Gambling has rapidly become an acceptable and regular part of our society. Winning lottery numbers are drawn live on television. Odds on sports events, results from horse races and advertising for casinos are carried daily in our newspapers. Billboards, TV and radio ads all communicate the availability of gambling. Yes there is even an occasional ad or poster announcing a hotline number to call for help with a gambling problem. Gambling has become a daily part of our lives.

For many people, gambling joins boating, biking, fishing, exercising, reading, traveling and attending movies, plays concerts and sporting events as a favorite recreational activity. But many of these activities involve some level of risk. Safe boating requires the use of a life jacket. Safe traveling requires use of seat belts. Even reading for pleasure requires good lighting to reduce eye strain.

For most people gambling is a social or recreational activity, something that is fun and entertaining. But for others, gambling causes problems. 15% of Alberta's teenagers are at risk of becoming problem gamblers and 8% are already addicted to gambling.

Compare that with 4.8% of Alberta adults who are currently problem or compulsive gamblers. For these people gambling is no longer a choice, but a necessity. Problem or compulsive gambling is not just a bad habit, but rather it becomes a life threatening disorder. About 20% of compulsive gamblers attempt suicide. Problem gambling destroys families, friendships and careers. Bills go unpaid. Basic needs like money for food and rent are neglected. Most problem gamblers will need help to change their gambling behavior.

Recreational gambling requires an understanding of the characteristics of low-risk gambling, as well as the signs of a gambling problem. People who choose to gamble also need to anticipate risks and take action to reduce or eliminate the risks as much as possible.

For the large number of people who regularly gamble, there are a few generally accepted guidelines for low-risk gambling to keep in mind:

• Low risk gamblers know that over time nearly everyone loses.
• Low-risk gambling is done socially, with family, friends or colleagues, not alone.
• Low-risk gambling is done for limited amounts of time, both in frequency and duration.
• Low-risk gambling always has predetermined acceptable limits for losses.

There are a number of signs that might indicate someone's gambling is beginning to reach a problematic level.

• Denying there is a problem
• Spending more and more time and money gambling
• Lying about where the money is going
• Borrowing money to gamble or pay off debts
• Skipping school or taking time off work to gamble
• Losing touch with friends
• Looking for the "high" that comes from gambling.