Frequently Asked Questions about our Public Education Mandate

Q: Why does the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission (MGCC) run public education campaigns? Isn’t the MGCC a gaming regulator?

A: The MGCC is a gaming regulator; however, we recognize that regulating gambling has evolved beyond the historical functions of licensing, registration and investigation to include policy advisory activities and public interest initiatives like our public education campaigns. This is also recognized in The Gaming Control Act, which directs the MGCC to educate the public about responsible gambling and to conduct the research necessary to do so.

Q: Where does the MGCC get the ideas and information for its campaigns?

A: All of our public education initiatives are grounded in research, from external research from jurisdictions around the world to research conducted right here at the MGCC. For example, findings about Manitobans’ gambling-related attitudes, knowledge and behaviours from the MGCC’s Manitobans and Gambling surveys informed our myth-busting and limit-setting campaigns. Please click here to learn more about our research activities.

Q: Are the MGCC’s campaigns targeted at problem gamblers?

A: Although the MGCC recognizes the importance of education and treatment for problem gamblers, our public education campaigns are intended to prevent gambling-related harm by teaching the general public about gambling myths and about strategies for gambling responsibly. Treatment programs targeted at problem gamblers are available through the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

Q: Why aren’t these campaigns done by the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation (MLC) or the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM)?

A: The Gaming Control Act authorizes the MGCC to conduct research and public education, and our campaigns fall within this mandate. The MLC and AFM share similar objectives of encouraging responsible gambling and reducing the harm associated with problem gambling. Although the MLC and AFM have not been involved in our public education campaigns, they are involved in many other responsible gambling initiatives and often work in collaboration with the MGCC.

Q: Who pays for the MGCC’s campaigns?

A: The MGCC’s public education campaigns are fully paid for by the MGCC. The MGCC is self-funding and we generate the majority of our revenue from VLT and slot machine registration fees.

 

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