From Poker Table to Trustee’s Office -...

Copyright 2010 – BC Responsible Gambling Strategy Slide 1

Problem Gambling Help Line1-888-795-6111For residents of British ColumbiaToll-free – 24 hours a day

British ColumbiaResponsible Gambling StrategyGambling information and resources for residents of BC

From Poker Table to Trustee’s Office

Shannon Simms, M.A., CCCKuldip Gill, M.Ed, RCC


Gambling …

• … is any experience involving a wagering, risking or betting of money or other valuables (home, jewellery, art, etc.) on an activity of chance (unpredictable outcome) where money or valuables may be won or lost.


Why, Why, Why?

FunEntertainmentEscapeTo win moneyTo “donate”


Responsible/Social Gambling• Hope to win but expect to

lose – you pay to play• Set financial and time

limits• Don’t borrow money to

gamble• Leave bank cards and

credit cards at home• Pocket your winnings


Social/Responsible Gambling• Take frequent breaks

while gambling• Don’t neglect personal

responsibilities to gamble• Go with a friend and wear

a watch• Choose gambling as only

one entertainment option


Problem Gambling

…is commonly used to indicate all gambling behaviour patterns which compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family, or vocational pursuit.

Social ProblemNo

ModerateHigh

Pathological


Signs of Problem Gambling?• Gambling for longer periods of time• Chasing losses • Neglecting family/personal needs• Growing debt from gambling• Borrowing or stealing money to

gamble• Emotional swings affected by the

gambling behaviour• Absences from work, school,

activities to gamble• Gambling to escape daily pressures

• Lying about the extent of gambling

• Developing erroneous beliefs

• Feeling a loss of control• Other addictions

develop or worsen


Phases of Gambling• Winning phase• Losing phase• Desperation phase• Hopelessness phase


Life AreasLeisure

Mental Health

PhysicalHealth

Work orSchoolFinancial

EmotionalHealth

Friends

Family

What impact might problem gambling have on a person’s

life?


Problem Gambling & Finances

• Current stats indicate gambling is a $13 Billion Dollar (per year) industry in Canada; Fiscal 2014/15 in BC (most recent Annual Report), total gambling revenue was $2.9 Billion, net revenue delivered by BCLC to the province of BC was $1.25 Billion dollars

Brief Survey of the current research:• Canadian Survey, 2012 by Responsible Gambling Council: 30% of problem

gamblers reported debt between $75,000 & $150,000 • Wisconsin Problem Gambling Helpline Survey in 2016: Average debt of

caller was $47,000• USA Today Article, Jan 2017: average debt of problem gambler $38,000 • Estimate: $50,000 – $90,000 is average debt of a problem gambler


The Person who Gambles, sitting in front of you

• Many problem gamblers first seek help as a result of a financial crisis, the consultation with the Trustee may be their first step in acknowledging the reality of the problem, or a much later step in their recovery journey.

• The Trustee/Estate Administrator is not expected to diagnose or treat a gambling problem, and the decision to address the problem rests with the client, you can however play a vital role in preventing future harm and working as an ‘Allied Professional’ with the counselling services (‘shared-care approach’):

• Linking the client to PG counselling/services – knowing what services are available and the people involved (ideally), negotiate quick response to referral requests, sharing briefly what to expect in general from the counselling process – helping manage client expectation/fear

• Helping the client gain insight into how gambling has to contributed to his/her financial situation and how continued gambling is likely to make the situation worse


How You Can Help

• Helping the client solve financial concerns that may be a source of pressure, thereby reducing triggers/motivations to gamble – showing them there is another way out of debt, that doesn’t involve winning their money back.

How You Can Help:• Make it a routine practise to ask about gambling with every person seeking your

assistance• Establish a rapport that provides a safe and supportive environment that will invite

disclosure and motivate change • Asking key exploratory questions as part of the initial assessment process – what do you

do for fun/entertainment, how much money/time do you spend on these activities; assume people gamble: how often do you play Bingo, buy lottery tickets/scratch and wins, or gamble at a casino or online; you can ask how much money won/lost but this likely won’t be accurate; ask about debts to family, friends, co-workers, employer,


Clues that can lead to more Inquiry Questions:

• Frequent clues that gambling may be a problem: frequent/consistent cash advances; income and expenses do not add up – income looks sufficient to cover expenses, debt level can’t be explained; history of good financial management and debt has appeared suddenly (especially seniors)

• If clients do not disclose problems with gambling, but the numbers do not add up and your ‘spidey senses’ are tingling, gentle inquiry questions:

1. “As I go over the financial information you’ve provided, the numbers don’t seem to add up, can you help me understand what’s missing’

2. ‘Sometimes recreational gambling uses up more money than people realize and they are uncomfortable sharing this information, could this be the case for you?’

3. ‘Sometimes, people in financial situations similar to yours are involved with gambling, does this fit for you?’

4. ‘Could the spending habits of someone else in your household be impacting your finances?’


Building Awareness of Problem in People who Disclose Gambling

Common screening questions: 1. Do you ever lie about your gambling, or hide it from people you care about 2. Do you ever gamble more than you are comfortable with, or can afford to lose3. Do you ever feel guilty about the way you gamble, or what happens when you gamble.

Motivational Interviewing Questions:1. If you decided to make a change, what may be the benefits of changing this behaviour

and the costs of not changing it2. If you decide not to make a change, how much worse do you think this could get 3. How important do you feel it is to change this behaviour / how confident are you it can

be changed - this question can be a segue into sharing the counselling resources that exist, if importance is high but confidence is low, and people could use support as they start the process of making change


How Can Counselling Help ?

• Building awareness of relationship with gambling – guiding client in minimizing harm from gambling

• Regain control over gambling – whether that’s controlled gambling, or abstinence, the decision rests with the client

• Managing triggers/urges – understanding motivations for gambling and coping with stressors in a more effective way

• Heal family relationships – understand problem development, rebuild trust, or deal with impact of relationship breakdown

• Restore balance – return to or create wellness routines, rewarding lifestyle choices• Relapse Prevention Planning • Link client to other support services - problem gambling can co-occur with other

addictions (alcohol, drugs, sex) and mental health challenges (depression, anxiety)


My lucky charm will help me win.The ‘hot’ slots are placed near the door.

I feel lucky. I’m due for a win.

If I keep playing, I can win back what I’ve lost so far.

I can learn a system that will beat the odds.

The more I play, the better I’ll get.


ResourcesFree Counselling:Individual, couples, family, day treatment, and group counselling available.All services are free and confidential. Multilingual services available.

Education:Presentations, workshops, information and training for all age groups.

Website: www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-795-6111 (free anywhere in BC)Available 24 hours/ day, 7 days per week. Currently available in 13 languages.

BC Casinos and Community Gaming CentresVoluntary Self-exclusion (6 mos, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year options)Game Sense Advisors

Community Resources: GA, Gam-Anon; Licensed Insolvency Trustees


Resources (Con’t)• Centre for Addiction & Mental Health - ‘A Guide for Financial Counsellors’:

problemgambling.ca/resources for professionals

• Gambler’s Anonymous 20 Questions: gamblersanonymous.org • Canadian Problem Gambling Index: found at problemgambling.ca

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (formerly Phone Busters):antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

• Competition Bureau -‘Little Black Book of Scams’: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca


Thank You!

Questions?

Comments?

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