The high cost of pathological gambling
Since the early 1990s permanent casinos have been springing up in communities all across Canada. Our government has relaxed its views on gambling and made it much more accessible to adults everywhere. In more recent years this has expanded to include government-run online gambling portals as well.
With this increase in availability has come an increase in the number of problem and pathological gamblers and media attention surrounding the potential problems arising from gambling.
People with addictions to gambling experience an impulse control disorder where there is persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour. The addicted gamble very frequently; often deceive family about their gambling activity; may borrow money in order to continue gambling; or keep returning to gambling in hopes of making back money they have lost in past visits.
Pathological gambling affects roughly 1.5 per cent of Canadians, although the numbers seem to be on the rise as gambling becomes more readily available. An additional 2.5 per cent are considered less severe problem gamblers.