While gambling can be fun, people need to know the risks involved when they play.
That’s why the Responsible Gambling Council is at the Thunder Bay Casino this week to tell people the odds of becoming a problem gambler. According to the independent non-profit organization, which is committed to the prevention of problem gambling, more than 4,000 people have a moderate to severe gambling problem.
“People need to have realistic expectations about winning and losing,” said the council’s project coordinator Jennifer Beech. “For a lot of people gambling is entertainment it’s fun but it has risks.”
The council has been running problem gambling prevention week for eight years. It has a booth set up inside the casino with information and games to tell people the risks and where to get help.
“If you find that you’re spending too much time gambling, if you’re spending too much money gambling, if you’re hiding your gambling, lying about it those are some of the risks,” Beech said.
Getting help can be as easy as calling the province’s problem gambling helpline, which is free and open 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Thunder Bay also has the Sister Margaret Smith Centre. It has services available for those people who need help with their gambling.
For more information visit www.noregrets.ca.
