Responsible Gambling Council

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Adults have many opportunities to gamble.

You can play casino games, go to the track, buy lottery tickets, bet on sports events, try your luck at bingo, or play some other game of chance. While all of these types of gambling can be fun and entertaining, they all have an element of risk. People who gamble in a low-risk way see gambling as a form of entertainment. For them, a gambling loss is the cost of entertainment—just like the cost of a restaurant bill or a theatre ticket.

While most gambling doesn’t hurt anyone, some people develop gambling problems. 2.2 % of Ontario adults 60+ have a moderate to severe gambling problem. For these people, gambling losses can have a substantial impact on their finances and their lives. When you are older and, perhaps, on a fixed income, there’s no way to re-coup what you’ve lost.

When you retire, things change: you have more free time and you probably have a new budget. During any life transition, it’s easy to lose your bearings and to feel out of touch.

Research tells us that gambling at times like these can raise the risk of getting into trouble. The risks are even greater if you have gambled quite a bit in the past.

That is why the Responsible Gambling Council has developed the ‘knowtherisks’ social marketing campaign. We encourage you to visit the other sections of this website to learn more about risky beliefs, risky behaviours, ways to avoid the risks and ways to limit financial risk. There are also sections on talking about your concerns and finding help.

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

People often hold risky beliefs or myths about gambling that can lead to a gambling problem.

Risky Belief:

If I keep gambling, my luck will change and I'll win back the money I've lost.

The Reality:

Each time you place a bet, the outcome is completely independent of the previous one. This means that the odds are no more in your favour on the tenth bet than they were on the first bet. Over time, the more you risk, the more you’ll lose.

Risky Belief:

I almost won; I must be due for a win.

The Reality:

"Almost" winning in no way means that a real win is around the corner. Future gambling outcomes are in no way influenced by previous outcomes.

Risky Belief:

If I play more than one slot machine or in more than one poker game at a time, I'll increase my chances of winning.

The Reality:

Sure, you may win more often by playing two slot machines or poker games at a time, but make no mistake about it: You’ll also spend—and ultimately lose—more doing so. Remember, over time, the more you gamble, the more you’ll lose.

Risky Belief:

I have a feeling that today is my lucky day. I just know I’m going to win.

The Reality:

Hoping, wishing or even needing to win money has absolutely no influence on the outcome of a game of chance.

Risky Belief:

I have a special strategy that helps me win. I pick certain numbers for the lottery and press the stop button on a slot machine at exactly the right time.

The Reality:

The outcome of most games of chance, particularly lotteries and slot machines, is completely random: You cannot influence it, regardless of what you do. For lotteries, this means that betting the same numbers every week won't help you win any more than betting different numbers will.

The odds of winning Lotto 6/49, for example, are 1 in 14 million each and every time you play: It doesn’t matter how many people have purchased tickets or what numbers you play—the odds are the same, regardless.

Whether or not you win playing slot machines is based solely on the randomly drawn numbers generated by the machine’s computer—numbers which determine the game’s outcome even before the reels stop. Pressing the stop button may speed up when you find out what the game’s outcome is, but it won’t influence what that outcome is in any way.

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

SIGNS OF A PROBLEM
SOMEONE YOU KNOW

WHAT IS PROBLEM GAMBLING?

Problem gambling is excessive gambling that negatively affects key areas of a person’s life: physical or mental health, school or work performance, finances and relationships.

There are a number of risky behaviours that may indicate a gambling problem.
Some of these include:

Constantly thinking or talking about gambling
Spending more time or money on gambling than you can afford
Finding it difficult to control, stop, or cut down gambling, or feeling irritable when trying to do so
Feeling a sense of emptiness or loss when not gambling
Gambling more in order to win back losses or get out of financial trouble
Thinking that your gambling will get under control as soon you have a ‘big win’
Borrowing money, selling things, committing (or considering committing) criminal acts in order to get money for gambling
Having increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial troubles because of your gambling
Often gambling until all of your money is gone
Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or for longer periods of time in order to get the same feeling of excitement
Experiencing extreme highs from gambling wins and extreme lows from gambling losses

