NL has higher rate of gambling than national average at 77 percent

    Monday, 13 April 2026 12:02

    By Tonya Organ

    Pixabay photo credit: aidanhowe

    That’s according to Will Lummis, who is the Regional Addictions Prevention Consultant with NL Health Services in the Western Zone.

    No form of gambling is completely risk free.  That’s according to Will Lummis, who is the Regional Addictions Prevention Consultant with NL Health Services in the Western Zone. On  Bayfm’s “the Plain Truth,” Lummis says for most people, gambling isn’t a problem but it could become one. He says about two thirds of Canadians age 15 and older report some form of gambling within the last 12 months, but that number is higher here with about 77 percent gambling in the last year. 

    Lummis says recreational gambling and problem gambling are terms they are moving away from and it is now termed based on a spectrum of low or high risk gambling. He says those with prior risks are more susceptible to gambling becoming a high risk, including things like spending more, gambling more often, substance abuse, family history, anxiety or trauma. 

    Lummis says three things to focus on include how much, how often and how many. He says people should not gamble more than one percent of household income before taxes per month, people should stick to gambling no more than four days per month, and keep it at two types of games. 

     

    To report an error, submit a news tip, or provide feedback, please e-mail news@bayfm.ca or call (709) 637-0183.

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