Responsible Gambling Council to talk problem gambling in Sudbury, Ont.

Morning North6:55Responsible gambling

Putting a few bucks down at the Slots can be lots of fun, but how do you know if gambling is becoming a problem? Galo Chan of the Responsible Gambling Council joined us in studio. He's part of a mobile team set up to help deal with problem gambling.

Gamblers taking part in some gaming at the Sudbury Downs this week wil be asked to consider their gambling habits as they head for the slots.

The Responsible Gambling Council will be at the slotsover the next few days as part of Problem Gambling Prevention Week.

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Spokesperson Galo Chan said he will be speaking with people as they enter the area where the slot machines are. His message will be to get gamblers to think about how the games make them feel.

"Gambling isn't a way to make money," he said, adding that it's time to seek help if a person's emotions towards the games tend to be mostly negative.

"Virtually all people with gambling problems hold the false belief that they are due for a big one, and that belief can feed the development of a gambling problem."

Watch the CBC's Markus Schwabe as he tries out a game on Morning North that the Responsible Gambling Council is hoping will help problem gamblers this week at Sudbury Downs

According to the council's research, approximately 3.4 per cent of Ontarians have a moderate to severe gambling problem which equates to over 5,000 adults in the Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin Districts.

Galo's talks are also slated to include some information about detecting the early signs of problem gambling before it becomes too serious. The gambling council said those signs can include feelings of guilt, anxiety, or frustration.

"You don't want to gamble more than you can afford to lose, so setting a betting limit to what you are comfortable losing and sticking with it," he said.

According to the gambling council, free and confidential help is available to those who need it.

In addition to being at Sudbury Downs until Sunday, the Responsible Gambling Council will also have a presence at Boardwalk Bingo on Thursday and Saturday.