"the Province claims there are only about 150 thousand serious gambling "addicts" in B.C."

If that is an accurate figure then, based on the adult population of about 3 million in BC, 5% of our gambling age population has a serious gambling addiction. Of course, if one takes the proportion of those who gamble at least once a month, that percentage would be considerably higher.

What an admission by the province!!!

So what is the prevention and treatment program?

Not building anymore gambling facilites?

Reducing the existing number of gambling facilites?

Building "dummy" gambling facilities where you can pretend to gamble but never loose any money?

They say that in order to cure addictions the first step one has to reach if one is to recover is to come to the realization that one has an addiction.

It is time that we take steps to ensure that the provincial government understands that it has an addiction to gambling. Easy to get if you are sure to win ..... however, as with any gambling, it is a false winnig streak .... eventually there will be a loss ... with gambling it is only a matter of time.

As for the $23 per gambler ... is that paid out in the form of chips?

Well Owl, I gather you do not know a great deal about addicted gamblers???? An alcoholic does not drink once a month, a smoker does not smoke once a month, a drug addict does not take drugs once a month--NOR DOES AN ADDICTED GAMBLER GAMBLE ONCE A MONTH. A V L T addict is drawn to the equipment wherever it is available at every opportunity. They escape reality, shut out the rest of the world, and exist only with that piece of machinery. They reach a point whereby they hate themselves for what they have become, as they will reach the point whereby they will lie, cheat and steal in order to feed a V L T a few dollars. They suffer!!!!And the entire family suffers with them. They suffer a radical personality change, as they must cover up for this addiction. An alcoholic does not brag-hey I am an alcoholic. A smoker does not brag-Hey, look, I am a world class smoker. Does a drug addict brag--I am a real druggie??? Well, a gambler hides also.
150,000 addicted gamblers?? Does that not easily affect a million people. The harm it does to families is horrendous, accounting for the raising of emotionally unstable children who remain so as adults. It affects kids, Moms, Dads, grand parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, let us say entire families. Fighting, swearing, family break ups, avoidance of family members and friends, suicides etc., takes a heavy toll. The disposable income is not spent on say, shoes and clothes for the kids, Mom does not get a new microwave, Dad does not get a new lawnmower, and many bills remain unpaid and harassment follows.Eventually it affects the retailer who sells the light bulbs.
THE ADDICTED GAMBLER BECOMES SNEAKY AND SECRETIVE. The V L T has done its job, and the governments shall reap the rewards. It is like a form of "voluntary taxation."
If anyone thinks a gambler will frequent a gaming establishment whereby they can play but not lose, they are really out in left field, and know absolutely nothing about gambling. This is not "for fun." This is to "win or lose." It is to take risks. It is a sickness which one succumbs to willingly at the first sizeable "win." The rush, the exhilaration, the joy, the trepidation, the excuses, the feeling of doom, all somehow related to each spin of a V L T. The addicted gambler is powerless-no escape now.
And yet I can see the City of Prince George establishing a "Gaming Centre" in the old Safeway Building on 4th and Victoria. The people in this city will let it come to pass. The non gambler says, "I don't care, I do not gamble." thinking it has no effect on him. WRONG. He pays along with everyone, as the addicted gambler drains on the rest of society. They will steal, they will beg, and yes-they will commit suicide when all hope is lost, and discovery is imminent.
WAKE UP PRINCE GEORGE CITIZENS. Governments can be "evil" and "heartless." We are being shown proof of this right now, and we must say NO NO NO to their proposed Gaming Center, or suffer the consequences, as we most surely will. We must get rid of governments who promote this form of destruction on the people, starting with this Mayor and Council, who were fully behind the increased equipment for the Treasure Cove. That harm is already done Do not allow this city to further harm its residents. Say NO!!!

I think you misunderstood my point, gypsy .....

I said:

"If that is an accurate figure then, based on the adult population of about 3 million in BC, 5% of our gambling age population has a serious gambling addiction. Of course, if one takes the proportion of those who gamble at least once a month, that percentage would be considerably higher."

In my opinion it is erroneous to use the entire adult population of BC to determine that 5% are "gambling addicts". It is really almost a meaningless figure.

The reason I think that is because I feel there is a segment of the population who absolutely never gamble. I suspect that is a very small segment.

There is another segment of the population who gamble on occasion, perhaps when they go on a cruise once a year they will throw some quarters into slots, or they might buy some of those pull things (whatever they are called) at the local convenience store, maybe even to give as a birthday gift rather than a "real" gift.

Then there is a group that might, as part of their "entertainment" expenditures, go to restuarants, watch a hockey game, go to the movies, have a Starbucks, rent DVDs, go to the pub, watch the hockley enforcers, and even go to the casino, perhaps on a rotational basis as part of their spectrum of things they do for entertainment. It is that group that I am interested in to sart looking at as people who are "not adverse to gambling" and might do so on average of once a month at say a total limit of $20 per person, which is similar to spending money on a pizza and a beer.

These are surely not addicted gamblers, just as they are not addicted hockey fanatics or pizza eaters.

