Gambling

Introduction

Historically, gambling was a social pastime that has been enjoyed throughout the ages. Archeologists have discovered evidence that people in Egypt, China, Japan, and Greece played games of chance with dice and other devices as far back as 2000 B.C.

For more than two decades, the gambling industry has experienced significant growth in most Canadian provinces. Today, in Canada, there are more than 80 permanent casinos, 87,000 gambling machines (slot machines and video lottery terminals), 33,000 lottery ticket centrs, 250 racetracks and teletheatres, and 25,000 licenses to run various bingo, temporary casinos, raffles, pull tickets and other activities. There are also 2,500 Internet gambling sites. Online poker has over 400 websites and the numbers are growing daily.

For the majority of Canadians, gambling is a form of entertainment that has no negative impact. However, between 3 to 5% of Canadians develop gambling-related problems. The Canadian Forces 2000 Health and Lifestyle Information Survey (HLIS), for Regular Force members reported that no more than 1% of CF members reported having a gambling problem. Given that the CF tends to reflect Canadian society, and that the availability of gambling has increased, there is concern that the problem may be more widespread than this. Therefore, CF Gambling Policies (below) outline how this issue is being addressed.

The Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling Awareness Program was released in November 2005 to provide information to CF members about alcohol, other drug use, and gambling. To register, contact your Local Health Promotion Office.

• Modules: Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling Awareness
• Module 7: An Introduction to Gambling and Problem Gambling
• CF Gambling Policies

Related Resources

• Centre for Addictions and Mental Health
• Responsible Gambling Council
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Your Local Health Promotion Office

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