What's New

In October 2016, SMART Programs stopped issuing plastic certification cards as proof of certification. Plastic cards have been replaced with certification that has a QR code, which can be printed or saved to a mobile device/phone. For a limited time, certified liquor and gaming industry workers had the ability to order plastic certification cards.

Effective January 2018, plastic certification card orders are no longer issued.

Your certification card and congratulatory letter can be downloaded and printed or saved to a mobile device or phone as soon as the certification requirements have been completed. Replacement cards can be printed or saved from your SMART Programs account.

Plastic cards will continue to be accepted as proof of certification until the expiry date shown on the card.

Licensee staff must provide proof of certification at the request of an AGLC Inspector. Proof of certification includes:

• paper printed versions that have a QR code
• the Personal Information page printed from the worker's SMART Programs account
• a plastic card (that does not have a QR code)
• clear images of any of the above (i.e., image, photograph or screen shot) saved on the staff member's mobile device/phone.

AGLC's liquor and gaming policies are online at aglc.ca.

Elimination of Plastic SMART Certification Cards

Effective October 2016, the SMART Programs office will no longer issue plastic certification cards as proof of certification. Plastic cards will be replaced with certification that has a QR code, which can be printed or saved to a mobile device/phone.

The certification card and congratulatory letter can be downloaded and printed or saved to a mobile device as soon as workers complete the certification requirements. Users will be able to print replacement cards from their SMART Programs account, as needed, or save the certification card image to their mobile device/phone.

Plastic cards will continue to be accepted as proof of certification until the expiry date shown on the card.

Workers who do not have a mobile device or access to a printer can contact the SMART Programs office (1-877-436-6336) to have a paper card mailed to them at no charge.

Licensee staff must provide proof of certification at the request of an AGLC Inspector. Proof of certification includes:

• paper printed versions that have a QR code
• the Personal Information page printed from the staff member's SMART account
• a plastic card (that does not have a QR code)
• clear images of any of the above (i.e., image, photograph or screen shot) saved on the staff member's mobile device/phone.

The updated policy is online at aglc.ca.

This bulletin is to advise all VLT Retailers of IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS to the Liquor Licensee Handbook.

The following Liquor Licensee Handbook policies are effective as of April 8, 2016:

Section 10.13 Reel Facts VLT Staff Training (Previously named Responsible Gambling Program)

• Section 10.13 has been renamed and content reorganized into a more cohesive manner that will assist VLT Retailers to better understand Reel Facts VLT Staff Training requirements.
• Subsection 10.13.11 is a NEW requirement for VLT Retailers. Effective immediately, VLT Retailers are required to keep a log of employees who are Reel Facts certified, including the employees' names, certificate registration numbers and expiry dates. This log is subject to review by the AGLC.

Section 10.15 Signage, Advertising and Promotions

• Subsection 10.15.1 has been updated to reflect the following amendments to signage that VLT Retailers must post in the licensed facility.
  • "Your games. Your choice." poster combines the previous "VLT Rules of Play" and "Gaming Irregularities" posters into a single poster.
  • "If you gamble, use your GameSense" poster replaces any previous versions of the responsible gambling posters.

Copies of the new posters are available from the AGLC.

Please familiarize yourself with the revised policies, update your Liquor Licensee Handbook with the amended policies as required and ensure all affected staff are notified of the new requirements.

The amended Liquor Licensee Handbook may be accessed on the AGLC website at aglc.ca.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Key Account Coordinator or call the AGLC Hotline at 1-800-561-4415.

The AGLC has expanded the definition of acceptable identification. The policy now specifies the requirements needed on the identification rather than listing the acceptable forms of identification. Primary identification must be government issued and clearly show a name, photo, signature, date of birth and a unique identifier number. It also must be an original (not a copy) and not be expired.

The types of identification previously listed as acceptable forms of primary identification (e.g. driver's licences, passports) remain acceptable forms of primary identification as long as they are not expired.

Secondary identification must be government issued and clearly show a name, date of birth, and a unique identifier number. Baptismal certificates and similar documents that do not contain a unique identifier number and/or are not issued by the government are no longer acceptable as secondary identification.

The effective date of the amended policy is October 1, 2015. Please see the approved policy for details. Please ensure all affected staff are notified of the new requirements.

The Liquor Licensee Handbook, Retail Liquor Store Handbook and General Merchandise Liquor Store Handbook will be updated on the AGLC web site at aglc.ca to reflect these new policies.

Policy handbooks will no longer be available from the AGLC in print form. The AGLC website must be referenced for current policy information.

Any questions regarding this change may be directed to contact.policy@aglc.ca.