Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals

Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals
What Is Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is not just about the loss of money, but how it can
affect the person’s whole life. Gambling is a problem when it:
• interferes with work, school or other activities
• leads to emotional or physical health problems
• causes financial problems
• harms the family or other relationships.
You may have heard the following terms, which have also been used
to describe problem gambling:
• gambling addiction
• compulsive gambling
• pathological gambling
• gambling disorder.
facts about problem gambling in ontario
and canada
• In 2005, 3.4% of adults had a moderate to severe problem with
gambling. An additional 5.8% were classified as “at-risk” for problem
gambling. 1
• The number of clients being served by Ontario’s specialized treatment
system is low but slowly increasing. 2
• In 2005 about 4% of high school students were at risk for a gambling
problem. The percentage of all students who gambled at cards significantly
increased since 2003. 3
• In 2005, one in seven adult men and women living alone spent money
on casinos, slot machines or video lottery terminals, yet men spent more
than three times as much money on gambling as women. 4
• Problem gambling prevalence rates are higher for people with a history
of mental illness or substance use problems. 5
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