VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- When
you gamble, use your GameSense. That's the message MGM Resorts
International will be sharing with its customers across
North America as part of an
agreement with BCLC, British
Columbia's provincial gambling corporation, to license its
responsible gambling program, GameSense. MGM anticipates having
GameSense fully integrated into all of its properties across the
USA within the year.
The agreement, announced at the fifth annual New Horizons in
Responsible Gambling Conference in Vancouver, B.C., marks the first time a
program of this kind is being licensed by any commercial gaming
company in North America.
Jim Lightbody, BCLC President
& CEO, said, "We believe it's our role to take the lead in
providing better responsible gambling programming that supports our
players, helps reduce harm and strengthens the gaming industry as a
whole. We are thrilled MGM Resorts recognizes the value of our
GameSense program, and wants to align with us to further the
positive role it can play in reducing gambling-related harm."
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.
MGM is adopting GameSense to enhance awareness and education
about responsible gambling for players and guests and, in doing so,
raising the standards within the industry.
Alan Feldman, MGM Resorts
International Executive Vice President of Global Industry Affairs,
said, "MGM is excited to adopt the GameSense platform and to form
this dynamic research enterprise. Our vision for GameSense is
to transform the guest experience at our properties by providing a
program that is rooted in enhanced customer service, player
education, and leading research."
As part of the agreement, MGM has committed to funding
$1 million USD over five years,
towards a research partnership between BCLC, MGM, and the
University of Nevada Las Vegas'
(UNLV) International Gaming Institute.
UNLV will help facilitate development
of a consortium of internationally renowned experts in responsible
gambling, and will also work closely with the University of British Columbia's Centre for
Gambling Research. This will include a multi-faceted research
project to enhance GameSense and all responsible gambling products
based on new, data-driven, scientifically-based expertise in
responsible gambling.
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 BCLC:
BCLC is a Crown corporation offering socially responsible gambling
entertainment through 35 casino gaming properties, 7 bingo halls,
over 3,800 lottery retailers and through its online gaming website,
PlayNow.com. Last year, BCLC generated more than $1.3 billion in net income to benefit provincial
and community programs, including healthcare, education and
charities across British Columbia,
Canada.
About MGM Resorts:
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading
global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination
resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The
Mirage. The Company opened MGM National Harbor
in Maryland on December 8, 2016, and is in the
process of developing MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. MGM
Resorts controls and holds a 76 percent economic interest in the
operating partnership of MGM Growth Properties LLC (NYSE: MGP), a
premier triple-net lease real estate investment trust engaged in
the acquisition, ownership and leasing of large-scale destination
entertainment and leisure resorts. The Company also owns 56 percent
of MGM China Holdings Limited (SEHK: 2282), which owns
MGM MACAU and is developing MGM COTAI, and 50 percent of
CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort &
Casino. MGM Resorts is named among FORTUNE® Magazine's 2016 list of
World's Most Admired Companies®. For more information about MGM
Resorts International, visit the Company's website
at www.mgmresorts.com.
MGM is committed to reducing gambling related harm, and provides
leadership and funding for the U.S. National Center for Responsible
Gaming.
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SOURCE MGM Resorts