Slide 1

Busting the Myths
Dave Grift – Addictions Foundation of
Manitoba (AFM)
&
Elizabeth Stephenson – Manitoba Gaming
Control Commission (MGCC)


Slide 2

Responsible Gaming
Information Centres (RGIC)
Joint project of Manitoba Lotteries
Corporation (MLC) & AFM
 First project of its kind in North
America – now copied across Canada
 At both Winnipeg Casinos
 Staffed by AFM Gambling Prevention &
Education Consultants



Slide 3

Staff at the RGIC Provide:
Information, Support and Referral
to Guests
 Information & Consultation to
Casino Staff & Managers


Since December 2002 over 14,000 Casino
guests and staff have accessed the RGIC’s
(over 75 % for information)


Slide 4

INFORMATION
Dispelling myths & misinformation
 On randomness & house
advantage in casino games
 On how slot machines work
 On how much it will cost to play
casino games
 Tips on safe gambling strategies



Slide 5

Prevalence of Gambling Myths
with Casino Guests
“You need to stay at it until
the machine is ready to pay”

“I’m Due”

“My lucky machine”

“You’ve turned down the machines”
“You have to know how to play it right”


Slide 6

Where do Myths come from?


Lack of accurate
information on “How
Gambling Works”
- Randomness
- House Advantage
- Independence of
events
- Odds
- Probabilities
- Volatility



Normal human traits
- Persistence pays off
- Achieving goals
- Linking of how & why
things happen
- Seeing patterns
- Developing systems
- Consistency
- Positive thinking
- Selective recall
- Theories on how
things work


Slide 7

= Myths
 Examples
Random outcomes
Near miss
Independence
of events
Volatility

Seeing patterns
Machine warming
up / getting close
Persistence / playing
until the machine pays
Machine turned down


Slide 8

Busting the Myths
 Acknowledge

normal human
traits as some of
our best qualities
but of no value
playing slot
machines



Provide accurate
information on
“How Gambling
Works”

= Busted Myths


Slide 9

Providing accurate information
on the Casino floor
 RGIC

Resources:

Slot Tutorial
Pik-A-Card Game


Slide 10

 Accurate

information helps guests
see gambling as a form of
entertainment

 Most

types of entertainment cost
money (Gambling is no different)


Slide 11

How much are you willing to
spend on your entertainment?
Cost of Play Calculator (long term average
cost)
 Volatility chart (short term experience)
 Video Poker hand simulator
 Money Management (limits, budgeting, log
books)



Slide 12

Actual Return To Player
250%

200%

Percentage

Wins

150%

100%

2X
average cost

50%

5X
average cost

Average
90%
3X
average cost

0%
0

5

10

15

Visits or Trials

20

25

30


Slide 13

Questions
&
Answers
Thank you