Gambling involves risking something of value for a chance of winning something else of value. Examples of gambling activities include lotteries, bingo, casino games (like poker or slot machines), raffles and sports betting. Because gambling is based on chance, there is always an element of risk. Gambling can be a form of entertainment for many people. 

Gambling becomes a problem when it negatively impacts you or your loved ones. Some people are more at risk than others, for example, teens and young adults. Certain types of gambling are more likely to cause harm than others, including online gambling and sports betting.

It is only legal to gamble in B.C. if:

• You are 19 years or older
• The gambling activity or establishment is run by the provincial government

There are steps you can take to lower the risks associated with gambling. Follow the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines: 

• Gamble no more than 1% of household income
• Gamble no more than four days per month
• Avoid regularly gambling at more than two types of games 

For example, if your annual household income before tax is $70,000, don’t gamble more than $58 per month.

Games that are fast-paced and involve frequent betting (like slot machines) are higher risk than slower-paced gambling activities (like lottery games).

If you are at higher risk from gambling, consider gambling less than these recommendations or not at all.

Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines

Assess your risk level 

Use the Self-Assessment Tool to help you understand how your gambling habits and activities compare with the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines.

You might be at greater risk from gambling, if you: 

• Experience problems with anxiety or depression
• Experience problems from alcohol, cannabis and other drug use
• Have a personal or family history of gambling problems
• Use gambling as a way to escape problems
• Are a teen or young adult (higher risk for males) 

Access to gambling opportunities has changed in recent years with the rapid expansion of online gambling. People who gamble online are more at risk than people who mainly gamble in-person because there are increased opportunities to gamble and more availability of high-risk products.

Teens and young adults

Teens and young adults are more likely to experience gambling harms, particularly males and those with greater independence and financial access. The parts of the brain responsible for things like risk assessment and impulse control don’t fully develop until about their mid-20s. 

Gambling-related activities are common among young people. They most often participate through informal and digital platforms such as online gambling, esports betting and video games with purchasable rewards or loot boxes. Even without real money, playing these games can reinforce and normalize risk-taking behaviour. 

To learn more:

• Teen gambling (Caring for Kids)
• Understanding the risks: Why teens are vulnerable (Responsible Gambling Council)

If you choose to participate in gambling, you should be aware of the potential risks. Some people experience harms like financial challenges, relationship conflicts, emotional distress and health issues. 

People may neglect relationships with friends and loved ones. 

Negative mental health effects can include feelings of loneliness, isolation, guilt and, in severe cases, having suicidal thoughts. 

Gambling leads some people to increase their consumption of alcohol or use illegal substances. 

To learn more:

• Harms of gambling (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction)
• Gambling Harms (88KB, PDF, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction)

Gambling disorder

Gambling disorder is a recognized mental illness. It is defined as persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behaviour leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. 

Many people with gambling disorder also experience other mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. 

A health professional, like a family doctor or nurse practitioner, can diagnosis gambling disorder and recommend treatment options. Treatment options may include different types of therapy; there are currently no medications approved to treat gambling disorder.

Be aware of these warning signs that gambling might be a problem for you:

• Lying about the extent of gambling
• Borrowing money, selling things or committing crimes to get more money to gamble
• Gambling more to recover lost money
• Gambling when you feel distressed or to “escape” from personal problems Feelings of guilt, emptiness or sadness about gambling
• Irritability when trying to limit or quit gambling
• Prioritizing gambling over personal, social, or work-related responsibilities
• Having unpaid bills, debt or other financial issues due to gambling

To learn more:

• Know the warning signs (GameSense)
• What is problem gambling? (Responsible Gambling Council)
• Safer gambling tips (Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines)

If you or someone you care about is experiencing harm from gambling, help is available.