Lesson 2c: Gambling and Financial Risks 

1. Introduction

Gambling is when people take a chance with their money, hoping to win more. This might include things like buying lottery tickets, going to a casino, or betting on a sports game. Some video games also have gambling-like features, such as paying for "loot boxes" to get rare items. While gambling may seem fun at first, it can be dangerous because most people lose more money than they win.

In many Indigenous communities, money can be tight, and people work hard to care for their families. Losing money to gambling can make it harder to pay for important things like food, rent, or school supplies. Gambling can also cause stress and hurt relationships with friends and family.

In this lesson, we will learn about how gambling can harm both money and mental health. We’ll also look at ways to make safe choices and handle situations where you might feel pressure to gamble. By understanding these risks, you can make better decisions to protect your future.

2. How Gambling Can Affect Your Finances

When people gamble, they often think they can win big. But the truth is, gambling is designed so that most people lose. Casinos, lotteries, and other gambling businesses make money by giving players a small chance of winning and a much bigger chance of losing. This is why gambling can cause serious financial problems.

Losing More Than You Win

Most gambling games, like slot machines or lottery tickets, are based on luck, not skill. This means no matter how many times you play, the odds are not in your favor. Some people think they can "win back" the money they lost by gambling more, but this usually makes the problem worse. They end up losing even more money.

Debt and Bills

Losing money from gambling can make it hard to afford everyday needs. People may struggle to pay their rent, buy groceries, or keep up with other bills. They may borrow money from family or friends, but if they keep gambling, the debt can grow. This can create stress and lead to arguments with loved ones.

In some cases, people may sell things they own just to get more money to gamble. This puts them in a very difficult situation. Instead of being able to save money or plan for the future, they are stuck trying to pay off their losses.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say a teenager named Jake lives in northern Saskatchewan. He gets a part-time job to help his family and starts gambling with some of his extra money, hoping to win more. At first, he wins a little and feels excited, so he keeps playing. But soon, he starts losing money. He tries to win back what he lost but keeps losing more. Jake ends up missing payments on his phone bill and has to borrow money from a cousin. Now, he feels stressed and worried all the time.

How to Avoid Financial Problems from Gambling

One way to protect yourself is by setting strict limits on how much money and time you spend on gambling—or avoiding it altogether. Instead of gambling, look for other fun activities that don’t risk your money, like sports, storytelling, or arts and crafts.

It’s also important to ask for help if gambling becomes a problem. There are resources available in Saskatchewan, including community support programs that can help you manage money and make better financial choices.

3. How Gambling Can Harm Mental Health

Gambling doesn’t just hurt your finances—it can also harm your mental and emotional well-being. Losing money over and over again can create a lot of stress, and some people even become addicted to gambling, which can make their problems worse over time.

Stress and Anxiety

When people lose money gambling, they may start worrying about how they will pay for the things they need. This can lead to stress and anxiety, which are feelings of being tense or scared all the time. Stress can make it hard to focus in school or work and might cause people to lose sleep. When someone feels overwhelmed by these problems, it can take a toll on their mental health.

For Indigenous students, this may also affect their ability to stay involved with cultural and community activities, like sports or gatherings, which help build strength and resilience. The more stress builds up, the harder it becomes to stay connected with family and friends.

Gambling Addiction

Some people may gamble so much that it becomes an addiction. This is called a “gambling disorder.” Addiction happens when a person feels like they have to gamble, even when they know it's hurting them. They might gamble to try to feel better when they are sad, angry, or stressed.

Signs of gambling addiction include:

• Thinking about gambling all the time.

• Hiding gambling from others or lying about how much money was lost.

• Borrowing or stealing money to keep gambling.

Addiction can make people feel ashamed and alone, but it’s important to know that many others have experienced the same problem and have recovered by getting help.

Real-Life Impact

Imagine a young person named Sarah, who gambles to escape her problems at home. At first, gambling makes her feel excited and gives her a break from her worries. But after losing money, she starts feeling worse. She hides her gambling from her family, avoids her friends, and loses interest in things she used to enjoy, like dancing at powwows. Eventually, Sarah reaches out to a community elder, who helps her find support.

How to Protect Your Mental Health

To stay mentally healthy, it's important to be aware of your feelings. Don’t gamble when you are feeling sad, angry, or bored. Take breaks and talk to someone you trust if you feel gambling is becoming a problem. Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan often have elders, mental health workers, or helplines that can help you manage stress.

4. Risks of Addiction

Addiction is when a person keeps doing something harmful because they feel like they can’t stop, even when it causes problems in their life. Gambling addiction is serious and can be hard to overcome without help. Understanding how addiction works and recognizing the signs can help prevent it.

How Addiction Works

Addiction can affect the brain, making it crave the excitement or relief gambling gives. It’s like being addicted to other things, such as sugar or video games. When someone wins at gambling, even a small amount, their brain releases chemicals that make them feel happy and excited. They may want to gamble again to get that same feeling.

However, when they lose, they may feel frustrated and try to win back the money they lost. This is dangerous because most gambling games are designed to make you lose over time. The more someone chases their losses, the more likely they are to become addicted.

Signs of Gambling Addiction

Addiction can sneak up on people. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

• You can’t stop: Even when you try to stop gambling, you keep going back.

• You lie about gambling: You might hide gambling from your family or friends because you’re embarrassed or afraid of their reactions.

