Gambling is a serious addiction that can cause serious impacts to individuals, families, and workplace credibility.
Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Family and Community Support Services recognizes the threat to individuals’ well-being and have teamed with Recovery Alberta to create Do you Gamble? Both Sides of the Coin.
The workshop will take place on March 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the St. Isidore Cultural Centre.
“FCSS is hosting this presentation because gambling can have significant impacts not only on individuals, but also on families and the broader community,” says FCSS director Amber Houle.
“Ensuring individuals gamble responsibly is important because gambling, while often viewed as entertainment, can carry real financial, emotional, and social risks if it becomes excessive.”
Houle says the workshop will be an interactive and engaging presentation, exploring gambling, its impacts, and practical strategies for maintaining healthy habits.
“While I have no localized statistics, any community where gambling (lotteries, casinos, online betting, VLTs, etc.) is present, can have residents who move from casual play into harmful patterns,” Houle explains.
Do you Gamble? is a session designed specifically for seniors aged 55 and older. Houle says all individuals within this age group are welcome to join.
“The presentation aims to increase awareness about the risks and realities of gambling, promote healthy decision-making and harm prevention strategies, reduce stigma around seeking help, and connect residents to local supports and resources if they or someone they know needs assistance,” Houle says.
“We hope to give participants the knowledge and tools to make informed choices and strengthens both individual and community resilience.”
The session is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Participants can call the St. Isidore FCSS office to register at (780) 624-8071. Houle says pre-registration helps their team plan to have enough materials, snacks, and refreshments available.
“We will define what gambling is, the different types, and how it affects people,” she explains.
“We will also discuss the potential impacts: emotional, financial, social effects, and possible impacts to family and friend dynamics. We will provide gambling strategies like setting limits, making informed choices, and preventing harm, and how to recognize early indicators of a potential problem in yourself or others. We will also share programs and services to help support and overcome gambling tendencies.”
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter