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Play Smart from the Start
Every September is recognized as Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM). The 2025 campaign theme, “Play Smart from the Start,” encourages anyone choosing to gamble to understand the risks, set personal limits, and make educated choices from day one.
The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling joins the RGEM campaign each year to champion responsible gambling habits while raising awareness about the signs of problem gambling and the help available in Florida through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. If gambling is no longer a game, 888-ADMIT-IT!
September is Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM)
September is recognized as Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) here in Florida and across the United States. The American Gaming Association (AGA) leads the RGEM campaign nationwide, promoting gambling literacy and consumer education, elevating employee training with gambling operators, and advancing operators’ understanding of responsible gambling. The Three C’s – Clarity, Caution, and Control – form the foundation of responsible gambling during RGEM. Together, these principles guide smart choices from the very start.
CLARITY
Understand how gambling works, including the odds and risks involved. By fostering this knowledge, individuals are better equipped to make smart, informed decisions, because responsible gaming doesn’t begin at the table or the app – it begins in the mind.
CAUTION
Do you know the steps to responsible gambling? Going in with a Play Smart Plan makes a big difference – get help creating yours for free here. See if you can tell the difference between responsible gambling habits and the signs of problem gambling below!
CONTROL
Only you can keep your gambling responsible, and only you can set your boundaries. Set time and money limits before you start, and stick to them. Take breaks in play when YOU need them. Know when to walk away, even if nobody else does.
Do You Know the Differences Between Responsible Gambling & Problem Gambling?
Take a look at these gambling habits. Do you know which are responsible gambling practices and which are signs of a gambling problem? Hover your mouse or tap on each card to reveal the answer.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling
Problem Gambling
Responsible Gambling
Problem Gambling
Responsible Gambling
Problem Gambling
Problem Gambling
Responsible Gambling
Can’t Walk Away? Your Best Play is to
Call or Text 888-ADMIT-IT.
Thousands of people contact the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine each year for help and information. If you are concerned about your gambling or that of a loved one, know that you are not alone. There are thousands of free resources available to Floridians struggling with the impacts of problem gambling.
As the 24/7, Confidential, and Multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine for the entire state, 888-ADMIT-IT is the gateway to a series of free services which are not available anywhere in Florida, online, or elsewhere. Help seekers receive timely and updated resources as well as up-to-the-minute problem-gambling-related news, research, and information, along with FCCG’s tailored programs and services, available for both gamblers and their loved ones.
Get Connected to Free Supports
There are more ways than ever to get connected with the 24/7 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine! Click or tap the buttons below to get connected with a HelpLine Specialist now.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING EDUCATION MONTH
For Gambling Operators: Employees
Employees serve as the front line for responsible gaming efforts. Use RGEM to reenergize your training efforts and empower employees with the knowledge and tools to recognize the difference between responsible gaming and gambling that is potentially problematic, and resources for help in Florida, if necessary, through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.
INTERVIEWS
Interview your staff for a video, social media or blog post on how they prioritize responsible gaming.
MATERIALS
Use the month to reinvigorate responsible gaming and 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine resources––like brochures, posters––offered to employees.
TRAINING
RGEM serves as a great opportunity to provide refresher trainings to employees at all levels. Make the trainings informative and interactive by adding in quizzes, prizes or recognition.
COMMUNICATIONS
Highlight responsible gaming and RGEM through internal communications channels like newsletters and intranets, break rooms, and back of house digital displays featuring access to help if needed through Florida’s Problem Gambling HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING EDUCATION MONTH
For Gambling Operators: Patrons
Responsible gaming efforts help customers make informed choices about their gambling. RGEM provides the opportunity to promote transparency and gaming literacy by educating customers.
MESSAGING
Feature responsible gaming messaging with the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine on public channels like social media, informational kiosks and websites.
PROMOTIONS
Promote RGEM and the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine on signage and marquees on property and digitally on social media.
MATERIALS
Distribute 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine informational materials throughout the property or through gaming apps.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING EDUCATION MONTH
RGEM Educational Activities
Facility employees and patrons can challenge their knowledge about responsible gambling habits, the signs of problem gambling, and the resources available in Florida for problem gambling help with these free educational activities. Just click or tap anywhere in the game frames to begin each activity. Instructions for play are included at the beginning of each activity (look for the ⓘ icon).
Play Smart Planner
888-ADMIT-IT HelpLibs
Crossword Challenge
The Signs of Problem Gambling Challenge
DIRE STAKES: Industry Edition
ARE YOU A RISKTAKER? Game
RESPONSIBLE GAMING EDUCATION MONTH
For Policymakers & Regulators
Policymakers and regulators play a key role in creating a baseline for responsibility. Get engaged during RGEM by acknowledging the importance of responsible gaming to a successful market.
PROCLAMATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
Sign a proclamation recognizing the month of September as RGEM in Florida, or use your communications channels to highlight responsible gaming efforts in Florida.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING EDUCATION MONTH
For Other Organizations / Industry Partners
Businesses both inside and outside the gaming industry—including media and league partners— have a role to play in educating consumers on responsible gaming.
MEDIA
For media, avoid promoting illegal gambling websites by citing and partnering with the only legal sportsbook in Florida, Hard Rock Bet, that provides consumers with responsible gaming protections.
COLLABORATION
Collaborate with responsible gaming organizations and initiatives to develop educational campaigns and initiatives.
MESSAGING
In addition to featuring responsible gaming messaging on public channels, promote self-assessment tools (available on the FCCG’s website, gamblinghelp.org) and provide awareness of problem gambling support services in Florida available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine to ensure that resources are easily accessible to individuals seeking help.
Download the FCCG’s RGEM Toolkit
The FCCG is making it easier for Florida organizations to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month with a free downloadable toolkit that includes our RGEM brochure, digital banners, and sample social media posts.
Give Your RGEM Campaign a Headstart
Download the FCCG’s RGEM Materials to use in your RGEM campaign, and help raise awareness about the importance of responsible gambling and also problem gambling supports available in Florida through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.
RGEM Brochure
The FCCG’s 2025 RGEM brochure, designed double sided in English and Spanish, lays out ways to “Play Smart from the Start” by providing examples of ways to keep gambling responsible and the warning signs of problem gambling, making it easy for anyone to read and ultimately decide if they need help.
RGEM Digital Banners
RGEM themed digital banners in two sizes for use on your website and for sharing on social media platforms along with the official campaign hashtag, #RGEM2025.
RGEM Social Media Guide
Not sure how to come up with content to promote RGEM? We have you covered with sample social media posts that also raise awareness about the 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine.
DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT![[IMAGE] September is Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM)](https://gamblinghelp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-iStock-1344939844.jpg "September is Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM)")
Worried about your gambling or that of a loved one? Contact the HelpLine today.
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Want to learn more about responsible gambling or problem gambling? Are you a professional that works with this population? Whatever you’re looking for, feel free to reach out using the form below. For immediate or anonymous assistance, please contact the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. For media contact information, visit our media contacts page.
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