RGC and iGaming Ontario Expand Gambling Prevention to 40 Public Campuses

The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) will launch its expanded gambling harm prevention program at 40 public campuses in Ontario this academic year, following a strategic alliance with iGaming Ontario. This initiative will allow for a doubling of previous outreach and bring tools like BetGuard and educational kits to a vulnerable student population, with the aim of achieving up to 10,000 direct interactions during the 2026-27 tour.

Expanding the Prevention Tour: Goals and Reach

The annual campus tour, now in its 25th consecutive year, aims to prevent gambling harm among young adults aged 18 to 24. With the financial and logistical support of iGaming Ontario, the RGC is increasing from thirty to forty participating institutions and will distribute at least 10,000 educational kits focused on messages about responsibility and self-care.

A noteworthy fact: nearly 70% of Ontario's youth attend these public educational institutions. Directly accessing this group, according to the RGC, is critical for prevention before serious issues arise. Recent studies (Montiel et al., 2021) indicate that the 18 to 24 age group exhibits a high risk for gambling-related harm, particularly for online gambling.

The Random Tower: Central Educational Tool

At the core of the campaign is The Random Tower, an interactive life-size Jenga activity where students pull blocks containing key messages about chance and risk reduction. The experience illustrates how the outcome of gaming—whether in sports betting or online games—is generated by factors beyond individual control, from uncertain plays in matches to random patterns on platforms. Whether the tower falls or stands, the message is: control over the outcome is limited.

Peer ambassadors trained by the RGC lead the activities, address questions, and share resources and support with participants, including details and access to BetGuard, Ontario's centralized self-exclusion system.

Educational Kits and On-Site Promotion of BetGuard

For the first time, educational kits will accompany the outreach beyond the central event, through Health Services teams, residences, and student wellness areas. Each kit includes information about gambling risks, a BetGuard card, and instructions for understanding the system and exercising the right to self-exclusion from all regulated online sites in the province.

Included within the tour, BetGuard is the provincial self-exclusion tool for adults seeking to pause their participation in any licensed gambling platform in Ontario. Developed by iGaming Ontario on behalf of the Provincial Government, BetGuard simplifies the option to take a break and is promoted as a practical resource to students and university staff.

Partnerships and Institutional Statements

"Young people grow up in an environment where gambling is part of how they see and talk about sports. Our work on campuses, at key moments, helps them understand risks and know their options. Thanks to iGaming Ontario's support, we now have coverage at nearly all public campuses in the province." — Sarah McCarthy, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council.

"We are excited to partner with the RGC to bring meaningful gambling education to 40 public campuses in Ontario. We are proud to have launched BetGuard, which enables citizens to take a pause from regulated gambling. This is just part of our comprehensive approach to responsibility." — Joseph Hillier, President and CEO, iGaming Ontario.

Support Resources and Contact

For more information about the tour and the use of BetGuard, interested parties can find details on the program's official website and access free and confidential help for gambling problems throughout Ontario via ConnexOntario by calling 1-866-531-2600, texting 247247, or chatting at ConnexOntario.ca. For industries, providers, and regulatory sectors, the regulation section offers regular updates on tools and obligations.

Summary Profile of Organizations

The Responsible Gambling Council is an independent non-profit organization with over 40 years of experience designing prevention, awareness, and standard evaluation programs like RG Check, both in Ontario and internationally. It collaborates directly with operators, legislators, and communities.

iGaming Ontario, a state agency, leads the online regulatory framework in the province, connecting players with legal options and promoting operational responsibility through partnerships and safety-focused controls.