Learning everything there is to know about problem gambling should happen at a young age, normalizing the conversation. The GAME BRAiN traveling show recently made its way to Guelph in order to talk about the problem with children and educate them on the risks of compulsive gambling. Some 190 children at Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School participated in the special event traveling around Ontario.
It is never too early to start the conversation and learn more about the alarming reality of gaming addiction. Online and in-person gambling could drag gaming enthusiasts down a slippery slope and cause them to spend their savings and sink deep into the hole of debt. Learning more about gambling addiction, what triggers it, and whether or not one has an addictive personality is crucial at a young age.
Guelph Welcomes GAME BRAiN
This week was a special one as the students of this Guelph high school had the chance to welcome the traveling learning show striving to make the conversation a normal thing among them. They should be able to understand what causes the addiction and to be able to identify the early symptoms of problem gambling before they have caused irreversible damage to one’s life.
The Responsible Gambling Council wants to make a change and introduce them to new practical knowledge that could change their life. Guelph was the location ready to become the next stop on the GAME BRAiN tour across the province. As many as 190 students in Grade 9 were present and learning during the 45-minute show.
They participated in five activities aiming to show them the true nature of gambling, as well as its impact. They should be aware of the fact that the odds are never in the player’s favor, even though it might appear this way. Their easily impressionable minds could easily be captivated by the bright colors, riveting images, and the loud music of a traditional slot machine or video lottery terminal.
Students Learn About Gambling Addiction
Another game they participated in thought them how to identify problem gambling signs whether it is about themselves or their close ones. The GAME BRAiN initiative also gives kids all the resources they might need for battling problem gambling, such as the information where to seek help, as well as the various compulsive gambling programs the government of Ontario has employed.
The time they spend on social media apps featuring the pull-to-refresh feed feature could reshape the way they perceive gambling. This feature resembles the lever of a classic slot machine, now modernized, but equally as satisfying for players. Jason Agnew and Matt Chin of YTV’s show “Splatalot” made the experience even more special for the students. Teenagers gamble illegally and some 15 percent of them have used their lunch money for gambling over the past 12 months.
Last November saw the traveling game show make its way to Great Lakes Secondary School located in Sarnia. Engagement with the interactive show spreads across platforms, introducing conversation on Instagram. The show’s profile targets well its audience with the help of funny GIFs and memes further solidifying the relationship between students and GAME BRAiN.
