Education

Gambling

Overview
Gambling Awareness Sessions
Gaming Staff Workshops
Client Workshop: Casino Re-entry
School Based Programs
Problem Gambling for Imigrant Community Educators & Helpers

Overview

AFM Problem Gambling Services provides a full range of prevention, education and training services open to participation by professionals, paraprofessionals and the general public.

Customized Workshops and Presentations
Consultation
Courses
Gambling Awareness Workshops

Customized Workshops and Presentations
The AFM gambling service team can offer customized workshops, presentations and occasional service requests on gambling issues to agencies, workplaces and organizations.

Possible topics might include:

Responsible Gambling: How to Keep it Fun
Gambling and the Workplace
Gambling Information for Financial Service Professionals
Older Adults and Gambling
Gambling Issues and Youth
How Gambling Works
Referring Problem Gamblers: What to Look For and Who to Call

If you are interested in any of these topic areas or want to explore some possibilities in this area, please contact your closest AFM office. Winnipeg (204) 944-6368, Brandon (204) 729-3838, Thompson (204) 677-7300

Consultation Services
Professionals and helping organizations can call any of AFM's gambling prevention staff to discuss their needs or questions about gambling and/or problem gambling. Staff will provide information or suggestions on handling gambling problems or will develop and tailor training for specific organization needs. AFM consultants can work together with the organization to:

complete a needs assessment
explore available options
develop a plan of action

If you would like to speak with one of AFM's gambling consultants, please contact the AFM office closest to you. Winnipeg (204) 944-6368, Brandon (204) 729-3838, Thompson (204) 677-7300.

Gambling Awareness Workshops

The following sessions are offered at no charge. Click on the courses below for complete descriptions of each one. If you are interested in participating in any of the sessions listed, please contact your local AFM office: Winnipeg (204) 944-6368, Brandon (204) 729-3838, Thompson (204) 677-7300.

Gaming Staff Workshops

Lottery Retailer Responsible Gaming Training , to register now, click here.
Manitoba Problem Gambling Assistance Program

Client Workshop

Casino Re-Entry Workshop

School Based Programs

Keeping Your Shirt On
Keeping Your Spirit Strong
It's Your Lucky Day

Gaming Staff Workshops

Lottery Retailer Responsible Gaming Training

Purpose
This course, offered in cooperation with the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, will help lottery retailers to become more knowledgeable about responsible gaming practices and problem gambling.

Audience
This course is required by Manitoba Lotteries Corporation and Manitoba Gaming Control Commission for people working in regulated retail sites.

Description
This 90-minute training looks at:

how lottery games work, in particular the concepts of "randomness" and "house advantage"
common myths around lottery products
problem gambling warning signs
resources that are available to help people experiencing problems with gambling
familiarizing Lottery Retailers with Manitoba Lotteries Corporation's new Lottery Player Information booklet, which is available at all Lottery Retail sites at no charge.

Tuition
None

Course Offering Dates for 2012
Winnipeg - March 5, June 4, September 12, December 6
Thompson - April 10, October 9
Brandon - April 5, October 4
Dauphin and Area - March 8, September 5

To Register
To register now, and to view the location nearest to you, click here.

Manitoba Problem Gambling Assistance Program

Purpose
This goal of this workshop is to give key VLT site staff the information and skills necessary to assist customers who may be experiencing difficulties with their gambling.

Audience
This workshop is required by Manitoba Lotteries Corporation and Manitoba Gaming Control Commission for all VLT site holders in Manitoba.

Description
The objectives of this training are to help participants:

understand the key concepts in the VLT - Player Information Booklet
understand the responsible gambling features on the VLT's
dispel common player myths about gambling with accurate information
understand the range of gambling behavior from recreational gambling to harmful involvement in gambling
identify on-site behaviors that may indicate a customer is in difficulty with gambling
review and practice a range of strategies that could be used on site to assist customers in difficulty.

