Standards and Regulations

We’re committed to safe gambling experiences that support the well-being of our players.

Our commitment includes routine audits to ensure our gambling facility service providers and retailers continue to meet expectations as outlined in our policies, procedures and standards. It also means finding ways to make gambling products, environments, and modes of delivery safer.

Our commitment to safer gambling also extends to working with community stakeholders, host local governments, the provincial government, and other national and international responsible gambling organizations to find ways for continuous improvement.

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Regulation

Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch

Our provincial regulator, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, sets standards that BCLC and, in turn, our service providers must meet.

These standards include but are not limited to:

Ensuring all marketing materials present gambling in a responsible manner

Distributing responsible gambling information to easily accessible areas

Clearly stating the odds of winning

Protecting minors from gambling

Providing information that allows players to make good choices

Educating gambling staff on appropriate responses

Administering a voluntary self-exclusion program (Game Break)

Certification

World Lottery Association

In 2023, BCLC was re-certified at Level 4 for responsible gambling programs from the World Lottery Association (WLA). The WLA represents the interests of members from lottery and gambling organizations from 84 countries. BCLC is currently one of only 13 jurisdictions in North America to achieve WLA Level 4 certification, the highest level of certification achievable, and our fifth consecutive time receiving it. Certification is valid for three years and BCLC will submit its application for re-certification in 2026.

An international panel for the WLA's Responsible Gambling Framework awarded the certification for policies and procedures in accordance with its Responsible Gambling Principles.

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RG Check

RG Check is an accreditation program created by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) based on its Responsible Gambling Index. The RGC is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of problem gambling. The program offers gaming companies the opportunity of an independent endorsement of the quality of their responsible gambling safety net.

We’re proud to report that all gambling facilities in B.C. have maintained RG Check certification since beginning the program in 2011.

Training standards

Appropriate Response Training

As part of our commitment to safe and healthy experiences, BCLC requires those who interact directly with players to successfully complete Appropriate Response Training (ART).

ART is an educational program that prepares BCLC staff and service providers' employees in assisting players while taking a proactive stance on the well being of the player. This training is mandatory for all front-line workers, management and security personnel, and is refreshed throughout their employment. Currently, about 14,000 staff have received ART training.

The program helps employees:

  • Learn what responsible gambling means and gain insight into the signs and impacts of problem gambling;
  • Gain knowledge of the resources available to players, families and staff regarding positive play information; and
  • Gain practical experience in effectively communicating with players from dispelling myths and gambling responsibly to player resource information and community support referrals.

We’ve also incorporated responsible gambling awareness into our lottery retailer certification training. To date, 28,000 people who sell lottery products have received this training.

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Game Break Enrollment Training

To ensure enrollment in Game Break, BCLC's self-exclusion program, is a supportive and positive experience for participants, BCLC has enhanced its Game Break training for gaming workers with an online training module. Game Break Enrollment Training reinforces the importance of being compassionate and non-judgmental in order to remove any stigma associated with enrolling in the program.