Adolescent problem gamblers:

• are more likely to be boys but girls seem to be catching up
• are overly represented as a group compared to adult problem gamblers
• are greater risk takers in general
• often show signs of lower self esteem
• report higher rates of depression
• gamble to escape problems
• are more likely to develop an addiction(s)
• seem to be more excitable and outgoing,
• are more anxious and less self-disciplined
• are at greater risk for suicide ideation and suicide attempts
• often replace their regular friends with gambling acquaintances
• have poor general coping skills
• report beginning gambling at an early age (approximately 10)
• often recall an early big win
• report more daily hassles and major traumatic life events
• often have parents, relatives, or friends who gamble
• are more likely to be delinquent and involved in criminal activities to acquire money
• develop problems with family and friends
• move quickly from just gambling with friends and family to problem gambling
• show decreased academic performance

Problem gambling occurs when a person continues to gamble excessively despite experiencing a wide range of negative consequences. A preoccupation and loss of control over one's gambling behavior can have an impact in one or more areas of a person's life. For examples, gambling may negatively impact several areas such as one's interpersonal, financial, legal, educational/work, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

Interpersonal: Are there problems with friends or family because of their gambling?
Financial: Are they spending, wagering, or borrowing more money than they can afford?
Legal: Are they risking getting into trouble with the police due to illegal acts to obtain money?
Education/Work: Is their school work or job suffering from the time spent gambling?
Physical: Is their health (e.g., sleep, eating habits) being affected by their gambling?
Emotional: Are they feeling more anxious, down, or even angry because of their gambling?

Signs of Problem Gambling

Some signs that your son or daughter may have a gambling problem include:

• Spends a lot of time gambling and thinking about gambling.
• Misses' school or grades start to worsen because of time spent gambling.
• Starts to place larger and more frequent bets to maintain interest and excitement produced by gambling.
• Experiences mood swings and feels stressed when not gambling regularly or trying to reduce or stop gambling.
• Promises to stop or reduce their gambling but has trouble following through with plan.
• Lies or is secretive about gambling activities.
• Missing personal belongings or cannot cover regular expenses as he/she has used these to finance gambling activities.
• Borrows or takes money from family members or friends to gamble.
• Keeps on gambling because they believe that he/she can win back their money and then stop.
• Gambles as a means to escape or forget their problems.
• Family members or friends are concerned that your son/daughter's gambling is becoming serious.

It is important to note that an individual with gambling problems will not necessarily endorse all of these behaviors.

If I think my child may have a gambling problem what should I do?

Remember that the first thing you can do as a parent is to talk to your child. Communicating with your child or teen begins with listening. As a preventive measure you can talk to them about gambling to make sure they understand the risks that can occur when gambling. Encouraging conversation about gambling does not mean that you agree with the behavior. In reality, it can help your child make informed decisions about their own behavior.

Be aware that children are more likely to gamble if they observe their family members gambling or they hear their family members talking excitedly about gambling. Discussing with your child that gambling is a form of entertainment and not a good way to make money can help them understand that in addition to being fun, there are risks to gambling. Limiting or eliminating gambling activities in the home (e.g. playing poker for money) and replacing these with non-gambling family activities can help create a fun and healthy family environment.

If you think your child is gambling or gambling too much you have many options including seeking professional help. Here are some general steps to follow:

• Get informed about gambling and its risks.
• Be aware of your own gambling behavior and beliefs.
• Encourage discussions and questions about gambling.
• Listen to what your child has to say.
• Set limits of time, money and frequency of gambling if problems are not severe.
• Seek professional assistance if you think the problem is severe.

The Bigger Picture

It is important to remember that most people gamble without developing a gambling problem. These people may occasionally buy a lottery ticket or place a bet on a sport game. After they have placed their bet or bought their ticket they engage in other non-gambling activities. For others, gambling becomes a serious activity and can eventually turn into a problem. Gambling problems can affect school work, mood, and family/peer relationships and may even lead to illegal activities. Not everyone will experience the same degree of gambling problems as they can range from mild to severe.

A gambling help line and referral service is available from Jeu: Aide et Reference 1-800-461-0140 or 514-527-0140.

The Referral Service of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec is open from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 514.738.1223 or 1 800 561.1223. Referral service is also available at their web address www.ordrepsy.qc.ca

Referrals resources generally exist in many countries throughout the world. If you cannot find a local resource please contact us.

Treatment Centres

Foster Pavillon: (514) 486-1843 (English)
Dollard Cormier: (514) 385-0046 (French)
Maison Jean Lapointe : (514) 288-2611 (French)