• You borrow or steal: You might start borrowing money from others or selling your belongings to keep gambling.

When these behaviors start, gambling becomes less of a fun activity and more of a harmful habit. Addiction can hurt relationships with family and friends and make it harder to succeed in school or work.

The Cycle of Addiction

Gambling addiction often follows a harmful cycle. Someone might gamble to feel better when they are stressed or sad. If they lose, they feel even worse. To try to fix their losses, they gamble again and lose more money. This cycle repeats and gets worse over time.

For Indigenous students, this cycle may also affect their connections to their communities, including important cultural practices and responsibilities.

How to Avoid Addiction

One way to avoid addiction is to know your limits. Set a spending limit and stick to it. You should also be aware of your emotions. Don’t gamble if you’re feeling upset, tired, or bored. Instead, find healthier ways to cope, like going for a walk, doing art, or spending time with supportive people in your life.

If you notice signs of addiction in yourself or a friend, reach out to someone you trust, like a teacher, elder, or counselor. Many people recover from addiction with the right support.

5. Making Safe Decisions

Sometimes, you might find yourself in situations where gambling seems like a fun or easy way to spend time and make money. You might even feel pressured by friends to join in. However, it’s important to stay in control and make safe decisions to avoid the risks gambling can bring.

Recognizing Triggers

A "trigger" is something that can push you to take a risk, like gambling. Common triggers include:

• Peer Pressure: Friends might invite you to gamble, saying, "Come on, it’s just for fun!"

• Boredom: You might gamble because you have nothing else to do.

• Emotions: Feeling sad, stressed, or angry can make some people turn to gambling to distract themselves.

Recognizing these triggers can help you make smarter choices in the moment. When you know what might push you toward risky behavior, you can prepare to handle those situations differently.

Safe Alternatives to Gambling

Instead of gambling, try activities that don’t risk your money but still help you feel excited or entertained. These can include:

• Playing sports like hockey, soccer, or basketball.

• Participating in cultural events, like powwows, drumming circles, or traditional storytelling.

• Doing creative activities, such as beadwork, drawing, or making music.

• Spending time with friends and family doing things like playing board games or cooking together.

These activities can help you stay connected to your community and bring long-term happiness, unlike gambling, which can quickly lead to disappointment and stress.

Setting Boundaries

It’s important to have clear boundaries around gambling. This might mean setting a rule for yourself, like:

• "I will never gamble more than $5 at a time."

• "I will not gamble when I feel stressed."

• "If my friends want to gamble, I will say no and suggest another activity."

Sticking to these rules can help you stay in control. If a situation feels too tempting, don’t be afraid to walk away or say, “No thanks.”

Practice Scenario

Let’s imagine this situation:

Your friend invites you to a small gathering. At the gathering, they ask if you want to play a card game where everyone puts in $10 to win money. Your friend says, "It’s no big deal. You’ll probably win!"

Ask yourself:

• What could happen if you lose the money?

• How would you respond to your friend if you don’t want to gamble?

You could say something like, "I don’t feel like gambling right now. Let’s play something else instead." This shows that you respect yourself and your boundaries while also offering a different activity.

Protecting Your Future

Making safe decisions today helps you protect your financial and mental health in the long run. Remember, you don’t have to gamble to have fun or fit in. Your choices shape your future, so take care of yourself by staying away from risky situations.

6. How to Seek Help and Support

If gambling is causing problems in your life, it’s important to reach out for help. Many people who struggle with gambling have found support and recovered. You don’t have to go through it alone—there are trusted people and resources available to help you.

Talk to Someone You Trust

Start by talking to someone you feel comfortable with, like a parent, teacher, elder, or counselor. These people can listen and offer guidance. In many Indigenous communities, elders can provide cultural advice and support to help with healing and making better choices.

Support Services in Saskatchewan

There are also services available to help with gambling problems:

• Kids Help Phone: A free, confidential helpline that offers support 24/7. You can call or text them if you need someone to talk to.

• Gambling Support Programs: Many health services in Saskatchewan have programs for gambling addiction. You can ask a teacher, doctor, or school counselor to help connect you with one.

These programs can help you learn how to manage money, handle stress, and make safer decisions about gambling and other risky activities.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Reaching out for support shows strength, not weakness. Everyone faces challenges in life. By seeking help, you are taking control of your future and protecting your mental and financial health.

8. Vocabulary

Here are some important words from this lesson:

1. Gambling: Taking a risk by betting money on games or events to try to win more money.

2. Addiction: A habit that is hard to stop, even when it causes harm.

3. Financial Stability: Being able to pay for your needs and save money for the future.

4. Peer Pressure: Feeling pushed by friends to do something, even if you don’t want to.

5. Risk: The chance of something bad happening, like losing money when gambling.

9. Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What is a risk of gambling?
   A. Losing money
   B. Getting free money
   C. No consequences
   (Correct answer: A)

2. How can gambling harm mental health?
   A. It can cause stress and anxiety
   B. It always makes you happy
   C. It improves your financial situation
   (Correct answer: A)

3. What is one way to avoid gambling risks?
   A. Don’t set spending limits
   B. Find other fun activities
   C. Borrow money to gamble
   (Correct answer: B)

10. References

• Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca

• Gambling Support Services in Saskatchewan: Information available through Saskatchewan Health Authority

• Lesson summary credit: ChatGPT Handout Maker, providing educational content on gambling risks tailored to Indigenous students and communities.