Ontario’s government and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) have teamed up for a new safer gaming campaign, seeking to raise awareness of the increased risk of problem gambling that younger men face. According to the announcement, the campaign will focus on male players in the 19-24 age range, since they are considered to be an especially vulnerable group.
RGC Encourages Players to Take a “Moment of Reflection”
The RGC said that its new strategy will include a new public service announcement (PSA) that will be streamed across multiple Canadian TV channels. In addition to that, the PSA will appear across multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. The announcement will also feature on broadcasting services, such as Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube.
In addition to raising awareness of the risks, the campaign, dubbed “Moment of Reflection,” will also highlight the safer gaming tools and educational materials available to players.
The campaign was funded via the Responsible Internet Gambling Fund (RIGF), which receives CAD 3 million a year to make such initiatives possible. The fund’s objective is to fuel initiatives that raise awareness of the dangers of excessive gambling and prevent harm before it happens.
Speaking about the new campaign, Sarah McCarthy, CEO of the RGC, emphasized that her team is always wary of the ever-changing online gaming space, which continues to evolve in ways that end up normalizing gaming among the youth.
McCarthy acknowledged Ontario’s gaming market as one of the best in the world in terms of responsible gambling, but noted that RG is a continuous effort.
This new campaign speaks directly to young adults, giving them the practical tools and guidance they need to make safer, informed choices. Thanks to funding from the RIGF, we can reach them where they are and make a real difference.
Sarah McCarthy
An Earlier Campaign Reached Almost 51 Million People
In addition to launching the new campaign, the RGC published its 2026 RIGF Impact Report, highlighting its progress in educating younger players about the dangers of excessive gambling.
The RGC revealed that an earlier campaign dubbed “The Randoms” had reached 50.8 million people. The commission said that this, coupled with the CAD 100 million in broadcaster investment, attests to the broader industry’s commitment to safer gambling.
The RGC said that it was thankful for the government’s continued support via the Responsible Internet Gambling Fund, which makes such initiatives possible.
Speaking of the fund, the RGC now hopes to leverage it to counterbalance operators’ ads with its own messaging.
In the meantime, Alberta is now preparing to launch its own iGaming market, hoping to replicate Ontario’s success.