New guidelines released for Windsor-Essex residents to consider before gambling
With local casinos reopened and online betting easier than ever, there are concerns that problem gambling could be on the upswing.
New guidelines have been released by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addition (CCSA) aimed at helping reduce the harm caused by gambling.
“It doesn’t matter how educated you are. It doesn’t matter your socioeconomic status. Your religion, your gender. It has no baring,” says gambling counsellor Chelsea Rodrigues.
Rodrigues says the new guidelines are welcome at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare in Windsor-Essex telling CTV News there is concern that those who have been diagnosed with a previous gambling addiction could relapse with the easing of indoor restrictions and access to online wagering.
“We highly encourage people who have already been diagnosed with a problematic or addictive gambling disorder, not to go in and test the waters and say well it’s been so long since I’ve been to the casino, I just wonder how I’ll fare now that we’re open again,” she says.
The CCSA recommendations includes gabling no more than one per cent of your household income per month, gamble no more than four days a month, and keep regular gambling to two or fewer types of games.
“It’s really just a way of limiting people’s gambling participation,” says Dr. Matthew Young who co-chaired the scientific committee that developed the CCSA guidelines.
Young says the guidelines should go hand in hand with each other for harm reduction.
“The reason some people experience some harm from gambling is the expenditure and then there’s also the time away from family and friends or time spent gambling that could have been spent doing other things,” Young says.
Meanwhile, Rodrigues says there is space available for in-person treatment for problematic gambling, explaining the wait time between first phone call and consultation is typically two days.
“We are seeing clients face to face,” she says. “We still have a residential program running and fortunately our wait time and our wait list is not long.”
Rodrigues adds, “It doesn’t need to get so bad that you come here in a crisis. It can come if you’re have questions or if you’re a loved one of a gambler and you have some questions about somebody else’s behaviours, you’re more than welcome to come and receive that information.”
She says anyone can fall victim to problematic gambling, saying it’s best to plan on losing.
“If you’re honest with yourself about your intentions before you go gambling if it really is just for entertainment and you can afford it no problem, go for it,” Rodrigues says. “However, if you’re going for any other reason than that, that should raise some red flags and we’re definitely here to talk about it.”
- With files from ctvnews.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.