Anyway, if one takes that group and the ones who gamble more frequently than that, prefering to gamble more than any of those other entertainment activities, I would be surprised if there would be more than a million in that cutoff group.

Thus, I project that the percentage of addicted gamblers of those people who gamble on occasion is going to be in the 15 to 20% range.

I would assume there are studies out there of the number of people related to both frequency of gambling and level of gambling.

In other words, what is it that takes someone from gambling as an entertainmnet option to gambling as an obsession and addiction?

Similar to what is it that takes a drinker of alcohol from the occasional beer or two at a pub or wine with meals, or at a party without getting drunk, to an outright alcoholic?

So, if we use that analogy, I do not care as much about what percentage of the adult population is alcoholic, but what percentage of those who drink alcohol on occasion and more is alcoholic.

In other words what is the risk of someone drinking alcohol of becoming an alcoholic and what is the risk of someone who gambles on occasion of becoming a habitual gambler?

Finally, what is the risk in both cases if the legal opportunities are removed?

Neither alcoholics nor habitual gamblers are eradicated under those conditions. People were gambling and loosing money a long time before BC 49.

To what extent have matters become worse? How much money was gambled before, and where did it go?

Sorry owl, I do not only give consideration to the addicted gambler, but I think taking into consideration the other lives affected by any person who becomes addicted to a so called "vice." The social aspect of drinking and gambling certainly will not dictate that each person who has a drink will be an alcoholic, or each person who sits down at a V L T will become addicted. It is that vices are made so readily available to the public as they are a means of extracting huge amounts of money from the public, and goverments have no mercy when it comes to filling their coffers. I think perhaps you missed my point, as I do not believe the addicted gambler suffers to the degree those around him endure in their lives being "hell." And what weapon do they possess to change the pattern the addict has set for all to live with?
If we are to become a "self destruct" society, we are really on the right path.
I admired the stand B C initially took when they proclaimed to be and remain a "no V L T" province. How easily they changed that when they realized the revenue they would be the benefactors of. Do you believe for one minute this revenue came from people just dropping in occasionally??? The so called $20.00 a month gambler??? Let me assure you this is not the major contributor. It is the man or woman who loses the entire paycheque at one sitting, and can do so every payday. It is the Mom who drops in on her way to the grocery store and goes home empty handed. It is the person with the shortened breath and sweaty palms when a V L T comes into view. It is the person who cares not what he is supposed to be celebrating, or bothers to socialize with the group he is with, but glances over his shoulder at the V L T's beckoning, and really can concentrate on nothing else. It is the "addicted" gambler.
They are the ones affected by the availability of a V L T. One cannot compare to the dollars dropped in on a cruise, or a trip to Vegas or Reno, nor to a $20.00 bill put down for Lotto 649. A V L T can spin off hundreds of dollars in a very short time. Just cannot be used as a comparable.
Anyhow, if the old Safeway becomes a "gaming centre," please note that I predict a definite downturn in the retailers businesses, and a major increase in crime. It will not be safe to park your vehicle in that parking lot unattended either.
If that is what the public wants and allows the city to proceed, then by all means they had best be prepared to suffer the consequences. The city and Government will reap the profits, and the residents of this city will pay dearly, and not only in dollars. This city will create its own "hell on earth." I will await the announcement that Pubs will be allowed an allotted number of V L T s. One step at a time, folks. And that too shall come to pass.

Come on gypsy and owl, you do not actually believe anyone is going to read your entire posts do you? Have you ever heard of short and sweet? Give me a break.

later..................

Spanky ... you bring up something I have been wondering more and more often ....

How many people actually read any of this?????

I think we have a little clique going here and a bunch of voyeurs .....

I don't know who outnumbers whom ....

wanna place a bet????

;-)

Gypsy ... I know what you are talking about and if you read the end of my original post on this you will hopefully see I am not on the side of the government on this ....

Oh my Spanky-I am crushed. And all I wanted was to be a counsellor!! Actually if one person realizes the trap they can enter by gambling, my ranting and raving has been a success. Sorry if you are bored- Go back to your spank show-whatever that is.
Is this the first time anyone has responded to anything you put forward???? Is it any wonder??

Come on there gypsy, do you think I really care if anyone responds to my comments? Doubtful. This is strictly entertainment for me. If you don't like my opinions, too bad. That is why it is called "OPINION 250" not Gypsy version 5.0. As for "Owl" same goes for you, do I care how many people read this? not a chance. If I was looking for recognition I would use my real name. You act like this is some giant brain contest and I am not interested. the ratio?, a bet? Who cares is a better question. what difference would it make?

Strictly entertainment.

YOU are so RIGHT Spanky. Why in hell should I CARE?? Sorry I did not realize this was all strictly for entertainment. My mistake. Let the government and city take further advantage of the addicts, of all descriptions. Just remember, when they need assistance, we, the taxpayers, foot that bill also.
You must be horribly lonely and bored if you consider this "entertainment." When it comes time to pay the price, I am sure you will be the first to "step up to the plate."