The Chase: Report on Problem Gambling

Nick Rupcich

As Problem Gambling Services completes it’s eighth year of operation, we once again identify an increase in the number of residents requesting help for gambling related problems. During our fiscal year 2001/02 we provided services for 497 individuals which is a 14.5% increase over the previous year. The 497 clients are made up of 313 (63%) gamblers while the remaining 184 (37%) are family members being treated as primary clients. Since 1996 we have seen the number of female gamblers rise from 32% to 46%. We expect to see this trend continue as we are currently running treatment groups which are predominantly female.

The average age of our client has increased from 39.7 years to 43.3 years. The increase in age is directly related to a significant increase in older adults requesting services. Twenty-one percent (21%) of our clients were 55 or over compared with fourteen percent (14%) the previous year.

Table 1 identifies the types of gambling that clients report as problematic while table 2 indicates client occupational status.

Problem Gambling Services will continue to provide the residents of Essex County with current information about our services and testimonials from our neighbours to heighten awareness and reduce problematic gambling for our community.

Nick Rupcich

For Previous Issues of "The Chase" please Click Here

Love Hurts	Pg 2
Resources	Pg 2
Gambling's Dark Side	Pg 3
When Someone's Gambling Addiction Becomes Your Problem	Pg 4
Heads Up	Pg 4
Internet Gambling	Pg 4

Did You Know?

The staff at Problem Gambling Services believe that a gambling addiction is a complex disorder that affects not only the gambler, but also those who are involved in a significant relationship with the person gambling.

To meet the needs of those affected by someone else’s gambling, PGS provides a two day therapeutic and educational workshop which is free and confidential. Workshops are scheduled on an as needed basis and provided on Saturday and Sunday to avoid interfering with work schedules.

Call 254-2112 for more details.