Gambling In Canada

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Pages: 6

Is it worth the gamble… literally? Statistically, in 2010, the gambling industry in Canada was worth over $15 billion dollars (Derek Miedeva)! That means that thousands of Canadians gamble each month. High traffic gambling is contained within a casino, consisting of slot machines, poker tables, etc. Another way to gamble includes buying lottery tickets or making a bet with a friend. People who gamble take chances. Most times they take a chance involving money or tangible objects where each can either be won or taken away. Gambling is seen as a fun way to spend the evening, when truly gambling has become an everyday problem for those who become dependent. The media continuously brings attention to the public, when someone has won the million …show more content…
Firstly, an average of 85% of adult Canadians gambles (Canadian Gaming Association). Because of the high quantity of gamblers, most of the goods and services needed to sustain operations are now producing in Canada, and a number of Canadian companies export gaming related products and services internationally. Gaming in Canada supports approximately 135,000 full-time jobs, having more than 267,000 jobs including indirect and induced impacts (Canadian Gaming Association). The jobs created can vary from machine engineers to lottery ticket sales people to vendors. In a gambling world where money is leaving, the ability to create jobs allows for companies and people to make a profit. Another benefit provided by the gambling industry in Canada directly impacts the Government and charities. Of the $15.3 billion of revenues generating by the industry in 2006, the Government and charities received almost $8.7 billion, having the majority of these proceeds spent annually to support priority areas and charities all across Canada (Canadian Gaming …show more content…
Although the entertainment of gambling may lead to an addiction, there are specific precaution notices displayed to prevent the gambler from going overboard. Examples include on-machine display and programming features, responsible gaming kiosks, self-exclusion programs, advertising guidelines, public education, in-house training and social responsibility assessments (Canadian Gaming Association). These programs are from the province’s share of gaming revenues. Based on the most recent Canadian Gambling Digest (2004-2005 report prepared by the Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling), Canadian provinces currently spend $74.3 million dollars on problem gambling treatment, research and awareness prevention initiatives (Canadian Gaming Association). This makes people feel secure when they choose to gamble because the programs provide assistance, if needed, when the situation becomes overwhelming. The implementation of gambling programs can convince society that it is okay to gamble in moderation and reminds society that gambling is a form of