Back to SearchLocal Partnership Launches Two Gambling and Casino Impact Surveys
NORTH BAY, ON/PARRY SOUND, ON - A casino is opening in North Bay in 2020 and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit), as part of the Gambling Harm Reduction Partnership, has launched two short, anonymous surveys related to gambling and the perceived impact of the gambling expansion.
The surveys target residents in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts and businesses in the same districts. Surveys are available until December 6, 2019 and all responses are anonymous.
The survey, targeted to area residents 19 years of age and older, looks to learn about individuals’ gambling behaviours and attitudes. The second survey, which targets area businesses, aims to gather information about the perceived impacts – positive and negative – of the expanded opportunities for gambling locally.
“Access to local level data on gambling behaviours is a gap in our area. In order to effectively prevent and respond to harms related to gambling, we need to understand community members’ experiences with gambling and their attitudes toward gambling,” says Tawnia Healy, Community Health Promoter, Health Unit and Chair of the Gambling Harm Reduction Partnership.
The information gathered from the surveys will not only help to set a benchmark for local gambling research, but will help to prioritize the public health approach to gambling assistance in the area. This would include projects such as:
- The promotion of policy level, evidence-based strategies to reduce harm within gambling environments.
- Increase public education around gambling.
- Increase accessibility and uptake of treatment and support services for those experiencing problem gambling.
- Help to monitor the impact – positive and negative – of gambling expansion in the area.
The impact of problem gambling on community well-being is far reaching and problem gambling can affect anyone no matter their socioeconomic status. People with moderate or severe problem gambling and those close to them are more likely than the general population to experience other negative health and social impacts. Problem gambling is associated with higher rates of depression, suicide, substance use disorders, homelessness, criminality and being victims or perpetrators of domestic and inter-partner violence, according to the data.
Both surveys are available online at www.myhealthunit.ca/gambling.
Paper copies of the survey are available at the Health Unit (345 Oak St. W in North Bay or 70 Joseph St. Suite 302 in Parry Sound) and throughout the community. Please call the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5210 to learn where the closest paper survey is to you.
If you require support for problem gambling or if you are a family member or friend in need of support call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 to be connected to a counselling service in your area.
For more information, call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808, or learn more at myhealthunit.ca.
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Media Inquiries
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
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