The Massachusetts Gaming Commission would like to commend MGM Resorts International for adopting the innovative and comprehensive responsible gaming program known as GameSense. Today MGM Resorts International announced an agreement with BCLC, British Columbia’s provincial gambling corporation, to license GameSense—perhaps the most robust and effective responsible gaming program in the world. MGM anticipates having GameSense fully integrated into all of its properties across the USA within the year.

In February 2015, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) adopted GameSense as part of its mission to encourage responsible play and mitigate problem gambling.  At that time, Massachusetts became the first jurisdiction outside of Canada to embrace the internationally recognized program.

The agreement between MGM Resorts International and BCLC was announced at the fifth annual New Horizons in Responsible Gambling Conference in Vancouver, B.C., and marks the first time a program of this kind is being licensed by any commercial gaming company in North America.

In Massachusetts, each gaming establishment is required by statute to provide on-site space (the GameSense Info Center) for player education. Massachusetts is the only jurisdiction in the country required by law to offer responsible gaming resources on-site. There, patrons can learn about myths associated with gambling, the odds of the games they are playing, take a break, and seek support from a GameSense Advisor. In addition, GameSense combines recommendations on responsible gaming techniques with interactive tools and exhibits meant to engage patrons at Massachusetts casino gaming facilities and online at GameSenseMA.com.

“In advance of introducing casinos, following a powerful mandate from the Legislature, MGC proactively sought to identify the most advanced and promising responsible gaming practices,” said MGC Chairman Steve Crosby. “Given the proven success of BCLC’s GameSense program, the Commission takes pride in our decision to pursue this innovative strategy and we are thrilled that MGM Resorts International is committing to this program in all its U.S. properties. MGM won a casino license in Massachusetts because we recognized that MGM is one of the true leaders in casino development and community responsibility. This decision continues to re-enforce that leadership.”

About GameSense

Introduced by BCLC in 2009, GameSense is an innovative, player-focused responsible gambling program that encourages players to adopt behaviours and attitudes that can reduce the risk of developing gambling disorders. This includes setting and sticking to personally-allocated time and monetary limits for gambling, as well as being open and honest with family, friends and oneself when it comes to personal gambling habits.

GameSense has earned international recognition such as the World Lottery Association’s Best Overall Responsible Gambling Program (2010), and the U.S. – based National Council on Problem Gambling’s Social Responsibility Award (2015). In addition to being licensed and piloted at MGM Resort International casino properties, the program has been implemented by Connecticut Lottery, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Canadian provinces Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

About MGC

The mission of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is to create a fair, transparent, and participatory process for implementing the expanded gaming law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in November, 2011. In creating that process, the Commission will strive to ensure that its decision-making and regulatory systems engender the confidence of the public and participants, and that they provide the greatest possible economic development benefits and revenues to the people of the Commonwealth, reduce to the maximum extent possible the potentially negative or unintended consequences of the new legislation, and allow an appropriate return on investment for gaming providers that assures the operation of casino-resorts of the highest quality. For more information on MGC, please visit MassGaming.com or connect and share on Twitter (@MassGamingComm) or Facebook www.facebook.com/MAGamingComm.