The following list of resources and programs has been funded by the government of Ontario as part of the province’s problem gambling strategy.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Problem Gambling Project
(416) 535-8501 x4253
The Problem Gambling Project is the professional awareness and educational component of Ontario’s government-funded problem gambling strategy. This program provides training and supportive resources to Ontario’s designated problem gambling treatment services. The Project also collaborates with allied professional systems on the development and dissemination of customized materials, tools and training events that support their efforts to be of assistance to people affected by problem gambling. Some of the allied professional groups the PGP has worked with include financial counsellors, the correctional system, health care workers and ethnoracial counsellors. A collaborative process is utilized to ensure that specific needs are identified and that training and resources are appropriately adapted to each system.
The Project has produced a number of comprehensive resources for professionals, including this Guide for Helping Professionals and a Guide for Financial Counsellors. The following resources for people affected by problem gambling are also available free of charge and can be viewed online:
Problem Gambling: The Issues the Options—for people experiencing problems with gambling.
Problem Gambling: A Guide for Families—for family members of people experiencing problems with gambling.
Both of these handbooks are intended to encourage self-reflection and to provide information about options. They can be used in preparation for, or as an adjunct to, specialized counselling. For further information about our training and resources, please call (416) 535-8501 x4253 or e-mail Problem_GamblingProject@camh.net.
DATIS (Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Information System)
A CAMH affiliated program, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Responsible for the on-going development and maintenance of a comprehensive, province-wide client information system.
1-800-575-6893
datis_staff@camh.net
www.datis.ca
Journal of Gambling Issues
www.camh.net/egambling/
The Journal of Gambling Issues (JGI) offers an Internet-based forum for peer-reviewed articles on research, treatment and policy. There are also service profiles of innovative treatment centres, first-person accounts of gambling experiences, reviews (books, videos, Web sites) and letters to the editor. The JGI publishes articles about gambling as a social phenomenon and about the prevention and treatment of gambling problems; our aim is to help make sense of how gambling affects us all. Copies and subscriptions are free through the Web site.
Niagara Multilingual Prevention/Education Problem Gambling Program, Addiction Services, Hotel Dieu Hospital
www.gamb-ling.com
(905) 682-6411 x3849
This program is specifically designed to serve members of ethno-cultural communities and their families, as well as service providers and other professionals in the Niagara region.
The Web site contains linguistically and culturally appropriate information, a confidential e-mail question and answer forum, and links to other related sites. Information is provided in the following 11 languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Urdu.
1 866 gamb-sos (1 866 4262-767) is a 24-hour confidential information line. It provides prevention and education assistance in all languages offered at the Web site, except English.
The program provides gambling and problem gambling information/ awareness sessions for ethno-cultural communities, social service providers, financial/legal sector and ESL classes, and also has an Info-Centre with multilingual problem gambling educational resources and materials.
All services are culturally and linguistically appropriate, free and confidential.
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
1 888 230-3505
www.opgh.on.ca
The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (OPGH) is an information and referral service available to members of the public, including problem gamblers, family and friends of problem gamblers, and service providers working with clients experiencing problems related to gambling. The OPGH is designed to link callers with problem gambling services in the province of Ontario. It is a free, confidential and anonymous service. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. OPGH provides information in over 140 languages. It also gives referrals to:
- treatment and counselling services for problem gambling
- credit and debt counselling services
- telephone-counselling services if they are available in your community
- self-help organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.
Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre
www.gamblingresearch.org
1 877 882-2204
An arms-length agency that provides funding for research on problem gambling, increases the capacity in Ontario to conduct research on gambling problems and disseminates research findings. Funds are also available to assist end-users with the incorporation of research results into practice.
