If you’ve been to one of the 36 casinos across B.C., you might be familiar with BCLC’s provincewide team of GameSense Advisors.
As player-health specialists, they work to support safer play and positive experiences by connecting with people at the casino and online. Their role is to offer information and support to players that helps keep gambling fun.
While they offer the same resources and support no matter where they work, every GameSense Advisor comes with their own diverse experiences, unique perspective and ways of approaching player health.
One of them is Darren Dorrington, the local GameSense Advisor at Chances Playtime in Campbell River.
Originally from Ontario, Dorrington felt the call west in his early twenties and made a fresh start out of B.C.’s mountains and forests. He established a career built on helping people, which led him to roles in casino security and, eventually, GameSense. “I became a GameSense Advisor because I wanted a role where listening, empathy and honest conversations could make a real difference, even in small moments,” Dorrington said.
Like Dorrington, Dani Herbert grew up outside of the province and only later found home in B.C.’s interior, where she now works as the GameSense Advisor at Chances Casino Kelowna.
Though Herbert lived most of her life in Ontario, her early life was spent in many different places as a “military brat,” even leaving Canada to live in California for two years. Her career began in psychology and social work, which taught her how to have empathetic conversations by getting curious and asking questions.
“I love how the main part of our job is creating trust through relationships,” Herbert said. “When I can’t understand something, I usually dig in and try to figure out the answers. I’ve realized through my life experiences that I love to learn and I need new challenges.”
For Gurpreet Cheema, their colleague at Chances Abbotsford, his community has always been home.
Born and raised in Abbotsford, he believes establishing and maintaining connection with the local community is an important part of his work. Whether it’s a hello or a smile, he believes small interactions can have a big impact.
“I make a point of meeting people where they’re at and I focus on being friendly and easy to talk to,” Cheema explained. “By having a comfortable presence, players naturally like being around you and talking about how they feel. People are more likely to confide in someone after regular contact and conversation.”
Cheema’s background before becoming a GameSense Advisor includes studies in architectural drafting, work as an adjudicator with the B.C. Public Service, various security roles and service as a soldier with the Canadian Armed Forces. He also practiced and taught Meditation for most of his life and he continues to teach Tai Chi after many years.
Their lives outside of work are as diverse as their backgrounds. While Cheema continues to teach Meditation and Tai Chi, Dorrington builds fantasy worlds through digital art and design and recently began practicing Historical European Martial Arts. Herbert says she likes to spend time caring for plants and animals.
Despite their differences, all three bring heart to the GameSense Advisor role by putting people first – not gambling outcomes.
“Being someone that people feel comfortable talking to is what makes the work meaningful to me, because they’re not just players – they’re neighbours, familiar faces and members of the same community I live in,” said Dorrington. “Safer gambling conversations work best when they’re about understanding the person, not just the play.”
When players feel truly understood and supported, those conversations can become transformative. Cheema recalled one especially meaningful interaction in which a player came to him visibly shaken and concerned about their gambling. As they spoke, it became clear they were facing a lot more than gambling challenges. Cheema asked if the player would be open to calling the Province’s Gambling Support B.C. hotline together.
“That call ended up being life‑changing,” Cheema said. “They were given a clear plan of action and contacts for immediate support.” The player left the casino in tears of relief — and returned six months later with a hug and an update. “They told me everything had turned around after that day, and how thankful they were that GameSense existed.”
Putting people first also means helping players set clear expectations for themselves and stay grounded in the reason they chose to gamble in the first place.
“If you go to a hockey game or go out for the night, it’s understood that you will spend money by the end of the night, and that’s okay, because it was in your budget,” said Herbert. “Gambling is the same. Sometimes, you might leave with money, but that’s just a bonus. The goal was a fun time.”
All three offered some practical, everyday advice to help players keep their play enjoyable.
“Go in with a clear intention for your play and check in with yourself as you go,” Dorrington said.
Herbert said: “Come in with cash only. Once it’s spent, you’re done for the day,” said Herbert.
“Take regular breaks, go for a walk or get something to eat — especially if it’s no longer feeling fun,” said Cheema.
They also want people to know that conversations about gambling don’t have to start with a crisis.
“You don’t have to be struggling to talk to a GameSense Advisor. Whether you’re looking for tips, tools or just want to talk, GameSense Advisors are here for everyone,” said Herbert. “It’s easy to connect with us. Next time you’re at the casino, just stop by the booth and say hello.”
GameSense Advisors like Herbert, Dorrington and Cheema are available in person at B.C. casinos, by phone toll free at 1-866-815-0222 (extension 3) or by live chat at GameSense.com.
