Missouri casinos plan to engage employees, patrons and the public in a
conversation about responsible gaming during the 12th annual
Responsible Gaming Education Week, Aug. 3 to 7.
All 12 Missouri casinos will participate in Responsible Gaming
Education Week, which is sponsored on a national level by the American
Gaming Association. This year, the AGA theme "Know the Code" emphasizes
the organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, which serves
as a guideline for the responsible gaming policies and procedures in
use at casinos across the country.
Life Crisis Services, a not-for-profit agency that staffs the
888-BETSOFF hotline, will provide learning seminars at Missouri casinos
during Responsible Gaming Education Week. Casinos also will display
responsible gaming posters, banners and table tents; distribute
wristbands, buttons, information cards, ribbons and stickers to
employees and customers; and include articles on responsible gaming in
casino publications and on Web sites.
The Missouri Gaming Association and its casino company members
sponsor and fund a variety of year-round programs to address
responsible gaming issues. Every Missouri casino property has a
designated employee who serves as director of responsible gaming
programs, which include:
• 1-888-BETSOFF, a statewide telephone crisis line and referral service for problem gambling.
• Project 21, which addresses underage gambling;
• Operation Bet Smart, which focuses on compulsive gambling;
• alcohol awareness programs to promote responsible consumption of alcohol.
Responsible Gaming Education Week activities at Kansas City area casinos include:
Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa, Riverside
• Penn National Gaming, Argosy's parent company, is sponsoring the
Penn Responsible Gaming Challenge, with prize money to the casino
properties that most effectively promote responsible gaming during
Responsible Gaming Education Week.
• Argosy Casino will promote Responsible Gaming Education Week on a billboard along Interstate 35.
• On Monday, Aug. 3, Argosy Casino will announce the winners of a
T-shirt design contest, and the top design will be featured on T-shirts
distributed to employees during Responsible Gaming Education Week.
• Certified compulsive gambling counselors from Life Crisis will
staff a booth all week for anyone with questions about responsible
gaming.
• Employees will play games and quizzes to hone their knowledge of responsible gaming issues, and the casino will offer prizes.
• Employees will wear wristbands and buttons, and will have
informational cards on hand with useful tips to promote responsible
gaming to guests.
• Argosy will sponsor volunteer opportunities with local charities
and present checks to two local charities, the Riverside Police
Athletic League and Northland Health Care Access.
• The mayor of Riverside will officially declare Aug. 3 to 7 as Responsible Gaming Education Week.
Isle of Capri, Kansas City
• Employees will wear orange "Keep It Fun" wristbands.
• All employees will view the "Knowing the Code" presentation and
will be asked to confirm their participation and understanding of the
AGA Code of Conduct.
• Responsible gaming posters, brochures and other materials will be displayed throughout the property.
Harrah's, North Kansas City
• An article and ad will be featured in the Casino Connection magazine
• Employees will wear responsible gaming stickers.
• Harrah's will award prizes to employees participating in responsible gaming and Code of Conduct quizzes.
• Employee paycheck stubs will feature a responsible gaming message.
Ameristar, Kansas City
• Ameristar will distribute responsible gaming posters, table tents, ribbons and stickers.
• City proclamations will support Responsible Gaming Education Week.
• Back-of-house bulletin boards will display responsible gaming information.
• Articles on Responsible Gaming Education Week will be published in employee publications.
• Employees will be educated about responsible gaming issues at pre-shift meetings.
• Ameristar will award prizes to employees through responsible gaming quizzes.
• A responsible gaming message will appear on employees' computer desktops.
• An on-hold phone message will reference Ameristar's support of Responsible Gaming Education Week.
• A banner on Ameristar's website will inform the public about Responsible Gaming Education Week.
The Missouri Gaming Association is the statewide trade association
of the Missouri casino entertainment industry and its related
professionals. Formed in 1993, the Missouri Gaming Association provides
research and information to increase awareness of the economic benefits
of Missouri's casinos
For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.