Gambling to escape personal problems or to relieve feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, or loneliness
Getting irritated more easily or having less patience when dealing with normal, everyday activities
Feeling guilty about gambling or what happens while gambling
Getting criticized by others for your gambling
Having arguments with friends or family about money and gambling
Refusing to discuss gambling with others or lying to cover it up
Hiding bills, past due notices, winnings, or losses from your partner or family member
Gambling instead of attending family or other social functions
Neglecting family or household responsibilities because of gambling
Neglecting work because of gambling
Neglecting personal needs (e.g., for food, sleep, hygiene) because of gambling
Consistently or always planning holidays where gambling is available

RISKY BEHAVIOURS THAT YOU MAY SEE IN OTHERS:

There are a number of risky behaviours that can indicate that someone you know may have a gambling problem. Some of these signs include:

Constantly talking about gambling
Spending more time or money on gambling than the individual can afford
Finding it difficult to control, stop, or cut down gambling, or feeling irritable when trying to do so
Gambling more in order to win back losses or get out of financial trouble
Thinking that gambling will get under control as soon as there’s a ‘big win’
Borrowing money, selling things, committing (or considering committing) criminal acts in order to get money for gambling
Having unexplained money or new possessions
Having increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial troubles because of gambling
Often gambling until all of their money is gone
Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or for longer periods of time in order to get the same feeling of excitement
Experiencing extreme highs from gambling wins and extreme lows from gambling losses
Gambling to escape personal problems or to relieve feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, or loneliness

Getting irritated more easily or having less patience when dealing with normal, everyday activities
Feeling guilty about gambling or what happens while gambling
Getting criticized by others for their gambling
Having arguments with friends or family about money and gambling
Refusing to discuss gambling with others or lying to cover it up
Hiding bills, past due notices, winnings, or losses from others
Gambling instead of attending family or other social functions
Neglecting family or household responsibilities because of gambling
Neglecting work because of gambling
Neglecting personal needs (e.g., for food, sleep, hygiene) because of gambling
Consistently or always planning holidays where gambling is available
Having money or valuables that mysteriously disappear

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

There are a number of ways to avoid the risks of developing a gambling problem:

Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money

The bottom line is that gambling establishments, like land-based casinos and internet casinos, are set up to take in more money than they pay out. This means over time, you will lose more money than you win.

Always gamble with money that you can afford to lose

Gamble with money that you set aside for fun, like going to the movies or going out for drinks. Never use money that you need for important things like rent, bills, groceries, etc.

Set a money limit

Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you play. When you have lost that amount of money, quit. If you win – enjoy, but remember it won’t happen most of the time.

Set a time limit

Decide how much time you can afford to spend gambling. When you reach that time limit, stop gambling.

Don't chase losses

If you lose money, don't try to get it back by going over your limit. This usually leads to even bigger losses.

Don’t gamble when you are depressed or upset

It is hard to make good decisions about gambling when you are feeling down.

Balance gambling with other activities

It’s important to enjoy other activities so that gambling doesn’t become too big a part of your life.

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

TALKING WITH PEOPLE
COMMON CONCERNS

Talking with People About Your Concerns

If you are concerned about someone else’s problem with gambling, it is only natural to want to help. But helping can be very tricky. They can deny that they are having a problem or even refuse to talk about it.

That’s why you need to be prepared. You may want to ask a mutual friend or another family member to help. The most important thing you need to remember is that you cannot stop someone from gambling. They need to want help before they’ll accept it.

If you think someone you care about has a gambling problem, you should speak with someone knowledgeable about it. Don’t try to help until you’ve spoken with someone you can trust - like a counsellor, doctor or parent. It’s important to know the facts about what this person is going through. You don’t need to reveal who the person is, but you do need to talk about the issue and generate a plan of action.

Here are some things you need to
consider while deciding how
to approach
someone with
a gambling
problem.

Get Informed

Gather information about how gambling problems develop and about ways that you may be able to help. You need to know where they can turn for help if they want it. You could even offer to go with them. This may make getting help easier and will show you really care.

Don’t Hide the Problem

People who make excuses for a gambler or lend them money aren’t helping. They are really allowing the problem to continue by not addressing it. While giving in to the lies and demands of a person with a gambling problem may seem easier, taking a firm stand will give a person with a gambling problem no choice but to face their issues. Leave the responsibility and consequences of the gambling to them.

Choose the Right Moment to Talk

If the person with a gambling problem is expressing remorse about gambling or if they have just finished a gambling episode, they may be more open to talking about the issue. Speak in a caring and understanding tone. If the person with a gambling problem rationalizes their actions, be prepared to bring up facts (e.g., missed bills, work, etc.) or to end the discussion. Keep the discussion focused on behaviour. Let your relative or friend know how their activities are affecting others, including yourself, but don’t attack them.

