The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, in partnership with Encore Boston Harbor and GameSense, has launched "PlayMyWay," a voluntary budgeting tool that allows users to use electronic games on EBH. PlayMyWay is designed to help Wynn Rewards players monitor the amount of money they spend and make decisions to continue or stop playing. PlayMyWay is an innovative budgeting tool currently available to sponsors at Plainage Park Casino in MGM Springfield.
Play My Way is an optional benefit for Win Rewards players, giving them the opportunity to personalize their play by budgeting before they start gambling.
"From day one, the Port of Encore Boston worked with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Massachusetts Gaming Health Commission, and GameSense to develop a responsible gaming strategy," said Jenny Hollarday, president of the Port of Encore Boston. "Play My Way is a natural extension of that effort, giving our guests new technology to take the lead in managing their game decisions."
PlayMyWay is intended to help players make gambling decisions, monitor and understand players' play behavior in real time, and support players' decisions. The PlayMyWay program is the latest tool added to MGC's extensive and unique responsible gaming framework, known as GameSense.
"Giving players all the necessary information and resources available will help them make informed decisions about their gambling, including when to stop and how much money to spend," said Mark Vander Linden, MGC's head of research and games. "PlayMyWay supports informed player selection by giving people the opportunity to budget before they start and strengthening that decision through gambling sessions. We are pleased that this tool is now available at each Massachusetts casino."
EBH's sponsors can join PlayMyWay by inserting their Wynn Rewards card into a slot machine, electronic game, or the PlayMyWay kiosk in the GameSense Info Center. Cardholders are prompted to voluntarily select daily, weekly, and/or monthly budgets to track their spending in the EBH. Upon completion of registration, the sponsor will be notified automatically when they reach the budget they have set. If the player continues to play, they will be notified at 25% intervals. The program is voluntary and players can unsubscribe or budget at any time.
"Responsible gaming is always at the forefront of everythi
ng the Massachusetts Gaming Board does, and PlayMyWay is another tool to help sponsors keep gambling safe and fun," said Cathy Judd-Stein, MGC's president. "Encore Boston Harbor accepted the program as a tool to help their customers. PlayMyWay's launch at the Port of Angkor Boston marks the completion of MGC's goal of providing a uniform platform for slot machine players to budget and track their play at Massachusetts casinos."
Play My Way was originally released as a pilot program at Plainage Park Casino in 2016, and recently launched at MGM Springfield in April 2022. PlayMyWay, which is now a fixture on both properties, currently has nearly 32,000 registered sponsors between the two properties. EBH's PlayMyWay is a custom application developed by IGT. Integrated play management software utilizes a simple, easy-to-understand interface that supports players, including graphics.
Customers who want to learn more about the program are encouraged to visit the GameSense Info Center within the EBH to discuss the program with the GameSense Advisor.
"For many people, gambling can be a form of fun entertainment, but like other fun activities, it's easier to spend more time than originally intended, and as a result, it exceeds your entertainment budget," said Marlene Warner, executive director of the Massachusetts Gambling Health Board. "PlayMyWay allows players to make informed, healthy choices by voluntarily making advance commitments to their spending budgets and adding transparency to help them spend in real time."