Grade 8 | Unit 8.5 | Page 7

Unit 8.5Transparency 1 - page i

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE DEVELOP A PROBLEM WITHGAMBLING WHILE OTHERS DON'T? LEVELS OF CONTROL

• Do you think that most people who gamble have a problem?

• When is gambling not a problem?

• When are gamblers likely to develop serious problems?

• Gamblers who hold on to superstitions are likely to continue to gamble andlose more and more money. Gamblers like these are likely to develop aserious gambling problem because they think that the outcome of the gamecan be controlled. In games of chance, however, it isn't possible to knowthe outcome beforehand.

• Can a person, who is deciding whether to gamble or not, control his orher decision to engage in this risky behaviour?

• Gambling, like other forms of risky behaviour, need not lead to problemsif you know that you can control the process of sensibledecision-making about risky behaviour.

• How to make sensible decisions about gambling: P - know your reason for getting involved R - know the risks involved. I - judge the quality of your information. Is your information based on

superstition? On myths? CC - be able to compromise, look for alternate ways of enjoying yourself,

or earning moneyE - enjoy knowing that you are taking your chances wisely

• Can a person, who is deciding whether to gamble or not, control his orher circumstances that are linked to encouraging risky behaviour?

• Gambling, like other forms of risky behaviour, need not lead to problemsif you know what the risky circumstances are in your community, yourfamily, your own personality and in your group of friends. Although youdon't have as much control over your circumstances as you do over yourown decision-making, you are to an extent able to control therisky circumstances that tend to encourage risky behaviour.

• Can a person, who is deciding whether to gamble or not, control theoutcome of the gambling if it is a game of chance?

• Gambling need not lead to problems if you know that in games of chanceyou have no control at all over the process that selects theoutcome.

• On the scale of control below, where would you place:a. Decision-making processb. Risky circumstances in which you find yourselfc. Selection process of outcomes in games of chance?

full control lesser control no control

• If you do decide to gamble (based on an informed decision), you'll alsoneed to know how to be a smart gambler, how to manage yourgambling behaviour responsibly.

Grade 8 | Unit 8.5 | Page 8

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