Know the Score 2 (kts2), an interactive program for university and college students to create awareness of the risks associated with gambling, recently visited some of the region’s post-secondary schools.

“We come to campus to talk about our responsible gambling awareness program, so that’s debunking myths associated with gambling, signs of problem gambling, where to get help locally, as well as how to keep gambling safer,” says Dani Ayee, program coordinator for kts2.

Supporting this type of gambling awareness initiative is important to Atlantic Lottery, says Ashley McGuigan, a corporate social responsibility advisor with Atlantic Lottery and at Red Shores.

“Atlantic Lottery sponsored the Know the Score program to allow us to continue to build upon our strong relationship with the Responsible Gambling Council to bring the program to students at four university and college campuses in Atlantic Canada,” she says.

“Giving young adults the facts on responsible gambling is a focus area for Atlantic Lottery,” says McGuigan. “Research has shown that young people exposed to gambling are two to four times more likely to become problem gamblers as adults. That’s why we recognize the importance of educating both youth and parents on the risk associated with gambling and ensuring those who are 19+ know the information they need to make informed choices.”

How does it work?

kts2 features multi-faceted communications tools designed to engage students in two ways: online using social media, and on-campus with a two-day, staffed interactive display. Using a quiz, post-secondary students try to answer five questions designed to increase their awareness of the program messages. Students check their answers for accuracy with specially created online communications or kts2 representatives staffing the display.

“Students have been interested in what we’re doing- and hearing what we have to say,” Ayee says.  “We’ve had some positive feedback about our presence on campus with students thinking it’s a great initiative to present on campus.”

Know the Score kicked-off in Prince Edward Island at the University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College Charlottetown. The program was then in New Brunswick at the Université de Moncton before heading to Newfoundland and Labrador at the College of the North Atlantic February 11 and 12, 2019. (Please note: NL dates were cancelled due to weather-related campus closures.)

The program reached many hundreds of students across the region to share the facts on gambling, warning signs to watch for, and information on local community resources for support.

The numbers:

The kts2 program was developed in 2001 with input from a number of colleges and universities. Since piloting the program in 2002, kts2 has been delivered 606 times to over 396,937 students on campuses in British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and New York state.

An independent evaluation of kts2 has shown that:

• 89% of students felt they were better informed to make decisions regarding gambling
• 84% of students reported an increased understanding of ways to keep gambling safer
• 91% retained key messages associated with the program, and
• 22% indicated they had used the information they had learned

For more information on Atlantic Lottery’s responsible gambling initiatives, and for information on how to talk to youth about gambling, visit alc.ca