The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has announced it has received the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Level 4 certification for excellence in responsible-gambling programming for the fourth consecutive time.
Level 4 is the highest level of certification granted by the WLA’s Independent Assessment Panel (IAP) under the Responsible Gambling Framework.
The BCLC is one of just 13 lottery jurisdictions in North America to achieve Level 4 certification. In its Evaluation Report, the IAP noted that the lottery’s ‘Player Education program is by far meeting the highest standards in the field.’
In addition to responsible gambling tools and support on PlayNow.com, the lottery’s player-health programs, including GameSense and Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE), and its ongoing research initiatives, were highlighted as meeting or exceeding industry standards.
Peter ter Weeme, the BCLC’s Chief Social Purpose Officer and Vice-President of Player Experience, said: “BCLC is committed to continuously assessing and improving our player-health programs. Obtaining Level 4 certification is an important endorsement of our strategy as we work towards our goal that no one should be harmed by gambling offered by BCLC.”
The IAP also highlighted player-health safeguards on the BCLC’s online gambling site, noting: “PlayNow.com offers many interesting [Responsible Gambling] features that…are well integrated in the general perspective of a global health approach.”
In particular, the panel recognized the lottery’s expansion of its GameSense Advisor program online and by phone as a ‘good example of your constant commitment to your players’ health’.
Last month, the BCLC announced its interim President and CEO, Greg Moore, would be stepping down from his role in the company on January 15, 2021.
