CMHA recognizes Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Mar 3, 2022

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, an annual event to increase public awareness
of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Gambling is a leisure activity that may occur over a continuum, ranging from casual social
gambling, with no harm caused, to pathological gambling, with serious harmful consequences
for the individual gambling and their loved ones. Gambling becomes a problem when it is done
excessively and negatively affects a person’s daily activities, school or work performance,
mental health, physical health, interpersonal relationships, and finances.

A recent CMHA Ontario poll found that a third of the Ontario gamblers reported to have been
gambling more since the pandemic began. People who experience problems with gambling are
found in all age groups, across all income groups and social strata, across all genders and race.
For some, the challenges with gambling may occur suddenly, whereas for others, over many
years of use.

If you are concerned about problematic gambling for yourself or a loved one, CMHA Simcoe County Branch offers Individual Outpatient Counseling Program available to individuals (12 years of age and up) who are concerned about their own or someone else’s gambling or video gaming.  Problem Gambling Program (https://cmhastarttalking.ca)

To help Canadians make informed decisions about their gambling, The Canadian Centre on
Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) have created a set of evidence-informed Lower-Risk
Gambling Guidelines. These guidelines will help Canadians make informed decisions about
their gambling.

The Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines are:
• Gamble no more than 1% of household income before tax per month
• Gamble no more than 4 days per month
• Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of games
Learn more about the guidelines at gamblingguidelines.ca