As sports fans take a short respade until the Sweet 16 tips off Thursday in the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament, sports bettors are tallying up their wins and losses from a long weekend of March Madness.
Today also marks seven days remaining until Problem Gambling Awareness month in both the U.S. and Canada conclude their intense campaigns to combat and deal with problem gambling and addiction across both borders.
If you think you have a gambling problem, there are tools and ways to get help across Canada. The Ontario government sets aside a portion of the money taken by slot machines at charity casinos and racetracks. This money pays for: a problem gambling helpline, counselling, research, and education about gambling for the public and for mental health professionals.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has also created a 36-page document entitled Problem Gambling:
The Issues, the Options which details over five sections > What Is Gambling?, What Is Problem Gambling?, The Effects of Gambling, Getting Help and Where to Find Help.
Ontario Statistics from 2023-24
Ontario Statistics from 2023-24
* Ontarians wagered an impressive $63 billion across various gambling platforms, marking a substantial 78% increase from the previous year, with total gaming revenue reached $2.4 billion, up 72% from the previous fiscal year.
* Number of active player accounts rose to 1.3 million in the final quarter of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, highlighting a growing interest and participation in online gambling.
* Online casino games revenue was also high, contributing $1.8 billion to the total gaming revenue, with significant contributions also coming from betting and peer-to-peer poker​.
Helplines in Canada (Confidential and open 24 hours a day)
Here are some numbers - thanks to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse - that can help you should you seek it:
British Columbia Problem Gambling Information and Referral Service: 1-888-795-6111
Manitoba Gambling Helpline: 1-800-463-1554
New Brunswick Problem Gamblers Hotline: 1-800-461-1234
Newfoundland and Labrador Helpline: 1-888-899-4357
Nova Scotia Toll-Free Gambling Helpline: 1-888-347-8888
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-230-3505
Prince Edward Island Gambling Addiction Treatment Program: 1-888-299-8399
Québec Gambling Help and Referral >
Montreal and surrounding area (514) 527-0140; throughout province 1-800-461-0140 and 1-866-767-5389
Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-306-6789
