Responsible Gambling Council - RGC

Responsible Gambling Council - RGC The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling.

Sports betting and online gambling are more accessible than ever. So how do we talk to young people about the risks with...
05/27/2026

Sports betting and online gambling are more accessible than ever. So how do we talk to young people about the risks without judgment or fear?

Tonight, join RGC and the Community Healing Project through the City of Toronto from 7:00-8:30 PM for a free virtual session on gambling harm prevention.

We’ll be answering your questions about sports betting, online gambling and its impact on youth, warning signs to look for, and sharing practical guidance on how to start supportive conversations that matter.

Register to gain practical strategies and insights to support the young people in your life: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-gambling-harm-prevention-a-virtual-workshop-for-youths-and-parents-tickets-1987541769937?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/19/2026

"I really love being in a position of helping people," - Tim Hawkes, PlaySmart Advisor.

The work that makes a difference usually happens in the small moments. A question answered. A safe conversation over a warm cup of coffee. A person who takes the time to listen.

PlaySmart is there to support players and provide access to information, support, and a listening ear when they need it.

Explore PlaySmart Centres: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play/locate-a-playsmart-centre?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=psc20&utm_content=sizzle

Sometimes gambling stops being fun and starts feeling like something else. Stress. Tension. The urge to bet again to mak...
05/08/2026

Sometimes gambling stops being fun and starts feeling like something else. Stress. Tension. The urge to bet again to make up for a loss.

If any of that sounds familiar, we want you to know that noticing it is a genuine first step. A lot of people don't pause long enough to recognize when their enjoyment has shifted into something that doesn't feel as good anymore.

It doesn't have to reach a crisis point for it to be worth addressing. Whether you want to set firmer limits, take a break for a while, or talk to someone, support is available and there's no wrong time to reach out.

🔗 Find resources and tools at: https://responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play

Do you recognize the early warning signs of problem gambling? The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey reports 8...
05/07/2026

Do you recognize the early warning signs of problem gambling?

The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey reports 8% of students have reported betting money on an online game in the past year. Another 16% participated in other gambling activities such as card games or scratch cards.

Research shows a strong correlation between mental health difficulties and gambling problems. Gambling often makes these challenges worse, creating a harmful cycle that’s difficult to break.

Recognize the warning signs:
・ Skipping classes or work to gamble
・ Spending less time with friends or avoiding family events to gamble
・ Lying about how much time and money is spent gambling
・ Having increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial problems due to gambling
・ Borrowing and/or selling personal items, or stealing, to get money to gamble
・ Experiencing extreme highs from wins, and extreme lows from losses
・ Using gambling as a way to earn money

Visit https://responsiblegambling.org/parents/its-time-to-start-the-conversation/ for more information on how to start the conversation.



[Boak, A., & Hamilton, H. A. (2024). The mental health and well-being of Ontario students,
1991–2023: Findings from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.]

Those feelings are worth paying attention to. Noticing them isn't a weakness. It's the first step toward making a dif...
05/06/2026

Those feelings are worth paying attention to.

Noticing them isn't a weakness. It's the first step toward making a different choice. You've got options. And recognizing that your time, wallet, or relationships are being affected is how you start using your options.

You can find support and tools at: https://responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play

04/07/2026

Know when to make a change.

If gambling's been cutting into your time, your wallet, or your relationships, maybe it's time to take a break.

Make a change at www.ChangeYourPlay.ca

04/02/2026

Today, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) unveiled their 2026 Young Adult Intervention PSA campaign with the goal of helping people make informed and safer gambling choices.

Learn more in my statement below.

03/23/2026

🏒🏀 Knowing the Game Doesn’t Mean Knowing the Odds

With major sporting events like March Madness, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and FIFA tournaments capturing fans’ attention, sports betting has become a common way many people engage with the excitement.

But experts warn that one popular type of wager — parlay betting — is often misunderstood.

Parlays combine multiple picks into a single bet, promising larger payouts. The catch? Every selection must win. Even if you get four out of five picks correct, the entire bet is lost. As more selections are added, the odds of winning drop dramatically, even if each pick seems reasonable.

According to the Responsible Gambling Council, many bettors assume that deep knowledge of sports gives them an edge. In reality, betting outcomes remain fundamentally unpredictable, and the belief that expertise guarantees success is known as the “illusion of control.”

Research shows sports bettors experience gambling harm at twice the rate of the general gambling population, with young men aged 18–34 at particularly higher risk.

Experts recommend simple steps for safer betting:
✔️ Set a budget before the game begins
✔️ Avoid chasing losses
✔️ Consider single bets instead of parlays
✔️ Avoid betting while drinking

At the end of the day, sports betting should remain entertainment — not a financial strategy.

As the Responsible Gambling Council reminds fans: go in with a plan, and you’ll enjoy the game even more when it’s over.

Responsible Gambling Council - RGC

03/11/2026

Have you ever put together a 15-leg parlay, missed by just one or two games, and thought: "I'm so close, I can beat this"?

It's easy to see why. Every pick you add watches the potential payout climb. It feels like you're using your sports knowledge to get an edge.

But here's the thing: every single pick has to win. All of them. One loss anywhere in the chain and the whole thing is gone, no matter how many you got right. Missing by one isn't a sign that you're about to win the next one -- it's just how the math is designed.

Knowing the game and knowing the odds are two different things. Knowing the difference is part of playing it smart.

Find support and tools: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/safer-play

Big Game Night at Island Mix is a short-form video series created by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) in collaboration with Caribbean Vibrations TV Ltd. Filmed in a casual restaurant setting during a major sports moment, the series captures an honest, unscripted conversation about sports betting -- how it feels, why it's appealing, and where confidence can blur into risk. Through real talk and differing perspectives, the videos invite viewers to reflect on their own betting mindset and consider what safer play looks like.

Watch the full video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yvmii0pX7s&list=PLBJEW8hy-z51xtZ6oElk4q8hJYyRsfW1w

BigGame

Some of our Preventions team was at Canada’s Mental Health Leadership Forum earlier this month. We made great connection...
02/18/2026

Some of our Preventions team was at Canada’s Mental Health Leadership Forum earlier this month. We made great connections with some of Canada’s respected top leaders in mental health, substance use and addictions.

There were excellent talks ranging from systems change, leadership approaches in divided spaces, and independent rights advocacy. It was a fantastic event to learn and meet new people.

Thanks to Spark conferences for organizing the conference so well.

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