February 1, 2010

If all Canadians took “responsibility for their own behaviour”, there wouldn’t be any problem gamblers. Human nature being what it is, though, some people do need help to address problems with gambling. An overwhelming percentage of Canadians who gamble do so responsibly, and enjoy the activity. Indeed, research conducted has repeatedly shown that about 1 per cent of Canadians can be classified as problem gamblers.

Costco Connection, January/February 2010 Informed Debate: Are governments doing enough to help problem gamblers?

If all Canadians took “responsibility for their own behaviour”, there wouldn’t be any problem gamblers. Human nature being what it is, though, some people do need help to address problems with gambling.

An overwhelming percentage of Canadians who gamble do so responsibly, and enjoy the activity. Indeed, research conducted has repeatedly shown that about 1 per cent of Canadians can be classified as problem gamblers.

This statistic is consistent worldwide, according to a report to the Canadian Gaming Association entitled Problem Gambling Prevalence Research: A Critical Overview. This research also shows that the percentage of problem gamblers does not increase when new games are brought into the marketplace. In fact, when new gambling products are introduced alongside effective awareness campaigns about the risks of gambling, problem gaming numbers often decline.

Education and awareness programs work. The Canadian industry spends more than any other nation in the world on responsible gambling programs. At more than $100 million per year, initiatives include mandatory training for employees, information centres at casinos, public awareness campaigns, and treatment and counseling, just to name a few.

With respect to the notion that gambling leads to addiction, Howard Shaffer, the director of the Division of Addictions at The Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate, calls this a myth. He states, “The game doesn’t cause the disorder, because if it did, everyone who played the game would end up with a problem.”

Self-exclusion was never intended to be a form of policing. Most treatment experts would agree that the purpose and intent of self-exclusion is to help people face up to the fact that they have a problem with gambling and to encourage them to make a formal decision to stop gambling and to seek treatment.

For most people, legalized gaming is risk-free and fun. It also supports an industry that employs 135,000 people nationally, contributes $8.7 billion annually to government and is a preferred entertainment choice across Canada.

The gaming industry and government have a shared interest in reducing the dangers to people at risk, while promoting health gaming for the majority of Canada who enjoy it.

Paul Burns is vice president of the Canadian Gaming Association, which represents casino operators, equipment suppliers and other elements of Canada’s gaming industry.