, player club/card privileges and on-site cheque-cashing. Self-exclusion programs vary widely in terms of their administration and the number of years a person remains on the self-exclusion list once signed on to the program (many require a lifetime ban); and under most agreements, the individual risks trespassing charges if she or he attempts to return to the casino and forfeits any winnings. In addition to casinos, many racetracks and even a few provincial lotteries may offer self-exclusion programs in which anyone can enroll. Online betting and gambling sites also have arrangements for self exclusion which can be short-term cooling off periods set by the player for seven days to several months or longer, or permanent arrangements. Once a player permanently excludes him or herself, the ban is irrevocable, players are not allowed to open a new account or change a 3 month ban to a 7 day ban. Many online gaming operations host a number of different platforms, so self-exclusion from one platform will generally carry over to all other platforms. During the time a player is self excluded, their player account is also frozen, so they are not eligible to make any withdrawals. Once their chosen cooling off period is completed, their account is reinstated and they can either resume gameplay or they can cash out their account entirely. In some juristictions, players who are self-excluded from casino play are automatically excluded from online play.

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Mutual support groups whose members are the spouses/partners of people who are having difficulty controlling their compulsion to gamble; children of all ages whose parents, guardians or other parent figures are involved in problem gambling; and/or friends of those individuals. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes to solve the problems they have in common, and to support the recovery of their loved one.

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Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance for people who are having difficulty controlling their compulsion to gamble, and for their families. Some programs may include a financial counselling and/or management component which helps individuals deal with issues related to their spending and accumulated debt.

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Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of compulsive gambling through a variety of educational interventions which help people understand the nature of a gambling disorder (gambling that causes psychological, physical, social or vocational disruptions in the lives of people for whom gambling is an issue); the risk factors and warning signs; and sources for treatment and support. Included are prevention programs that address specific target populations (e.g., helping professionals, people who are at risk for the problem or people who are concerned about their own gambling or the gambling of someone they care about) as well as those that are intended to reach the community at large. Delivery formats may include printed materials, videos or websites that address the subject and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups.

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