March is Gambling Harm Awareness Month, an annual initiative to raise public awareness about the potential harm from gambling through prevention, treatment, referral and recovery services.
While gambling is a recreational entertainment activity for most, it can also lead to harmful experiences and addiction for some individuals and their loved ones. Given the increasing prevalence and access to on-line gambling across Canada and globally in recent times – particularly sports betting – it’s important to understand when this activity can turn from recreational to problematic, and to take steps to minimize potential harms.
Did you know:
- Gambling harm can impact anyone from any age group, social strata, gender or race.
- Gambling harm can happen quickly, or increase over a period of time
- Signs of harm from gambling can be difficult to detect, often known as "The Hidden Addiction".
- Research shows that recreational gambling can start in youth as young as eight and can become harmful at any age.
- Gambling can be passive, such as lottery tickets and charitable gambling, or more perceived skill-based games, such as sports betting and poker. But there is risk and potential for harm in ALL forms of gambling.
- Most people gamble with money, but anything of value can be gambled, like valuables or personal property.
- Your brain can become dependent on gambling similar to how it can be dependent on a substance.
This Gambling Harm Awareness Month, we encourage all Islanders to recognize the warning signs of Gambling Harm to help minimize the negative impact it can have on some individuals and their loved ones.
To help Islanders make informed decisions about gambling, The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) offers lower-risk gambling guidelines, which advise to:
- Gamble no more than one per cent of household income before tax per month
- Gamble no more than four days per month
- Avoid regularly gambling at more than two types of games
Our PEI Gambling and Gaming Support website also has a Gambling Self-Assessment tool that individuals can use to help evaluate their gambling habits and identify potential issues.
Events Happening in March to recognize Gambling Harm Awareness:
"Take a Break" FREE Family Skates and Swims.
Sponsored by the PEI Gambling and Gaming Support Unit, Department of Health and Wellness
Family Swim: Sunday March 1st 2026 10am - 11:30am
Bell Aliant Centre - Charlottetown, PEI
FREE to attend
Please note: This event will be first come, first serve until capacity is reached. All children 7 years and under must have an adult in the water with them, within arms reach. All children under 12 must have an adult supervising them on the pool deck.
Family Skate: Saturday March 14th 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm
Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre - Three Rivers Sportsplex, Montague PEI
FREE to attend
Please note: This event will be first come, first serve until capacity is reached. Everyone must wear wear a CSA-approved helmet at all times. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Clinical Focused Educational Webinar Series:
In recognition of Gambling Harm Awareness Month, the Gambling Support Unit is pleased to share an additional professional development opportunity for clinicians, as well as community partners, who work in the responsible gambling space.
In collaboration with our partners from New Brunswick Department of Health – Addiction and Mental Health Services Division, who are offering a series of gambling-related harm educational webinars this March, we are pleased to be able extend the invitation to attend here on Prince Edward Island as well.
These sessions are designed to support clinicians in building knowledge and confidence when working with individuals experiencing gambling-related harms with a focus on current evidence, emerging trends, and practical tools to support screening, assessment, and intervention, with the goal of strengthening clinical capacity and improving client outcomes.
Please see the registration links below for full session details and to register.
1) March 5th, 2026 (10:00am to 12:00pm)
Webinar - An Overview of Internet Gaming Disorder: Applications for Clinical Practice in Canada
Presented by Dr. Amy MacQuarrie
(Offered in English with live French interpretation.)
Registration: https://gnb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iE6MlrgGTAigUb-lobDOGw
2) March 12th, 2026 (1:00pm to 3:00pm) *
Webinar – Canada’s Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGG)
Presented by Dr. Matthew M. Young & Dr. David Carson Hodgins
(Offered in English with live French interpretation)
Registration: https://gnb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PA5bZQIOQ1KhivM2MolJYA
3) March 16th, 2026 (1:30pm to 3:30pm)
Webinar – Understanding Gambling Related Harm: An Introduction
Presented by Serge Bourque
(Same webinar content as the March 19 session, delivered in English)
Registration: https://gnb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SOSd_1S8Rb6KZLEvRHYFiQ
4) March 19th, 2026 (9:00am to 11:00am)
Webinaire - Comprendre les m?faits li?s au jeu de hasard: Une introduction
Presented by Serge Bourque
(Same webinar content as the March 16 session, delivered in French)
Registration: https://gnb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R3psEDbERPObESKen3qthw
5) March 24th, 2026 (1:30pm to 3:30pm)
Webinaire - Les jeux de hasard et d’argent à l’ère du numérique: reconnaître les méfaits et accompagner les personnes dans le besoin
Presented by Dr. Youssef Allami
(Same webinar content as the March 25 session, delivered in French)
Registration: https://gnb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oO7GL1CHQwWXWakInx54Jg
6) March 25th, 2026 (2:00pm to 4:00pm)
Webinar - Gambling in the digital age: recognizing harm and supporting those in need;
Presented by Dr. Andrew (Hyounsoo) Kim
(Same webinar content as the March 24 session, delivered in English)
Registration: https://gnb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HPz2hHDhSIOG0ZhqBRZuKw
We would like to sincerely thank our New Brunswick colleagues for their collaboration and for generously offering these sessions to support clinicians across jurisdictions.
2nd Annual Gambling Harm Awareness Education Day:
**event now at capacity and registration is closed**
Thursday March 12th 2026 8:30am - 3pm
The Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, 75 Kent St.
A day of education for community partners, clinical and educational partners and ethnocultural organization partners to strengthen existing partnerships, build new relationships and explore collaborative efforts in 2026 to support harm prevention and education across diverse communities. We look forward to working together to create meaningful impact and expand access to support services for all Islanders.
The day will feature an amazing group of guest presenters including:
• PEI Gambling & Gaming Support Unit
• Addiction and Mental Health Services, Dept of Health NB
• MH&A Services for Children and Youth – Horizon Health Network
• PEI Mental Health and Addictions Patient Navigator
• BIPOC USHR
• PlayWise Team Red Shores/ALC PEI
• PEI Dept of Social Development and Seniors
For more information on gambling, including risk factors, strategies to engage in responsible gambling, and how to get help and resources, visit PEIGamblingSupport.com
Islanders can also call The PEI Gambling Support line at 1-855-255-4255 to connect immediately with an Island based support professional. It's totally confidential and free for Islanders to use as often as needed, 24/7.