Technology

Gambling: Help and Referral turns 30

Published

2 years ago

August 13, 2024

Service records a 21% increase in requests for help

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 13, 2024 /CNW/ – Gambling: Help and Referral has just completed its 2023–2024 annual report and recorded a 21% increase in requests for help over the previous year; 6,848 people contacted the service to obtain a listening ear, support, information and referrals to address excessive gaming, whether for video games, internet addiction or gambling. Gambling: Help and Referral, which also provides support to those close to gamblers and gamers, is launching a fundraising campaign with a $100,000 target, its first in 30 years.

Of this 21% increase in requests for help, the majority came from the gamblers themselves (+35%). The proportion of women in these statistics is also up sharply (+17%). Among the most frequently mentioned addictions are online gambling—on the rise since the pandemic—slot machines, internet addiction (online video games, excessive use of video platforms such as YouTube or social media) and lotteries. People close to gamblers and gamers account for almost 20% of requests for help.

Gambling addiction is still little known and poorly understood, so it’s important to note that in over a third of cases (36%), counsellors respond to crisis or distress calls. Service users are mainly looking for resources such as counseling or telecounseling, support groups or addiction rehabilitation centres. Another noteworthy fact is that the average length of a call has doubled between 2020 and 2024, a striking and concrete consequence of a significant increase in crisis calls and the need for active listening. “I’m very proud of Gambling: Help and Referral’s evolution and of our team’s constant motivation to remain relevant, up-to-date and accessible to as many people as possible. I encourage anyone to feel free to contact us.” Nancy Rocha, Director of the Specialized Addiction Helplines and the TeleCounseling Programme for Excessive Gamblers.

At a time when cyberaddiction and healthy screen management are occupying an ever-increasing place in the media, Gambling: Help and Referral reminds us that it is a provincial resource that is remotely accessible 24/7, for anyone who is concerned about their gambling habits or screen time and who is experiencing their negative effects, such as major debts or even bankruptcy, mood disorders, mental health issues, domestic or family conflicts and isolation. It is also a useful service for friends, spouses or relatives who often feel powerless in the face of a loved one’s addiction. Accessible from anywhere in Quebec, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, counsellors can be reached by phone at 1-800-461-0140 or by chat at gamblinghelp.quebec. The service is confidential, free and bilingual.

The service would like to be able to expand the team, but also give counsellors the time and budget they need to pursue training, particularly in dealing with people in crisis, but also in the different game-industry tactics, which are evolving rapidly. There is increasing talk of video game hybridization: adding aspects of gambling to video games, including in-game purchases in games played by children, or games that have no practical ending to keep the player online as long as possible, sometimes for days on end.

To keep the service accessible and waiting times below a minute in order to avoid discouraging those seeking help, Gambling: Help and Referral is launching its first fundraising campaign, which will run until the end of March 2025, with a $100,000 target. Thanks to a benefit event held on May 29, 2024, and generous donors such as Jean Fortin, Unisson Formations, Dunton Rainville and many other supporters, nearly $40,000 has already been raised—more than a third of the target!

“The Gambling: Help and Referral team is working miracles with limited resources to deal with this increase in requests for help. Although we are fortunate to be able to count on recurrent funding from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, for which we are very grateful, the fact that we need more resources can’t be ignored. Our team is motivated to help even more people affected by gambling addiction.” Heather Johnston, Executive Director, Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal.

To support Gambling: Help and Referral, go to gamblinghelp.quebec and click on Donate.

About Gambling: Help and Referral

Gambling: Help and Referral is a provincial service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and chat. It offers listening, support, information and referrals for people concerned about their gambling habits or addicted to gambling, video games and the Internet. Founded in 1993, the service has been managed by the Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal for 30 years and, to date, has been fully funded by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. For further information: gamblinghelp.quebec

SOURCE Gambling: Help and Referral

Technology

TCL CSOT to Explore the Future of Displays in the AI Era at DTC 2026

Published

37 minutes ago

November 8, 2026

WUHAN, China, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The TCL CSOT Global Display Tech-Ecosystem Conference 2026 (DTC 2026) will take place in Wuhan, China, on November 13. Under the theme “TRUE VISION, AI IN MOTION,” this year’s conference will present TCL CSOT’s latest advances in Inkjet Printing OLED (IJP OLED), APEX display technologies, AI applications, and next-generation display solutions.

Displaying the Future in the AI Era
As AI accelerates change across digital content and intelligent devices, the ability to deliver rich colors and fine details while meeting the needs of different usage scenarios is becoming essential for translating display technology into experiences users can see and feel.

At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will examine how AI is reshaping content creation, device form factors, and human-machine interaction, offering a closer look at how these shifts are expanding the role of displays in future intelligent experiences.

IJP OLED Moves toward Large-Scale Commercialization
Following more than a decade of research and development, TCL CSOT’s IJP OLED technology is advancing from technical validation toward large-scale production, marking a critical stage in its commercialization. Its expanding applications from medical displays into IT and consumer products demonstrate the growing potential of IJP OLED across monitors and future intelligent devices, attracting increasing attention throughout the display value chain.

At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will share further updates on its IJP OLED development and continued exploration of the technology. As a major highlight of the conference, these advances will offer a closer look at the potential path for the development of next-generation display technologies.

