Gambling and the Workplace

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Gambling and the Workplace

• Presenter
• Gary Hoskins

2
Objectives

• Participants will learn
• How gambling impacts the workplace
• Strategies for creating a healthy workplace
• The role of health practitioners in this emerging
  health issue
• How to access available resources

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Gambling and the Workplace

• Ontario has experienced a huge expansion of
  gambling
• More and more people are experiencing problems
  related to gambling
• Workplaces are negatively affected through
  lateness, absenteeism, illness, theft and more
• Employers need to be aware of the issue and
  provide education and support to their employees.
  

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Gambling and the Workplace

• 2/3 of pathological gamblers commit crimes to pay
  off debt
• More than 1/3 of pathological gamblers report
  stealing up to 5,000 from their employers
• 14 of problem gamblers reported skipping entire
  days form work in order to gamble
• It is estimated that pathological gamblers cost
  their employers 5 hours a month in late time

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Ontarios Gaming Marketplace

• Casinos ( commercial and charity )
• Slots at Racetracks
• Lotteries
• Horse racing
• BigLink Bingo and local bingo halls
• Internet

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Types of Workplace Gambling

• Office Pools
• Telephone Betting
• Internet Gambling
• Spread Betting (Football)
• Cards
• Pyramid Schemes

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Responsible Gambling

• 63 of adults in Ontario gamble
• Most gamble responsibly

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Responsible Gambling

• Set financial and time limits
• Use gambling as a form of entertainment
• Participate in other activities
• Keep relationships from being affected
• Have personal control

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Definition of Problem Gambling

• If someone has a gambling problem, it means he or
  she has a patterned gambling behaviour that may
  compromise, disrupt or damage family, personal or
  vocational pursuits.

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Problem Gambling in Context

• 3.4 (332,000) of adults in Ontario have a
  moderate to severe gambling problem
• The highest rates of gambling problems (6.9) is
  among young adults aged 18-24.
• Individuals with severe gambling problems
  represent the group with the largest expenditure
  levels.
• Problem gambling is linked to a host of public
  health and social issues

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Gambling Activity
Continuum perspective
Harmful Involvement
(relief and escape)
Casual Social
Serious Social
Pathological
Non-Gamblers
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Risk Factors For Gambling In The Workplace

• Work stress, boredom
• Unsupervised time
• Work conferences in gambling venues
• Lunchtime gambling spilling over into work time
• Socially condoned/ institutionalised employer
  based gambling

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Why People Might Develop Gambling Problems

• Gambling provides an escape
• They have underlying problems
• Theyve experienced a big win early
• Their beliefs are irrational
• Experiencing feelings of self-worth associated
  with success at gambling

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Ripple Effects of Problem Gambling
GAMBLER
FAMILY
COMMUNITY
Workplace
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Impact on the Workplace

• Fatigue and stress
• Decreased productivity
• Occupational health and safety issues
• Decreased morale of other employees
• Workplace crime
• Employer liabilities
• Loss of business due to bankruptcy

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Impact on the Employee

• Loss of employment security
• Creditability in workplace
• Disciplinary/Legal action
• Loss of financial security
• Problem/addiction disclosure
• Impacts on future employment
• Exacerbation of related disorders
  anxiety/depression
• Impacts on family

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Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem in the
Workplace

• Regularly discussing gambling
• Organizing lottery pools or sports pools
  
• Borrowing money from co-workers
• Requesting pay advances
• Swinging between being broke and flush
• Taking unexplained long breaks

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Signs and Indicators of Problem Gambling

• Financial cues
• Emotional cues
• Time cues
• Behavioral cues

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Why A Gambling Policy?

• Health of the individual
• Work Environment
• Potential for accidents

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Gambling Policy Should.

• Involve a range of responses
• Involve participation from various stakeholders.
• Be sensitive to the current gambling norm(s)
• Link to existing health policies

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Gambling Policy Should

• Inform employees, especially human resources and
  occupational health staff
• Provide regular training on problem gambling to
  managers and supervisors
• Have local problem gambling service information
  available to all employees

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Strategies for Healthy Workplace

• Block Internet gambling sites www.gamblock.com
• Keep accurate records on workplace performance
• Include gambling information in financial
  services for employees
• Be aware of situations that may lead to the
  development of a gambling problem and how to
  avoid them

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Strategies for Healthy Workplace

• Implement programs that decrease the
  vulnerability of shift workers and staff on the
  road e.g.. accountability for time
• Ensure staff have access to recreational
  facilities during breaks
• Endeavour to organize social events at places
  other than casinos or racing tracks

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For Discussion

• Do we as health professionals have a role to
  play
• In the development of gambling and workplace
  policies?
• In the provision of information and education to
  employers as well as employees?

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Provincial Treatment Services

• 50 MOHLTC Funded Problem Gambling Treatment
  Agencies in Ontario
• Self-referral and individual counselling
• Some agencies offer phone and/or group
  counselling
• Family can attend without problem gambler
• Residential treatment

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Provincial Resources

• Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (24-hour
  referral) 1-888-230-3505
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  www.problemgambling.ca
• Responsible Gambling Council www.responsiblegambli
  ng.org
• Ontario Association of Credit Counselling
  Services 1-888-746-3328
  www.oaccs.com