NEWS RELEASE
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING COUNCIL
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People who experience mixed feelings about gambling, such as guilt, anxiety or frustration, are encouraged to know the signs and recognize they are important warning signals.
According to the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), these feelings are there for a reason. Ignoring them can only make a situation worse – impacting not just the person but also family and friends. That’s why it is important to pay attention to how gambling makes you feel – before it becomes a problem.
Our research shows that approximately 3.4% of Ontarians have a moderate to severe gambling problem. In the County of Simcoe, and Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts, this would equate to approximately 14,500 adults.
RGC research also shows that *approximately one in ten Ontarians report being negatively affected by someone else’s gambling. This means that another 42,600 people in the County of Simcoe, and Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts are estimated to be negatively impacted.
“Many people think it’s just a matter of time until they’ll hit the jackpot,” says Shelley White, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “The truth is that some people gamble to the point that they damage their finances, relationships and health. Problem gambling can be financially and emotionally devastating for the individual involved and the most important people in their lives.”
During Problem Gambling Prevention Week, RGC is urging people to know the signs and listen carefully to how they feel about their gambling. The educational campaign includes tips on how people can take direct action to protect themselves and get free, confidential help.
Warning signs include:
- Feeling guilty, anxious, frustrated or worried about your gambling
- Thinking or talking more than usual about gambling
- Gambling more to win back losses
- Experiencing extreme highs from gambling wins and extreme lows from gambling losses
- Getting irritated more easily or having less patience when dealing with normal, everyday activities
The good news is that paying attention to how you feel about your gambling is the first step to early detection of a potential gambling problem.
Free and confidential resources are available. Many agencies also provide help for family members and friends of the gambler.
Call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or, locally, you can call the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Simcoe County Branch at 705-726-5033.
This week, there are awareness events that will take place at Casino Rama. These include interactive games and giveaways. These will occur daily from 5 to 9 p.m. at the casino Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A final session will go Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.`
About the RGC
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention. RGC works to reduce gambling risks by creating and delivering innovative awareness and information programs.
It also promotes the adoption of improved play safeguards through best practices research, standards development and the RG Check accreditation program. RCG is committed to bringing together all perspectives in the reduction of gambling problems, including those of people with firsthand experience with gambling problems, gaming providers, regulators, policy makers and treatment professionals.
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