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NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING PROGRAMME (NRGP)

Overview

For the overwhelming majority of people, gambling is a recreational entertainment. However, for a small portion of people (estimated internationally at 5% of regular gamblers), excessive gambling may become a problem, and in some, may result in damaging compulsive addictive behavior. The National Responsible Gambling Programme ("the NRGP") provides help to these people, so that they can regain control of their lives.

The NRGP is offers its service free of charge to persons who have gambling problems or to those persons who are affected by problem gambling, such as family members.

Mykonos Casino supports responsible gambling and further recognizes the need for the protection of minors from gambling. Mykonos Casino, amongst other gambling establishments, contributes significantly towards the funding of the NRGP. This has made it possible for free services to be made available to persons who have gambling problems or to those who are affected by problem gambling.

An exclusion programme has been implemented at Mykonos Casino to assist persons who may have gambling problems. The programme supplements the NRGP and it further promotes the values, objectives and purpose of the NRGP.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with a gambling problem, please contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme Tollfree Helpline 0800 008 006.

How do I know if I or someone I know has a gambling problem?

  • There are definite warning signs to look out for that could indicate problem gambling.
  • CLICK HERE to take a self-check quiz or to view the criteria considered in making such a determination.

If the majority of your answers is "Yes" then it may indicate that you have a possible gambling problem and it is advisable that you contact the counselors at the National Responsible Gambling Programme on the Tollfree Helpline 0800 008 006.

How do I apply for exclusion on Mykonos Casino responsible gaming programme?

  • Mykonos Casino responsible gambling programme promotes indirectly the objectives and purpose of the NRGP.
  • The above responsible gambling programme is available to the public at the casino on a 24-hr basis. Scheduled appointments are not necessary.
  • Exclusion documentation is available upon request from the casino security department. Trained personnel will assist with the processes necessary to complete the exclusion documentation.
  • Any person who suspects that they may have a gambling problem can apply for self exclusion.
  • Detailed brochures relating to problem gambling and the NRGP are available at the Cash Desks and Promotional Desks in the casino.
  • The minimum period for a self exclusion is 12 months.

What happens when a person is excluded from the casino under Mykonos Casino responsible gaming programme?

  • The casino will take reasonable measures to identify the excluded person with the aim of preventing him/her from accessing the gambling areas or from participating in gambling. The onus, however, is still on the excluded person to refrain from gambling or from accessing the gambling areas.
  • The excluded person is removed from casino’s marketing mailing list.
  • The excluded person’s casino loyalty club card is terminated.
  • A warning flag is activated on the excluded person’s Cash Desk profile.
  • If the excluded person enters the gambling area or participates in gambling whilst he or she is under exclusion, the casino may arrest and charge him/her criminally for trespassing.
  • The excluded person cannot claim for any losses and or damages from the casino. He or she is also not entitled to any winnings. Any winnings derived from gambling whilst the person is under exclusion is forfeited and donated to a charity.
  • Excluded persons may still, however, enjoy the non-gaming areas such as the Complex, restaurants, movie theatres, etc.
  • The excluded person’s details will be furnished to the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board.

What happens if the excluded person wants to take up gambling again within the time period of the exclusion?

  • The excluded person must attend sessions with a psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor who is appointed by the National Responsible Gambling Programme.
  • The psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor may issue the excluded person with a certificate which confirms that he or she is competent to return to gambling again.
  • The excluded person must then apply to the casino for an upliftment of the exclusion order in writing, provided that at least a period of six months of the exclusion has passed. The excluded person must also produce the above certificate as proof of attending the counseling sessions.
  • The upliftment is not automatically done upon application- the casino will consider the application and the merits thereof before deciding.
  • If the casino is satisfied that the excluded person is competent to return to gambling activities at the casino, the exclusion is uplifted.
  • If the exclusion period has passed (the period that the person requested to be excluded), the person has to apply in writing in order to be allowed to participate in gambling activities at the casino. The person must also supply the casino with a letter from his/her psychologist/psychiatrist which needs to state that he/she may be allowed to participate in gambling activities.

NRGP Programme Information
(For more information visit the National Responsible Gambling Website at www.responsiblegambling.co.za)

Treatment and counselling is structured around a dedicated problem gambling counselling line and a nationally distributed team of skilled and experienced treatment professionals, who are all active in clinical practice.

The existing NRGP problem gambling counselling line and treatment network is a well-established, readily accessible gambling resource which has acquired much experience in providing a 24/7 service. In its current form, it is able to deliver a cost efffective, needs-driven and user-friendly, multilingual service nationally.

Treatment and counselling services are available free of charge in more than 50 cities and towns in southern Africa, including Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, to anyone requiring help with gambling problems, not just to gamblers at casinos.

There are also four Inpatient treatment centres - in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

How exactly does the Integrated Care Programme ("the ICP”) - the heart of the NRGP’s process - function? Everyone is familiar with the general referral-and-treatment process, but the devil lies in the details, because the ICP deals with the most difficult and unpredictable piece of "software” in the world - the human being.

The ICP is set in motion when a problem gambler takes the first and most difficult step of all, namely admitting that he or she has a problem, and then goes on to something almost as difficult: calling the problem gambling counselling line and asking for support.
Once he (or she) has taken that second step the ICP starts rolling. The client is referred to a treatment professional, and, if sincerely desiring help, undergoes a course of treatment.

When the treatment has been completed the client is referred back to the problem gambling counselling line. The counsellors (where possible the counsellor who made the original referral) supports the client by making calls one month, three months, six months and eighteen months after completion of treatment, with more frequent calls if the client requests them.

The primary aims of the calls are to provide support for clients’ resolve to change his ways, and also to identify clients who have relapsed or are going through a difficult period and are in danger of relapsing.

Depending on the need, the counsellor handling the case will support the client by telephone, urge him or her to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings or request further ICP treatment.

Treatment programme
If you are identified as being a problem gambler and would like further treatment with the problem, the problem gambling counselling line counsellor will refer you to your nearest National Responsible Gambling Programme trained gambling treatment medical professional, who will enrol you in the treatment programme. The cost of such treatment will be borne by the National Responsible Gambling Programme.

Inpatient Facilities
In certain cases, patients may be referred to inpatient facilities at hospitals/clinics in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein or Johannesburg. The National Responsible Gambling Programme may be prepared to assist with the cost of such treatment.
To send a confidential e-mail to the National Responsible Gambling Programme:counsellor@responsiblegambling.co.za

Family counselling service
The NRGP offers a free family counselling service - one to three sessions with a psychologist or social worker - for family members or significant other people affected by problem gambling