The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (or BCLC) has added a number of updates to its self-exclusion program, one of which is a renaming of the program to “Game Break”.
Game Break will also feature a few extra elements, such as an active reinstatement process for players who want to return to the casino, which will include extra support for the players.
Once a player has completed their chosen term for taking a break, which has the options of 6 months, a year, two, or three years, they can choose to return to play but they will only be permitted to play once they complete an online course in responsible gambling. The course will allow them to self-reflect and set goals before they return to playing.
“We want players to gamble within their time and money limits, and we want them to feel empowered to take a break if it’s what they need,” BCLC director of player health Ryan McCarthy said. “Taking a break from something is often seen as a positive choice.
“We’ve designed the Game Break program to reduce barriers and destigmatize self-exclusion, while also including a reinstatement process to help participants better understand their own gambling behaviours if they wish to return to play.
“The changes to our self-exclusion program are another way that we’re working to help individuals make informed decisions about gambling and provide them with support and resources to help them practice positive play behaviours.”
