Funding for Local Problem Gambling Prevention Programming
December 15, 2022NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, announced that the Ontario government is providing $55,555 in one-time funding to Anishinabek Nation through the Ministry of Health’s Problem Gambling Prevention Program. This program provides assistance to organizations who are helping to address gambling problems within their community.
“With the growth and expansion of the gaming industry and the evolving environment in which gambling can be conducted, it’s important to ensure that people know the risks and receive support if needed,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Ontario developed the Problem Gambling Prevention Program to ensure that people living with gambling problems or who are at risk of developing such problems are well provided for.”
“With internet gambling on the rise, it’s important for us to increase awareness to how addictive this type of gambling is when people can now gamble anytime, from anywhere,” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe.
Provincial funding will go to nine organizations to deliver programming under the Problem Gambling Prevention Program. These organizations have had existing Transfer Payment Agreements in place since 2011. The nine Agencies are the recipients of the funding as the Ministry of Health will build on the existing work that these agencies are delivering.
With the launch of the new internet gaming (iGaming) market on April 4, 2022, participating operators will be required to meet Ontario’s high standards for game integrity, player protections and social responsibility. As operators and players transition into a new, safe, and responsible framework, the government will be providing an additional $500,000 towards problem gambling prevention programing for fiscal year 2022-23, in addition to the $5.91 million it currently provides annually, to help limit the impact of problem gambling. This is part of the government’s commitment to make mental health and addictions a priority.