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Gambling

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Gambling is a legal activity in Canada. While most people who gamble do so without developing problems, it does pose potential risks and health concerns for some. For this reason, CCSA conducts research and develops materials designed to help Canadians make informed, responsible choices about their gambling in general and in specific situations or circumstances that are particularly risky, such as when they are consuming alcohol or other substances.

In this section:

What Is Gambling?

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Gambling is an activity in which a person risks money or something of value on an event for which the outcome is uncertain. People often gamble to win prizes, socialize or pass the time, or to support a charity or fundraising event. A variety of gambling activities — slot machines, card games, lottery tickets and games of skill — are accessible both online and offline.

Featured Resource

Report: Gambling Availability and Advertising in Canada: A Call to Action

Outlines the policy changes in Canada that led to the increase in gambling availability and advertising, and analyses why these changes are likely to increase gambling participation and gambling-related harms. Done in partnership with Greo Evidence Insights, the report asserts the need for a national strategy to address and prevent harms associated with gambling in Canada.

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Guidance, Tools and Resources

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CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the six categories below: 

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Substances

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Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics. Learn about their effects, usage patterns, associated health and social consequences, and harm reduction considerations

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Personal and Societal Impacts

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Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being. Learn about effective prevention and harm-reduction strategies in various sectors.

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Communities

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Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction. Dive into resources highlighting people with lived and living experience, stigma, sex- and gender-based analysis, Indigenous Peoples, and housing. 

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Treatment and Prevention

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Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders. Get the facts on public health topics and learn about collaborative efforts to reduce stigma and promote more equitable, inclusive responses to substance use.

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Youth

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Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth. Content promotes early prevention, harm reduction and supportive environments for youth up to age 25.

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Substance Use and the Workplace

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Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries. Resources support workplace leaders in building more supportive, stigma-free environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and initiative-taking education.