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
www.responsiblegambling.org
1 888 391-1111
A non-profit organization that works with people and communities to address gambling in a healthy and responsible way. The Council undertakes research and public awareness programs designed to prevent gambling-related problems. The Web site provides an e-library of resource materials, information on awareness programs, Discovery Conferences and Symposia, links to counselling and support services in Ontario, and other related sites. The Web site also provides access to Newslink, a newsletter that provides an ongoing and convenient summary of trends, issues and various views on problem and responsible gambling, and Newscan, a weekly e-mail digest of gambling news.
YMCA Youth Gambling Project
www.ymcatoronto.org/gambling
1 877 525-5515 x4039
The Youth Gambling Program is a prevention and education program designed to reduce the harm associated with youth gambling. Its Web site provides contact information for the 18 Ontario communities that it serves.
Other Services
Community Information Centres (CICs)
Dial 0 for the operator or try dialing 211
www.informontario.on.ca
CICs are not-for-profit groups that gather information on local government services, community services and social services. These include crisis services, shelters and counselling. Call the operator to see if there is a Community Information Centre in your area.
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
(416) 408-4420
www.cleo.on.ca
CLEO is a not-for-profit legal information service. It provides easy to understand printed information on legal issues such as creditor harassment, family law and landlord/tenant issues.
Compulsive Gamblers Hub
www.cghub.homestead.com
An Internet self-help group, based on Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon and Gam-Ateen
(416) 366-7613
www.gam-anon.org
Gam-Anon offers peer support to family members and friends of people with gambling problems. It helps them cope, stop blaming themselves for the person’s gambling problems, and focus on their own health and well-being.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
(416) 366-7613
www.gamblersanonymous.org
GA is available in many communities. Based on Alcoholics Anonymous, GA uses a 12-step self-help approach to recovery.
GamBlock
www.gamblock.com
Gamblock blocks access to Internet gambling sites. It helps people with gambling problems avoid the dangers of online gambling.
Help Lines and Distress Centres
Call the operator or check the list of emergency numbers in the front of your telephone book for the distress centre or help line in your area.
Kids Help Phone
1 800 668-6868
www.kidshelp.sympatico.ca
A free, 24-hour telephone support and information line for children and youth. Available in French and English.
Lawyer Referral Services (LRS)
General Referral: 1 800 268-8326
http://www.lsuc.on.ca/index_en.html
LRS will give you the names of lawyers (including those who accept legal aid) in your area who will provide a free half-hour consultation. A fee is billed to your telephone number. You can use the crisis line free of charge if you are calling from hospital or jail, if you are under 18, or if you are homeless or in crisis.
Legal Aid Ontario
1 800 668-8258
www.legalaid.on.ca
Legal Aid may be able to help you pay for legal help if you have a low income. If you qualify, you can get financial help for a variety of legal problems, including criminal matters, family law, and immigration and refugee law. You may also be able to get help with some civil cases and final appeals.
Parent Help Line
1 888 603-9100
www.parentsinfo.sympatico.ca
A free, 24-hour telephone support and information line for parents. Available in French and English.
Suggested Reading
Berman, L. & Siegel, M. (1999). Behind the 8 Ball: A Guide for Families of Gamblers. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Blaszczynski, A. (1998). Overcoming Compulsive Gambling: A Self-help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques. London, England: Constable & Robinson.
Blaszczynski, A. (2000). Pathways to Pathological Gambling: Identifying Typologies. eGambling: The electronic journal of gambling issues.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Problem Gambling Project, (2003). Problem Gambling: A Guide for Families. Call 1 888 647-4414.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Problem Gambling Project, (2003). Problem Gambling: The Issues, The Options. Call 1 888 647-4414.
Ladouceur, R., Silvain, C., Boutin, C. & Doucet, C. (2002). Understanding and Treating the Pathological Gambler. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Little, D. (2002). Losing Mariposa: The Memoir of a Compulsive Gambler. Toronto: ecw Press.
National Council on Problem Gambling (2000). Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers
Prochaska, J., Norcross, J. & Diclemente C. (1995). Changing for Good. Morrow, William & Company.