For most people gambling is a leisure activity they enjoy doing once in a while. People play the lottery and bingo, go to a casino, or bet on horse races and sporting events. Proceeds or profits from gambling are often used to fund a charity, non-profit agency, or a community program. Most people who gamble do so without experiencing any related harm. For others it comes with serious risks and health concerns. 

What is gambling?

Gambling is the act of risking money, property, or something of value on an activity that has an uncertain outcome. Gambling takes many forms:

• lottery and scratch tickets
  
• bingo and raffles
  
• casino games – slot machines, table and card games
  
• sports betting
  
• playing games of skill for money
  
• personal bets
  

What is legalized gambling?​

Gambling is recognized as a legal activity in Canada. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) oversees the regulation of gambling in the province of Alberta. Legalized gambling includes casinos, racetracks, bingo and lotteries, and electronic gambling machines (EMG’s). Other forms of gambling include online casinos and sports betting.

What is illegal gambling?

Illegal gambling is gambling that occurs outside of the government regulations. For example, placing a bet with someone who isn't licensed or part of a regulated gambling business (a bookie). Underage gambling is also illegal. In Alberta this is someone younger than 18 years participating in the activity.

Why do people gamble?

Low-risk reasons to gamble:

• a form of fun entertainment
• for excitement
• to feel challenged
• for social interaction

High-risk reasons to gamble:

Do young people gamble?

A little less than half of teens and young adults aged 15 to 24 years have gambled at least once. Studies show that up to 3 out of 10 younger students have also participated in some form of gambling. 

Most regulated gambling activities are illegal for children and teens under 18 years. Young people usually gamble through bets with friends on card games, pool games, or professional sports. 

Online gambling is becoming more accessible, and gambling-like features are now commonly found in video games. Children and teens have a higher exposure and risk of experiencing harm related to gambling.

Is there such a thing as a safe bet?

All gambling carries an element of chance and has some risk. Consider using these guidelines for gambling responsibly:

• Limit the amount of money you bet.
  
• Limit the amount of time you spend betting.
  
• Balance gambling with other social activities and interests.
  
• Don't spend your winnings on gambling.
  
• Avoid gambling alone or as an escape from problems.
  

Most people gamble responsibly. But for some people, gambling can be a lot like an addictive drug—and it can become a problem. 

Often, if you have problems with gambling, you may also have trouble with money, your mental health and wellbeing, and family or relationships. You may often feel guilty and out of control because of your gambling losses.

If you have a gambling problem, you may experience harm such as gambling until all your money is gone, owing money to family and friends, and going into debt to pay for your gambling. 

This kind of financial hardship can significantly impact mental and physical health, along with other areas of your life. Other people you care about can also be affected.

Myths and facts

Many of the phrases we use in our everyday language have roots in gambling. Think of how many times you start a sentence with, "I bet…" Here are a few more examples:

• "The odds are…"
• "It's a sure thing!"
• "a crapshoot."
• "I have an ace in the hole."
  
• "It's a safe bet."
  

You may have used one or more of these phrases yourself. All these common sayings prove that gambling has been around a long time — long enough to have created some myths. 

Here are some popular myths and facts about gambling.

Myth: Gambling is a way to make money.

Fact: More often, gambling is a way to lose money. If you gamble, think of it as a kind of entertainment you have to pay for, just like a movie or dinner with friends. That can help you keep gambling in perspective. If you end up winning some money now and then, it'll be a nice treat instead of something you were depending on.

Myth: People can predict if a coin toss is going to come up heads or tails.

Fact: Each flip of the coin is an independent event. It doesn't matter what came up in the previous flips. The chance of getting heads or tails is the same in a single flip, no matter how many times you flip the coin.

Myth: There are systems that make it easier to predict winning lottery numbers.

Fact: It doesn't matter how you pick the numbers; your odds of winning are always the same. Take a lottery like Lotto 6/49 for example. All the numbers are put into a drum and mixed up. The selection is purely by chance. Each number has the same chance of being selected (a 1 in 49 chance to be exact). Your odds of winning the jackpot with 1 ticket are 1 in 13,983,816.

Myth: Young people don't develop gambling problems.

Fact: Adolescence (ages 10 to 24) is a period when you're highly sensitive to developing gambling problems. Like early life alcohol and substance use, if you're exposed to gambling at a young age you may be at higher risk for gambling-related harm later in life.

Myth: People can usually win their money back if they have a losing streak.

Fact: Not true. Casinos stay in business because most people don't win their money back. Think about it. How long would a casino stay in business if it paid out more money than it took in? The fact is that most gamblers lose far more money than they win in these places.

​For more information and to find an addiction services office near you, call the Addiction Help Line. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.