Responsible Gambling
Gambling in Canada is huge. In fact, recent reports show that about 64.5% of Canadians, which equates to around 18.9 million people, gamble on an annual basis. While most tend to participate in gambling in such a way that it doesn’t become harmful, this cannot be said for everyone. Without knowing how to be responsible while gambling, there’s a risk of developing gambling-related problems.
This page explores the responsible gambling resources available to Canadians, while also taking a closer look at the most common ways to recognise these problems.
The Current State of Gambling in Canada
It’s a good idea to take a closer look at how many people gamble and to also determine the problem with gambling addiction in the country. This can shed some light on the current situation.
Among Canadians over the age of 15, at least 18.9 million have participated in gambling activities. Men are more likely to gamble than women in Canada, and non-immigrants have the highest percentage of participation.
Statistics Canada reports that more than 300,000 gamblers in Canada have a moderate-to-severe risk of developing gambling-related problems. The risk is higher among lower-income households, with a 2.7% risk, whereas higher-income households have a 1.1% prevalence of this risk.
Canadian Responsible Gambling Resources
There are several resources that gamblers can turn to if they have concerns about addiction to gambling behaviors in Canada. The country has several associations that offer support for gambling addiction. Many of these establishments can also offer people with a loved one experiencing trouble controlling their gambling activities resources and assistance.
- org: This association was launched in Ontario and focuses on spreading awareness related to the dangers of uncontrolled and irresponsible gambling. The organisation believes that gambling is constantly evolving, and this also means the risks are changing and advancing all the time. Responsible Gambling offers research services and an extensive range of resources people can use to help them be more responsible when gambling online or at in-person establishments.
- iGaming Ontario: Another great resource center is iGaming Ontario, an association that focuses on the online gaming market. They also provide a range of resources that help Canadians understand how they can be more responsible when gambling at online casinos and sportsbooks.
- Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario: The official representative of the Responsible Gambling Council in Canada. This particular association focuses on addiction to substances and gambling activities. They have a range of resources, including helplines that are available for both those affected and their loved ones.
Equipping Yourself With Responsible Gambling Practices
Being responsible while gambling can help to effectively reduce the risk of addiction and problematic behavior. It can save a lot of money in the long run and prevent the serious complications that can occur when this is not picked up.
- Setting a budget: The very first thing a person needs to do when they want to be more responsible with their gambling sessions is to set a budget. Do this even before you decide where to gamble. Set a strict budget and this is the only money you get to deposit and play with for a set period of time. This should never be more than you can actually afford to lose right now. Gambling is a high-risk activity, which means there’s always a chance of losing your money.
- Research: When it comes to responsible gambling, doing research before you start playing is also important. Choose a trustworthy casino that offers features like self-exclusion and responsible gambling resources. The site should be trusted. Take a look at the bonus terms as wagering requirements can also make it tempting to continue depositing more money so that you can reach the withdrawal criteria.
Another important factor when you want to implement responsible gambling practices is to know how to recognise the signs of problematic gambling behavior. This means being able to know when things are starting to get out of control.
Common signs that you should look out for, whether in yourself or a loved one, include:
- Financial problems: You might be able to make ends meet generally, but as gambling becomes more than an enjoyable activity, you could start to notice that you run into financial problems. You lose significant amounts at online gambling sites, making it difficult to pay your bills and put food on the table.
- The need for more: As with any kind of addiction, you start to build up a tolerance to gambling over time. You expect to have fun and experience a thrill, but after a couple of sessions, you need more to really “feel it”. This is a common sign that you are developing an addictive behavior toward gambling.
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit: Perhaps you notice that your gambling habits are getting a bit out of control. You try to quit or at least cut back, but this always ends in failure.