The Chase: Report on Problem Gambling

RESOURCES

WINDSOR REGIONAL
PROBLEM GAMBLING SERVICES
2109 Ottawa Street, Suite 401
Windsor, Ontario, N8Y 1R8
Tel: (519) 254-2112
Fax: (519) 254-0093
Email: probgamb@wrh.on.ca

All of our services are professional, confidential, bilingual and free. They include:

Crisis Intervention

Assessment

Individual and group counselling

Multi-disciplinary referrals

Aftercare and follow-up

Family workshops

Community education and support

Professional development

To subscribe or write to ‘The Chase’, contact us using the above information and leave us your name and phone number for verification purposes.

ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE
1-888-230-3505 (24 hours)
Province wide referral assistance.
You can place a free, confidential call ANYTIME

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
24 HOUR HOTLINE (519) 971-5215 www.gamblersanonymous.org

PROBLEM GAMBLING RESEARCH GROUP
University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor, ONT N9B 3P4
253-3000 Ext. 3709
www.uwindsor.ca/pgrg

I suppose that gambling has always been sewn into the fabric of our society in one-way or another. Who hasn’t thought of being rich instantly? Lets face it, who hasn’t dreamt about winning the lottery and trying to figure out how to spend all that money while day dreaming. Seems innocent enough to dream, doesn’t it?

I’m sure that many are aware that problem gambling exists, much like we are aware of alcoholism or drug addictions. Television has taught us what to expect from drug addicts or alcoholics. I wonder how many of us are aware to what extent people will go to feed a gambling problem?

As a Staff Sergeant with the Windsor Police Service I read reports daily on what affects our community. Unfortunately, the seedier side of people’s lives takes up too much of our time and efforts. “Career Criminals” make a living out of being just that. We also deal with other forms of community problems, such as gambling addictions. This problem can and does lead stable, responsible “good people” to go down a path that brings them and eventually their families and friends, face to face with their worst nightmares.

By the time the Police are involved someone’s gambling problem is already way out of hand. Anywhere from multi-million dollar internal company thefts and innovative frauds being perpetrated on an unsuspecting public, to the clearing out of grandmother’s bank account by siblings. All to support someone’s gambling addiction. A few things are always common. Always, the intention to pay it all back seems to be the justification for stealing the money when the gambler needs refueling. The big pay off is coming with the next bet. It’s a sure thing, can’t lose. The thought of paying back seems to go on and on until the aggrieved can’t take it any more, or the cash runs out and Police become involved; the latter scenario being the usual. The payback never seems to come in any form other than pain and anguish at the expense of loved ones.

As police investigators, we have witnessed families ripped apart as the direct result of gambling addictions. Rent money or the grocery money is gone. Car payments missed or other financial commitments disregarded. That’s just the financial end of some gambling addictions. Most of the real problems experienced come in the form of increased family pressures. These pressures sometimes lead to violence and often to assaultive behavior in the family. Disbelief, heartache and embarrassment, all seem to be components involved in the life of many addicted gamblers. Often when others find out about the problem it’s “ I can’t believe it.”

Too often, their problem becomes one for the Police. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s already too late for the family. Believe it!

Staff Sergeant J. Brannagan
Special Services Branch
Windsor Police Service

Navigation