Good
habits
will make you a winner!

Discover the essential tips and tricks that help the game stay a game and you'll start winning away from the table too.

Responsible gambling behaviour can start at any age. Talk to your teen about making sure the game stays a game.

Les 8 trucs gagnants des joueurs responsables

  1. Set a financial limit in relation to your budget and stick to it.
  2. Ask yourself if you find it difficult to resist the urge to gamble, or if you have a hard time sitting out for a round during a game.
  3. Make sure you are not playing as a way of avoiding other problems: a game is supposed to be entertaining, not therapeutic.
  4. Take a moment to calculate your gains and losses: this can help you to stay within your limit.
  5. If you find yourself lying about gains and losses, this is a sign that the game is no longer a game for you.
  6. Never borrow money to gamble with, and avoid gambling money budgeted for essentials.
  7. Don't continue to play after losing money in an effort to win it back: you risk losing even more.
  8. Be realistic: no matter what game you're playing, the main factor is chance!

BE A
WINNER
AT ANY AGE

What useful advice can you give your teen?

  • You can’t control the element of chance. That means it is not possible to control games of chance.
  • You run a greater risk of losing money than winning money.
  • Before you play, set your limit in proportion to your overall budget and stick to it.
  • The probability of losing money is greater than the probability of winning it, so chances are you will lose money.
  • If it ever becomes difficult to resist the temptation to play, talk to someone and get help.
  • Gambling is not a solution for stress or personal problems.
  • The risks and consequences of excessive gambling are similar to those of drug or alcohol addiction.

How do you know if your teen is at risk?

  • He or she shows a new interest in gambling.
  • He or she has friends who regularly play games of chance for real stakes, such as poker.
  • He or she often behaves impulsively.
  • He or she is having trouble at school.
  • He or she has a low self-esteem and is desperate for social acceptance (i.e., wants to be popular).
  • He or she has a lot of difficulty managing stress and resolving personal problems.
  • He or she seems obsessed by the outcomes of sporting events.
  • He or she spends many hours alone in front of the computer.
  • Other members of your family gamble frequently.
How should you raise the issue?
  • Choose the right moment. The subject should come up naturally, for example after an advertisement or program dealing with the subject, if your teen brings it up, or after a friend or a family member discusses their gains and losses.
  • Ask questions. Let your teen talk about gambling: what they think, what attracts them to it, what they don’t like. Listen and initiate discussion.
  • Share your misgivings and opinions. You should give your teen a chance to express themselves, but make sure you clearly communicate your point of view.