Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Policy and Procedure Manual

For the purposes of this policy, gambling is defined as the playing of a game of chance for a stake or the playing of a game for money or property.

The health effects of gambling have been well documented. While not everyone who gambles will develop an addiction to the activity, studies have shown that pathological problem gamblers have more social, marital, financial and psychological problems than non-gamblers. Legalization of gambling, including lotteries, has resulted in an increase in compulsive gambling (Lorenz, 1990) with adolescent gambling increasing two-fold (Jacobs and Kuley, 1991). In addition, the poor and minorities who gamble are the most likely to suffer from participating in gambling related activities, the least likely to seek treatment and show preference for easily accessible gambling activities such as lotteries or number games. (*)

The health unit mission statement supports the right to choice. If a community group chooses an action that the health unit considers to be an unhealthy choice, the health unit would not withdraw its services, any more than we would refuse services to someone who continues to smoke, despite evidence that this is an unhealthy behaviour. In summary, although we do not support gambling, we do support the groups' right to make that choice.

Further, this policy is in no way intended to interfere with a health unit employee's right to make personal decisions related to gambling activities or to interfere with any activity undertaken as part of the employee's personal life. It is intended to increase awareness of the potential health consequences of gambling related activities and to proved direction to health unit staff concerning their actions on behalf of the health unit.

Health unit employees, when representing the health unit in a community undertaking, will not support fund raising involving gambling activities.

1. If gambling is proposed for fund raising, health unit representatives will speak to the potential health consequences of gambling activities and indicate that the health unit therefore does not support this method of fund raising.
2. If a vote is taken, health unit representatives will vote against gambling activities as fund raisers.
3. If the group decision is to support gambling activities, health unit representatives will not participate in the gambling activity or its promotion and the health unit logo and/or name will not appear on any material associated with that activity.
4. The health unit will continue to work with the community group to achieve its goals as long as health unit participation and support is appropriate.