March is recognized as Gambling Harm Awareness Month, an annual initiative to raise public awareness about the potential harm from gambling through prevention, treatment, referral and recovery services.
The PEI Department of Health and Wellness, Provincial Responsible Gambling Support Unit organized and executed several excellent public awareness engagement events in March of 2025 to recognize this important initiative.
In an excellent collaboration with The Charlottetown Islanders and The Summerside Western Capitals hockey teams, the Gambling Support Unit (GSU) held two Community Gambling Harm Awareness nights at full capacity hockey games on March 1st in Charlottetown at The Eastlink Centre and March 6th in Summerside at Credit Union Place.
Members of the GSU set up community engagement booths at both venues and interacted with fans young and old. Engaging conversations were in full swing and there were so many great opportunities for chats about supports available across PEI for both gambling and gaming harm, as well as strategies to recognize and decrease harm from gambling and gaming.
The GSU was also joined by young members of the Western Rebels U16 as well as the North River Flames U15 hockey teams, who acted as amazing ambassadors and volunteers in connecting with their peers in these community engagement initiatives. Thanks for the help teams!