APEX Platform Innovations Bring the Future of Display to Life
At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will bring together a broad lineup of APEX platform innovations, highlighting advances in display experience, visual health, sustainability, and form-factor innovation. By connecting technology development with real-world applications, the showcase will translate the value of a “great display” into tangible experiences. From picture quality and viewing comfort to new product forms and use cases, the exhibits will offer industry partners and guests a clearer view of the diverse possibilities shaping the future of displays.

Industry Leaders to Exchange Perspectives on the Future of Displays
Beyond its technology and product showcases, DTC 2026 will bring together industry leaders and cross-sector thinkers to explore the future of displays. Jun Zhao, Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT; Xiaolin Yan, CTO of TCL Technology and TCL CSOT; and science writer and Wenjin Book Award Winner Weigang Wan are expected to join the conference.

Their discussions will examine how AI is reshaping display standards, human-machine interaction, product development, and user experience. By bringing together perspectives from technology, content, and applications, DTC 2026 aims to present an integrated view of the forces shaping the future of displays and foster closer collaboration across the display ecosystem. More highlights from DTC 2026 will be announced soon.

SOURCE TCL CSOT

Technology

Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in the UK

Published

3 hours ago

November 8, 2026

LONDON, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces four of many new Club Offers for Club Members in the UK.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

£420PP—DELUXE TUSCANY BREAK WITH DINNER & COOKING CLASS
Hotel Villa Il Patriarca sits in extensive grounds, surrounded by mature pine and cypress trees. This offer includes three nights in a Junior Suite, a 6-course dining experience at Michelin-listed I Salotti, a cooking class with the chef, and wine tasting. We have negotiated savings of £373 per couple in spring and summer.
  £200PP—2 NIGHTS AT NEW CORNWALL HOTEL
Travelzoo Club Members are invited to be the first guests at this new hotel when it opens in January. Elysium St Mawes in the Cornish village of St Mawes has been completely redesigned. We have negotiated savings of 50% on regular rates. Includes two nights, champagne, cream tea, and a session in the thermal spa.
  £199PP—FRENCH RIVIERA WITH FLIGHTS
Winter in Cannes means fewer crowds, golden light, and mild weather. This special rate is just for us Club Members—three nights at the Juliana Hotel Cannes in a balcony room, a stone’s throw from the famous Boulevard de la Croisette. Includes return flights.
  £99PP—TOP WEST END SHOW WITH DINNER
“Miss Saigon” returns to the West End for the first time since 2016. Tickets usually cost £99 per person but, with this offer, we also get a 2-course meal and drink at Gaucho Piccadilly before the show.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travellers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Media Contact:
Cat Jordan – London
+44 77 7678 1525
cjordan@travelzoo.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/club-offers-for-travel-enthusiasts-in-the-uk-302932597.html

SOURCE Travelzoo

Technology

Dynamic Pricing Raises New Questions for Forwarders Evaluating Automated Freight Quoting

Published

3 hours ago

November 8, 2026

As freight forwarders adopt AI freight quoting software, Aircon founder Chris Condon says buyers should measure more than response speed. He urges teams evaluating freight quote automation software to count total operator time, including review and correction, and to check how quotes hold up when shipment details change.

LEWISVILLE, Texas, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As more freight forwarders adopt AI freight quoting software to keep pace with shifting rates, a practical question is emerging: how much of the time saved is later spent checking and fixing what the software produces? Chris Condon, founder and CEO of Aircon, says buyers evaluating freight quote automation software should look at dynamic pricing alongside the work required to turn a supplier’s rate into a customer commitment. His comments follow G2’s 2026 AI Agents Report, updated October 14, which examines the operating costs of reviewing and correcting automated work.

“A higher rate can still be the right choice if it supports the required service,” Condon said. “What matters is knowing what the price includes, which conditions apply and what still has to be confirmed before the customer relies on the answer.”

“Think about a hotel when a major concert comes to town,” Condon said. “Demand goes up, there are only so many rooms, and prices can rise. Freight responds to supply and demand too. The forwarder’s job is to work out whether the available price and service meet the customer’s need.”

Freight pricing reflects more than demand. Costs, contract terms, and shipment requirements all shape the final number. A changing rate tells the forwarder something about one particular option… building a customer offer still requires checking service conditions, outstanding confirmations, and the forwarder’s own commercial rules.

That verification step is where automated freight quoting is put to the test. Condon refers to it as decision assurance: organizing the inputs and evidence behind a proposed commitment, flagging open questions, and keeping a record of the decision, while the forwarder retains judgment and the customer relationship.

G2’s report draws on a July survey of 1,019 business technology decisionmakers across industries. Forty-five percent of respondents said oversight and rework consume more than a quarter of their expected productivity gains. The findings are self-reported and cover enterprise AI adoption broadly; the report is not specific to freight.

For teams comparing freight quoting software for forwarders, Condon suggests looking beyond response speed. He recommends measuring total operator time, including review and correction, and asking how any freight quote management software handles changes to shipment details…and whether a second operator can understand the conditions behind an earlier quote.

“The practical standard is to give the team time back and keep the judgment behind the customer commitment clear,” Condon said.

About Aircon:

Aircon provides decision-assurance software for freight forwarders, supporting the review that takes place before a quote becomes a customer commitment. It preserves inputs, evidence, and decision state within the forwarder’s existing workflow, while the forwarder retains the customer relationship and commercial judgment.

Media Contact

Chris Condon, Aircon, 1 (855) 750-4560, ccondon@aircon.ai, https://www.aircon.ai

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/dynamic-pricing-raises-new-questions-for-forwarders-evaluating-automated-freight-quoting-302931757.html

SOURCE Aircon