Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline

Gambling Facts

Gambling is NOT just a financial problem. Some problem gamblers do not have financial issues even though they may lose money gambling.
Gambling is an emotional issue where a person feels the need to gamble to alleviate stress or because they feel a certain type of euphoria when they gamble.
Gambling is an obsession that can take over your life if you let it go too far, this can lead to the loss of relationships, jobs, and, yes, finances, but the issue behind compulsive gambling is not financial, it is emotional.
The more information you know about gambling will benefit you in your recovery.
The rate of problem gambling in Canada ranges from low of .04% in Quebec to a high of 1.4% in Manitoba. Saskatchewan is 1.2%
Moderate risk gambling ranges from .07 % in Prince Edward Island to a high of 4.7% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Based on the adult population at the time of the last prevalence study, it is estimated that there are 44,527 moderate risk and problem gamblers in Saskatchewan.
At the time of the last prevalence study 8,600 children, 19 and under, live with a parent who has a gambling problem. An additional, 19,000 children live with a parent who is a moderate risk gambler. That means that 10% of kids live with a parent who has a gambling problem.
The experts say that the actions of one problem gambler negatively impacts the lives of between five and 10 others.
In 2013-14, in Saskatchewan, approximately 700M was generated in revenues through government-operated gambling, that’s roughly 1.9M every day. A small portion of the revenue is directed to charities.
Saskatchewan residents 18+, spend an average of $799 per year on government operated gambling, which is the highest in the country. The Canadian average is $535/adult.
Betting $1 per spin instead of $2.50 per spin will reduce your cost of play by 150%.
Playing 2 seconds slower will reduce your cost of play by up to $21 an hour if you are betting $1 per spin.
In 2013-14, the Problem Gambling Helpline received 581 calls from gamblers and family/friends. Provincially, there were 313 clients (gamblers/family members) receiving problem gambling treatment services within health regions.
Of gambling clients, 59% say they had the most problems with VLTs, 30% indicated slots. 16% had problems with alcohol or drugs, and/or mental health problems 22%.