92. High Stakes: Why Youth Are at Risk For Gambling Problems and How to Help

Youth gambling is a growing but often overlooked issue with potentially serious consequences. With easy online access, gambling-like features in video games, and an explosion of advertisements for sports betting, young people are exposed to and getting involved with gambling - often without realizing the risks.

Listen to this episode of Fold em to hear:

• How youth are gambling - even when they aren't legally of age
• Why young brains are particularly vulnerable to gambling getting out of control
• How to recognize warning signs of a gambling problem
• Safeguards to protect youth and emerging adults from gambling harms

You hear from three guests. First, Meghan, talks about her own experiences with compulsive gambling and how, as part of her recovery, she's been advocating for more to be done to protect youth and the next generation from gambling harms. Then, you get to hear from two Canadian experts on gambling and the brain. Deirdre Querney, MSW, has worked as a problem gambling counsellor in Ontario for the past twenty-five years. She's joined by Dr. Iris Balodis, who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University where she has a research lab focused on gambling disorder and the brain. Together, Deirdre and Iris developed BrainConnections.ca to share information about how problem gambling affects the brain.

To read a summary of this episode go to the episode 92 blog at gamblingproblemhelp.ca You can also learn more about young brains and video games at BrainConnections.ca. Iris and Deirdre have developed videos and free, downloadable materials.

If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services. Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.

To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:

Canada: click here

United States: National Council on Problem Gambling

United Kingdom: GamCare

Australia: Gamblers' Help

If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.

To connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:

Gamblers Anonymous

Gam-Anon

GamTalk (online chat forum)

Recovery Road Online

Gamblers, Families and Friends in Recovery

The Broke Girl Society

Reach out to us at Fold em through Facebook or Instagram. Find us at Foldem Podcast. You can also send us an email to Foldempodcast@gmail.com. We welcome your feedback.

Fold em is taking a break from releasing further episodes. However, the library of past episodes will continue to be available on all podcast apps as well as on the Fold em website www.problemgamblinghelp.ca.

Thank you for listening and for those of you connected with us and joined an episode.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.