Ep. 42 - If You Gamble - Guidelines for Lowering the Risks and Harms of Gambling

Most of us gamble. In British Columbia, nearly 75% of adults in this province gambled at least once in the past year.*

For some, it gets out of control. About 3.3% of adults in British Columbia (about 125,000 people) experience problems because of their gambling. This number (3-4%) is pretty consistent around the world where gambling is available. When gambling gets out of hand, money is lost, but it can also lead to conflict in our relationships, feelings of guilt, isolation, stress and anxiety as well as an increase in alcohol and drug use.

If you gamble, how do you ensure that it doesn’t get out of control and cause negative consequences? What limits should you set for yourself? How do you stick to these limits?

In episode 42 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, we tell you about guidelines that have recently been developed in Canada to help you reduce the risk of experiencing harms from gambling.

Tune in to episode 42 to learn about:

• guidelines for how much to spend, how often to play, and how to limit the types of games you play

• who has a higher risk of developing gambling problems

• tips for sticking to gambling limits

Listen now to episode 42 of Fold em by clicking on the green play button at the top of the blog. You can also watch our one-minute YouTube video for a quick summary of the lower-risk gambling guidelines.

If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.

How do I reduce the risk of experiencing harms from gambling?

Follow all three of the guidelines developed by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

How Much is Too Much When Gambling? What Limits Should I Set for Myself?

In this episode of Fold em, Roxanne L’Esperance and Martha Funk tell us about the Lower-Risk Guidelines developed by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

To reduce your risk of experiencing harms from gambling, follow all three of these guidelines:

• Gambling no more than 1% of household income (before tax) each month

• Gamble no more than 4 days per month

• Avoid regularly gambling at more than 2 types of gambling activities, e.g. sports betting, lottery, 50/50 draws, slots

The quick way to remember this is 1, 4, 2 (only gamble 1 percent of household income; no more than 4 days each month and no more than 2 types of gambling activities.

Are Some People More at Risk to Develop Gambling Problems?

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction notes that some people are more at risk for gambling getting out of control. They recommend that you consider gambling less than these guidelines or not at all if you …

• experience problems from alcohol, cannabis or other drug use

• experience problems with anxiety or depression

• have a personal or family history of problems with gambling

The type of game you play also makes a difference. Fast-paced games that involve frequent betting can more quickly lead to problems. Online gambling, slot machines and electronic gaming machines move fast, making it harder to take a break, which can lead to more spending.

How Do I Stick to My Limits With Gambling?

Martha and Roxanne tell us that when people hear about these guidelines they are happy to have a standard to which they can compare their gambling. This helps them to know if their own gambling is low risk. However, they also hear that it’s sometimes hard to stay consistent with gambling limits. For example, many are trying online sports betting and during the recent NHL playsoffs they bet more than four times a month and spent way more than usual.

These guidelines provide a way to monitor when your gambling changes and figure out what to do differently next time if things got out of hand.

In this episode of Fold em, we offer tips for sticking to your gambling limits. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction also offer ideas. Here are some highlights:

• Get clear on YOUR limits: the 1, 4, 2 guidelines (above) are based on scientific evidence and a good way to reduce the risks of gambling. But, at time you may need to adapt things for yourself, e.g. for trip or special event. Plan ahead and have clear limits before you gamble

• Involve other people: tell someone your gambling limits and let them know if you went beyond your limits. Accountability and being open and honest helps keep gambling in check.

• Limit alcohol and drugs when gambling: we’re more impulsive and less in control when drinking or high.

• Limit your time and money: recognize that once you start gambling it can be hard to stop. So, help yourself stop by scheduling something you have to do right after gambling and/or limit easy access to money, e.g. only taking cash to a casino or keeping limited funds in the account you use for online play.

• Think about your reasons for gambling: is it for fun? is it to take a break from stress and problems? You might find it harder to stick to your limits if you’re gambling to get a break from stress and problems.

Hear more from Martha and Roxanne about how to figure out your limits with gambling and stick to these in episode 42 of Fold em.

Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog or the red “Listen and Subscribe to Fold em” button below.

Check out other episodes of Fold em and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.

Want to Find Out More about the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines?

Visit www.gamblingguidelines.ca to find out more about the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions' Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines.

Want to Connect With Support and Counselling in British Columbia and Canada?

If you live in British Columbia and would like to learn more about free, confidential support and counselling services from Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. You can also access our services through the Gambling Support Line. It is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.

Gambling Support BC services are available to residents of British Columbia who are concerned about their own or a loved one’s gambling.

For a list of resources in Canada, visit www.gamblingguidelines.ca/getting-help

Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors. Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website, click on the red “Learn More” button below, or connect with us through Facebook.

• BC Problem Gambling Prevalence Study Final Report, 2014, R.A. Malatest & Associates.