Responsible Gambling Week coming to a close

In Ontario, problem gambling affects one in 10 families and at least 331,000 individuals experience a moderate to severe problem with gambling, according to the Responsible Gaming Council.

Many spend up to one-fifth of their income gambling. In Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin and Sudbury districts, that’s an estimated 5,200 people struggling with the impact on their personal and work relationships, and health and financial issues.

When you add in how problem gambling affects their friends and loved ones, the impact just keeps mounting, said the Council in a news release.

This week is Responsible Gambling Week in the Sudbury area, and the Responsible Gambling Council is trying to bring attention to the issue and the message that you should have no regrets if you choose to gamble.

Gambling, whether it’s spending time at the slots or racetrack, or playing bingo and scratch lottery tickets is entertainment with risk. But people can play safer by planning ahead and following some key tips.

As such, the Council has set up an interactive information booth at various venues around the city. Today, representatives will be set up at Sudbury Downs from 3-9 p.m., then again on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. and noon to 4 p.m., respectively.

Representatives will answer questions, discuss tips for safer gambling and outline the new, free, online Cost2Play Calculator App the RGC has launched this month through their website, www.noregrets.ca, and through the iTunes, Android and Blackberry App stores.

They will also provide additional information about local resources.