March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month on both sides of the border, though it generally gets more coverage in the US.
Gambling becomes a problem for players when done excessively in ways that negatively affect one’s daily life. Negative impacts may involve school or work performance, mental health issues, or strains on physical health, interpersonal relationships and finances.
To help Canadians make informed gambling decisions, The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction created evidence-informed lower-risk gambling guidelines.
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
Problem gambling will continue to be a focus at PlayCanada
At PlayCanada we believe responsible gambling deserves more focus. So, over the next month, we’ll be digging deeper into RG best practices and incorporating narratives into our daily coverage wherever it allows.
In the meantime, those unsure of whether their gambling is a problem can try out the online assessment tool developed by CCSA.
And Canadians experiencing problems with gambling can access regional support via helplines and counselling services in multiple languages.
Readers in the United States can find information on where to access problem gambling supports on the responsible gambling help support page.
PlayCanada encourages everyone to gamble responsibly