Tuition
None

Course Offering Dates for 2012
Winnipeg - February 28, May 28, August 22, November 27
Dauphin - February 2, May 24, September 27, December 6
Brandon - March 1, May 10, September 6, December 5
Thompson - January 12, April 12, July 12, October 11

To register or to find out more information:
In Winnipeg, call 204-944-6368
In Dauphin, call 204-622-22304
In Brandon, call 204-867-6101
In Thompson, call 1-866-291-7774

Client Workshops

Casino Re-Entry Workshop

Purpose
This workshop provides gambling awareness information to people who have participated in a two-year "self-exclusion" from the two Winnipeg casinos when they apply to re-enter the casinos. The Manitoba Lotteries Corporation requires that this course be taken by those who wish to re-enter after their exclusion period is over.

Audience
Individuals who have participated in a voluntary self-exclusion period from the casinos who wish to re-enter.

Course Description
The course will assist participants to:

understand how gambling works, including the concepts of house advantage, randomness and intermittent reinforcement
appreciate the differences between low risk and high risk gambling
identify myths and erroneous beliefs that can foster high risk gambling
review the past and present motivations, intentions and decisions about gambling and self-exclusion
develop a personal plan of action
be aware of the helping resources in Manitoba for problem gamblers.

Tuition
None

Other Information
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Training Room #1, 2nd floor, 1031 Portage Avenue
***Please bring reading glasses if needed.

Winnipeg Course Offering Dates for 2011
January 20, 2011
February 17, 2011
March 17, 2011
April 14, 2011
May 12, 2011
June 23, 2011
July 14, 2011
August 18, 2011
September 15, 2011
October 13, 2011
November 17, 2011
December 15, 2011

To Register
Please contact (204) 944-6368 between 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday to talk to Lynne, or leave a message with contact name and phone number.

School Based Programs

Keeping Your Shirt On

Purpose
To provide Manitoba secondary school students with information about gambling that may assist participants to make healthy and informed decisions about gambling.

Audience
Manitoba secondary school students

Description
During this interactive session, students will learn:

how gambling works, including concepts such as house advantage, randomness and intermittent reinforcement
what makes gambling attractive
what happens when gambling becomes a problem and why people get into trouble with it
some strategies for staying safe with gambling, if someone chooses to gamble
where to get help for gambling problems

To Register
Keeping Your Shirt On is one of AFM's gambling programs for schools. It is given on-site in schools by AFM staff. If you are interested in having this program in your school, please contact your local AFM office: Winnipeg (204) 944-6235, Brandon (204) 729-3838, Thompson (204) 677-7300.

Keeping Your Spirit Strong

Purpose
This session provides awareness of gambling and problem gambling issues to Aboriginal high school students, assisting them in making healthy and informed decisions about gambling.

Audience
Aboriginal secondary school students in Manitoba

Description
After completing this one-hour session, students will be able to:

understand how gambling works, including concepts such as house advantage and randomness
list five common and popular gambling activities
list three reasons why people choose to gamble
identify at least two signs of someone with a gambling problem
identify at least two strategies for staying safe if someone chooses to gamble

To Register
Keeping Your Spirit Strong is one of AFM's gambling programs for schools. It is given on-site in schools by AFM staff. If you are interested in having this program in your school, please contact your local AFM office: Winnipeg (204) 944-6235, Brandon (204) 729-3838, Thompson (204) 677-7300.

It's Your Lucky Day

Purpose
This multimedia gambling education and awareness program was developed for middle years students and delivered in the classroom by AFM staff. The goals are to provide factual and reliable information to students and to prevent possible harm from gambling.

Audience
Grade 7 and 8 students.

Description
This fun one-hour session fits with the middle years school curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore such areas as risk taking, decision making, coping skills, problem solving, harm reduction, randomness and odds. Learning points include:

definition of gambling
myths related to gambling
how gambling works
signs of problem gambling
information on AFM's gambling services

Problem Gambling Workshop for the Immigrant Community Educators & Helpers

Purpose
The purpose of this workshop is to assist the immigrant community educators and helpers by increasing their awareness and knowledge about the problem gambling issues as well as the basic skills in dealing with the problem gambling situations in their community.

Audience
Immigrant community members who are active in their community as helpers or educators (volunteer or paid positions).

Description
This 6 hours workshop consists of topics on:

An overview of the current gambling situation
Gambling and addictions
How gambling games really work
Common gambling myths and beliefs
Problem gambling signs
Effects of problem gambling
What community helpers can do to help?
Resources available for people who experience problems with gambling

Tuition
None

To Register
Click here if you wish to download a workshop registration form.