Common Concerns about Talking with Someone You Care About

I am worried that I will hurt our relationship – and I really care about this person.
What can I do?

It is quite understandable that you would worry about hurting your relationship if you "rock the boat". That is why it is very important to get as much information as you can and do it in the right way. Check the "Talking about Gambling Problems" section of this website. Remember, if you think there is a problem there could well be one. If you don’t talk about it you can lose the relationship anyway — to gambling.

I am worried that I may just be making it up - that he is just having a good time and I will ruin it.

That is an important consideration. You don’t want to be saying someone has a problem if they don’t. If you take a close look at the other parts of this website, check your perception with other relatives and friends and assess the person’s behaviour against the signs of a problem you should be all right. But, remember a very important principle. Don’t accuse or preach. Ask, express concern.

I am not an expert. How can I tell my relative or friend they have a problem?

Nobody is asking you to solve other people’s problems or to counsel them. If you read through the information on this website you will see ways to get informed, to ask questions and to act in a way that will help. But, in the end, if someone has a gambling problem you can only assist; you cannot solve the problem. It is not your problem; ultimately it is their problem.

I am probably over-reacting; won’t they just stop gambling after a certain point?

That can happen, but in most cases the person needs the support of friends and family. In other cases a professional counsellor or support group (like Gamblers Anonymous) can help.

As well, it is important to remember that changing a very deep habit or compulsion can be very, very difficult. The person may falter and have setbacks – this is normal. It is not a catastrophe, rather it can be a stumbling block on the way to a better life. The most important part for you is to remember what you have learned in this website and use it. The rest is up to your relative or friend.

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

FOR THE GAMBLER
FOR FAMILY MEMBERS

For The Gambler: Controlling Debt

If a gambling problem hurts financially, there are ways to limit future risk:

Don’t look at gambling as a way to solve your financial troubles.
Limit the amount of cash you have access to by:

Having wages automatically deposited into your bank account
Destroying ATM cards or personal chequebooks
Setting up bank accounts that require two signatures for withdrawals, rather than just your own
Setting up daily cash withdrawal limits
Paying bills electronically, not in cash

Take responsibility for your financial situation:

Contact a credit counselling service, a bankruptcy trustee, and/or make a "proposal to the creditors" and pledge to repay a portion of your outstanding debt. This will not only help with your finances, it will help re-build your self-esteem.

Get a part-time job if necessary.

This will occupy your free time and help keep you from looking for a ‘quick out’. It may be tough, but in the long run it will help with your financial situation and make you feel better.

Put someone else you trust in charge of your ATM or credit cards, at least for a period of time, or destroy them completely.

Protect your assets by transferring their titles to your spouse or partner’s name.

Seek professional help from a problem gambling specialist, credit counsellor, etc.

For Family Members: Protecting Money

Keep track of all money that is spent and owed.

Protect assets:

Consider changing bank accounts, mortgages, and other assets so that the gambler cannot access them. A financial advisor may be helpful with this process.

Negotiate controls for the management of family finances:

Try to assume responsibility for the gambler's credit or ATM cards. Give them access to money for daily necessities only until the situation improves.

Do not rescue the gambler by offering them money to pay off debts:

This will only allow the problem to continue.

Seek professional help:

Both for financial advice and emotional support.

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

A network of resources is available across Ontario, with free and confidential services.

Many agencies also provide help for family members and friends of the gambler.

Problem Gambling Resources Locator

Please enter your postal code to locate a treatment centre near you:

Postal Code:

Or call the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
1-888-230-3505 toll-free, confidential, anonymous, open 24 hours

For a complete list of Problem Gambling Resources in Ontario, click here.

Responsible Gambling Council
411 Richmond Street East
Suite 205
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5A 3S5

Tel.: 416-499-9800
Fax: 416-499-8260
Toll Free: 1 (888) 391-1111

If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about, for free and confidential help click here.

This is your place to tell us what you think, request more information or share your story. The information provided is confidential.

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If you are concerned about your gambling, or the gambling of someone you care about,
for free and confidential help click here.

The Responsible Gambling Council gratefully acknowledges the Government of Ontario,
Ministry of Health Promotion, for its support.