Why Self-Help?
- Problem gamblers can be inhibited from seeking help because of shame and secrecy.
- Self Help provides another option in the continuum of care for gamblers, family, and friends.
- It will help all those affected understand problem gambling and gambling addiction.
- It is free, anonymous, and easy to access.
- Having more information will help you feel more comfortable in accessing other services.
- Knowledge gained from Self-Help will reduce the fear of accessing additional help.
Making a Decision about Gambling
Completing this will help you identify the benefits and costs of gambling. It will get you to think about how you want to move forward. Just print Making a Decision about Gambling pdf.
This can be completed again at 3 or 6-month intervals to see if your gambling decision remains the same.
Learn How to Monitor Your Gambling
Learning to understand and control gambling urges is an important step in regaining control over gambling behaviour. Using this Weekly Self-Monitoring tool will help you discover gambling patterns, triggers, and coping strategies that are working.
To get started just print off the Weekly Self Monitoring Report form. Fill it in daily keeping track of those days you gambled, didn’t gamble, thoughts of gambling, or days gambling were not thought about.
Gambling Behavior Workbook and Self Study Guide
This Workbook will help you look at your life and your gambling, and identify the problems you would like to work on. As you go through the workbook, you will learn more about gambling and how it can become a problem. You will also be able to look at your own life and your gambling behavior. This should help you decide if you want to either cut down your gambling or stop gambling completely.
The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba created this workbook based on their experience helping people who are concerned about their gambling behaviour.
The study guide includes:
- Gambling Self Assessment
- Information on Managing your Money
- Gambling Patterns and Triggers
- Filling the Void
- Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Gamblers Recovery Checklist and Worksheet
The Gamblers Recovery Checklist and Worksheet is a Self-Help tool that will help you measure where you are at and what progress you are making. It assesses 5 different areas that gambling impacts your life:
- Managing / Eliminating Gambling Activity
- Emotional Psychological and Physical Wellbeing
- Social and Family Well-being
- Job and financial Well-being
- Spritual Well-being
Completing the Gamblers Recovery Checklist and Worksheet.pdf at 3-month intervals will help you measure your progress.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
Gamblers Anonymous provides people with an opportunity to share their experiences. It also provides support and hope in order to stop gambling. At regular local meetings throughout Saskatchewan, members share their gambling and abstinence experiences. They discuss the 12 steps to recovery. The only membership requirement is a desire to stop gambling. There are no membership fees.
GA Services that are Available:
Attend a Gamblers Anonymous Meeting in the Province – See Directory of Services for Saskatchewan GA Meeting Times and Locations.
Saskatchewan Hotline – 1-855-781-9522
Regina: (306) 781-9522
Saskatoon: (306) 370-0124
Prince Alberta: (306) 961-6667
Gam-Anon
Gam-Anon provides a supportive environment for spouses, relatives, or close friends of problem gamblers to share their experiences. This group is not affiliated with Gamblers Anonymous, but the two organizations have common goals. There is no membership fee.
At this time there is currently no active meeting in the Province.
This would provide you with all the information that you would need to start up a Gam-Anon Meeting. Family members are welcome to attend the Thursday Gamblers Anonymous Meetings in Regina.
SaskGaming Casino Programs (Casino Regina and Moose Jaw)
GameSense Information Centres are located at Casino Regina and Moose Jaw. See the information that is available on Casino Regina’s or Casino Moose Jaw website includes:
- Gamesense Tip’s – How to play responsibly
- Voluntary Self-Exclusion – How you can stay out of the Regina and Moose Jaw Casino’s. The program enables you to voluntarily exclude yourself from Casinos Regina & Moose Jaw, the Show Lounge, and restaurants, as well as Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) casinos. SIGA casinos include Bear Claw Casino, Dakota Dunes Casino, Gold Eagle Casino, Living Sky Casino, Northern Lights Casino, and Painted Hand Casino.
- Disentitlement of Winnings – Effective October 1, 2015, prohibited individuals are ineligible to receive any winnings including cash or prizes at Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw. Prohibited individuals are those voluntarily excluded from Saskatchewan casinos, involuntarily excluded from SaskGaming casinos, and those under the age of 19. Denying excluded individuals the opportunity to win removes the primary incentive to gamble and will help deter excluded individuals from entering SaskGaming properties.
- Player Activity Statements – This allows you to access and review your gambling behavior.
- If you have any questions about the responsible gambling program at Casino Regina or Casino Moose Jaw please contact the Manager of Responsible Gaming at Casino Regina – 306-787-2122
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Casino Programs
Provides responsible gaming information on their website. See GameSense which includes:
- How Gambling works
- How Slot Machine Works
- Responsible Gaming Strategy
- Self Assessment
- Self Exclusion – SIGA Self Exclusion
- Tips on Playing Responsibly
The self-help resource material has been helpful, but I am still gambling?
It’s not unusual for problem gamblers to need a combination of services. As they may be faced with, financial, relationship, mental health, or addictions issues to address.
Sometimes the help of experienced Crisis Gambling Counsellors and Gambling Counsellors can put things in perspective and provide the direction you need to move forward.
Credit Counselling
Problem gambling can impact your financial situation very quickly. So knowing where your money is going and developing a plan to manage your money is important.
This will help you gain control of your gambling. The Credit Counselling Society will help you develop a plan of financial recovery. It is free and confidential.
Self Help Materials
What can I do to help myself? Find the resources you need to take back your life.
