Ep. 52 - Betting During the Holiday Season
Gambling shows up regularly in our day-to-day lives. We see scratch and lottery tickets at the checkout counter, sports betting ads on TV and our devices, and 50/50 draws and raffles in community fundraisers.
The holiday season often involves even more encounters with gambling - through gifting scratch and lottery products, invitations to meet at the casino, or watching family and friends place a bet on a card game or sporting event.
In episode 52 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, we talk about why it is important to pay attention to gambling showing up over the holidays, especially with young people. If you or someone you care about has had problems with gambling, we discuss why the holiday season can be a risky time for relapse and how to prevent this.
Listen now and learn about:
why exposing young people to gambling increases risk for gambling problems in adulthood
how to talk to young people about gambling concerns
how the holiday season can present tricky situations if you are wanting to stay away from gambling
how to prevent a relapse
gambling problem support that is available 24/7 over the holidays
Listen now to episode 52 of Fold em by clicking on the green play button at the top of the blog.
If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.
Gifting scratch tickets and betting with family and friends may seem like harmless fun over the holidays.
Learn why it can be risky for young people and for those who have had problems with gambling in the past.
It’s Just For Fun … What’s the Problem With Involving Kids and Teens in Gambling Over the Holidays?
There are lots of ways young people are exposed to gambling:
Getting scratch or lottery tickets as a gift
Watching adults at home play the lottery and scratch tickets or gamble online
Seeing ads and promotions for sports betting and seeing family members bet as they watch sports
Watching or joining in poker and card games at home
Watching or joining in online play on a PC, console or mobile device
It seems harmless. Except, pause and consider this:
Research shows that children introduced to gambling before age twelve are four times more likely to later develop a gambling problem.
Rates of gambling problems are higher in youth compared to the rest of the population. Among 18-24 years old in British Columbia, 7.3% were problem gamblers and 18.4% were at risk for gambling problems.
Recent BC research also shows that youth who gamble are more likely to do so online. Compared to their peers who don’t gamble, these young gamblers are more likely to experience challenges in life, including isolation, mental health issues, poverty and to use substances. Youth who are active in sports are also more likely to wager on sports.
Why is Early Exposure to Gambling Connected With an Increased Risk for Gambling Problems?
In episode 52 or Fold em, Tracy Tsui, who provides Outreach Support in British Columbia for gambling concerns, explains that our brains remember early wins and positive experiences with gambling. These memories are then associated with ideas such as “gambling is fun,” “I’m lucky when gambling,” or “that's an easy way to make money.” These ideas and positive associations with gambling can lead to risky gambling behaviour in the future.
How Can Parents and Families Handle Gambling During the Holiday Season?
Whether gambling is part of your holiday traditions or not, it is helpful to keep in mind that children and teens are regularly exposed to gambling in their lives. A recent BC study showed that about two thirds (63%) of BC youth (ages 12-18) participated in some type of gambling activity, but without money. About one fifth (21%) gambled with money.
Tracy Tsui offers these tips to parents and caregivers when talking to young people about gambling:
Explain what gambling is: “taking part in any game or activity in which you risk money or a valuable object in order to win.” Give examples of gambling activities: e.g., lottery, poker, sports betting, loot boxes, and paying money to buy more credits or coins for an online game.
Help them see that while gambling is a common activity, just like alcohol and drugs, it can create problems for some people. Young people are more at risk for gambling problems because their brains are not fully developed.
Explain that wins in gambling are unlikely and random. And, to approach gambling as a fun activity in which you are prepared to lose whatever you put in.
Talk about ways to set limits with your time and money when gambling.
Finally, encourage them to keep talking openly to you about gambling.
How Do I Handle Gambling During the Holiday Season If It Has Been a Problem in the Past?
With gambling potentially being a part of gifting and social activities over the holidays, it can be challenging for individuals who are working on staying away from gambling. This time of year can also be difficult if finances are tight and relationships strained because of gambling problems.
In this episode, Tracy Tsui, talks about these challenges and how to handle them.
Here’s some tips for preventing gambling from getting out of control over the holidays:
Think ahead about what situations may be stressful or emotionally difficult and make a plan to address this. e.g. feeling lonely on Christmas Eve because you have no plans that night OR going to a family event with people that have loaned you money in the past.
Think about what situations could expose you to gambling and come up with ideas ahead of time about how to handle this. e.g. letting friends know that you will pass on going to the casino after dinner OR asking your girlfriend to help steer sports betting conversations in a different direction.
Plan ahead to have extra support for yourself, e.g. talk to someone you trust know about difficult and stressful situations that might come up for you over the holidays OR commit to attending an online meeting or chat forum for gambling concerns.
What Support is Available Over the Holidays for Gambling Problems?
For Residents of British Columbia
If you live in British Columbia, you can connect with Tracy Tsui or one of her Outreach Support Colleagues anytime, but particularly over the holidays. To do so, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. You can also access these services through the Gambling Support Line. It is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
Gambling Support BC services are available to any British Columbia resident experiencing problems from gambling. You don’t need to stop or quit gambling or be self-excluded to access these free supports.
Our counselling and outreach services can help you figure out how to manage gambling concerns, including how to control or stop gambling. You decide what will work for you.
You can talk to an outreach support person about next steps for yourself if you aren’t wanting counselling. They can help you find self-help resources or local community resources and make a plan that meets you where you are at.
Outside of British Columbia
Canada: www.gamblingguidelines.ca/getting-help
United States: National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom: GamCare
Australia: Gamblers’ Help
If you live outside of these countries, search online for “Gambling Help” in your country
Online Support and Meetings:
Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
If you would like to hear more from Tracy Tsui about handling gambling issues over the holiday season, listen to episode 52 of Fold em. Click on the red “Listen Now to Fold em” button below.
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.