Responsible Gambling Council and iGaming Ontario Expand Harm Prevention to 40 Ontario Campuses

The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), in partnership with iGaming Ontario, is expanding its gambling harm prevention program to 40 publicly funded colleges and universities across Ontario for the 2026-27 academic year. This initiative will enable RGC to double the reach of its Post-Secondary Campus Tour, aiming for 10,000 in-person student interactions plus distribution of at least 10,000 Student Education Kits featuring harm prevention resources and information on BetGuard, Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion tool for regulated online gambling.

Overview of the 2026-27 Campus Tour Expansion

For the coming academic year, the RGC will deliver its gambling harm prevention program on 40 publicly funded post-secondary campuses in Ontario. This represents a significant increase from the previous baseline of 20 campuses, made possible by new support from iGaming Ontario. Ontario’s Ministry of Health continues to provide foundational funding for the initiative. The expanded tour is expected to engage up to 10,000 students directly in harm prevention conversations.

The program expansion coincides with the launch of Student Education Kits—a newly funded element this year. RGC aims to distribute at least 10,000 of these kits via campus Health Services, Residence Life teams, Student Services, and Wellness groups. Each kit contains key harm prevention messaging, an information card on voluntary self-exclusion via BetGuard, and a QR code for immediate access to Ontario’s online self-exclusion system.

Focus on Young Adults and Gambling Risk

Young adults aged 18 to 24 face higher risks of gambling-related harms, particularly when engaging with online gambling and sports betting. According to a 2021 study by Montiel et al., young people show greater susceptibility to online gambling risks. In Ontario, approximately 70% of this age group attend college or university, making campus-based education a critical outreach method before problematic behaviours take hold.

Interactive Prevention: The Random Tower Program

At the centre of the campus tour is an interactive event titled The Random Tower, now in its 25th year. This live experience features a custom Jenga-style game, overseen by RGC-trained, peer-aged Educational Ambassadors. Students remove blocks from a life-size tower, with each block revealing a hidden message about randomness, harm reduction, or factors outside personal control that affect gambling outcomes.

The objective is to demonstrate that outcomes—whether in casino games or sports betting—are driven by chance, not player skill. Whether the tower stands or collapses, the message is the same: players are not in full control of gambling results. Educational Ambassadors facilitate these activities, answer questions, and provide information on available support, including BetGuard.

BetGuard: Ontario’s Centralized Self-Exclusion Solution

A key feature of this year’s program is the integration of BetGuard, Ontario’s online self-exclusion tool for regulated gambling. Created by iGaming Ontario on behalf of the provincial government, BetGuard enables individuals to opt out of all provincially regulated online gambling sites in a single process. This practical support tool is intended for players seeking a break from gambling or needing additional control, and it is promoted both during campus events and within Student Education Kits.

"Young adults are growing up in a world where betting is woven into how they watch and talk about sports. Meeting students on campus, in the moments that matter, is how we help them understand the risks and know their options. With iGaming Ontario’s support, we can now do that on almost all publicly funded campuses in the province." — Sarah McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer, Responsible Gambling Council

"We are excited to partner with the Responsible Gambling Council to bring meaningful gambling education to 40 of Ontario’s publicly funded post-secondary campuses. We’re proud to have recently launched BetGuard, which gives Ontarians a simple option to take a break from all regulated online gambling. This is just one part of our comprehensive responsible gaming approach that includes ongoing education on risks and knowing where to get support when you need it." — Joseph Hillier, President and CEO, iGaming Ontario

Harm Prevention Resources and Stakeholder Collaboration

Students, campus partners, and treatment agencies can access further information on the 2026-27 campus tour and the BetGuard program through news updates and the official project sites. Free, confidential help for anyone impacted by gambling in Ontario remains available via ConnexOntario by phone, text, and live chat support.

The Responsible Gambling Council, with over 40 years' expertise, continues to deliver internationally recognised prevention, research, and accreditation programmes including the RG Check accreditation process. iGaming Ontario, as a Crown agency, supports the regulated online gambling market in Ontario, working closely with operators to ensure both a competitive market and high standards for player protection.

What the Expansion Means for Operators and Regulators

For operators licensed by iGaming Ontario, the expansion of campus-focused harm prevention efforts underlines regulatory priorities for player protection and responsible gambling education. Partnership between RGC, the Ministry of Health, and iGaming Ontario demonstrates an integrated approach to harm minimization, with BetGuard positioned as a cross-platform solution for self-exclusion. As prevention education reaches a broader demographic, operators are advised to ensure alignment with best practice standards—in both promotion and player support—to meet community and regulatory expectations.

More developments on responsible gambling initiatives may be found in the regulation and b2b sections.