Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use
COSTI's Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use Services include a range of comprehensive, culturally and linguistically appropriate solutions. We provide prevention, education, and treatment options for individuals and their family members, facing gambling issues. These services are available in Arabic, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Italian, Malayalam, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrigna, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
The program currently targets ethno-specific communities where diverse languages are spoken such as Hindi, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Sinhalese, Tagalog, Tamil, and Vietnamese. The program works collaboratively with ethno-specific agencies and the Canadian Association for Mental Health Services to deliver prevention activities in the various ethno-cultural communities. Treatment services are client centered and easy to access.
COSTI's Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Services, uses a model of intervention that is culturally based and linguistically appropriate, incorporating a harm reduction approach, and motivational, cognitive, behavioural and solution-focused counselling.
Read more about COSTI's Problem Gambling Services, in COSTI and the Community.
New! A family resource is also available. Parents can access our Healthy Gaming Tips e-module here.
Services Available
- Individual, couple, family and group counselling for people with problem gambling or those affected by a problem gambler
- Psycho-social assessment
- Telephone counselling
- Referrals to credit counselling and other services not available at COSTI
- Family education and support groups
- Outreach and public education promoting awareness and prevention within various ethno-cultural communities.
- Assisting other ethnocultural groups with the issue of problem gambling, using a community development approach, which utilizes a variety of prevention and educational strategies, including print media to place advertisements in local community newspapers, broadcast media, and the production of written resource materials, to address the issue of problem gambling in the targeted ethnocultural communities.
Staff at this location speak English, Italian and Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Hindi, Malayalam, Russian, Swahili, Tigrigna, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
For Problem Gambling Services in French, please contact CAMH Problem Gambling Service at 416.599.1322 or Toll free in Ontario at 1.888.647.4414 Email: gambling@camh.net
Pour des services en français concernant des problèmes de dépendance au jeu, veuillez communiquer avec le Service du jeu problématique de CAMH, au : 416.599.1322, ou sans frais en Ontario au : 1.888.647.4414 Courriel : gambling@camh.net
Who is Eligible
Services are available to all ethnocultural communities residing in Toronto and York Region.
Program Intake
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Contact Details for:
Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use
Phone: Toll Free Number: 1.866.222.9993
Email: gamblingservices@costi.org
This Program is Located at:
Sheridan Mall, 1700 Wilson Avenue, Suite 105
Toronto, ON M3L 1B2
Phone: 416.244.7714 | famcounselling@costi.org
There is no fee for this service.
COSTI's Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Services are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Addictions Program, Mental Health and Addictions Branch.
Related Resources
View Workshop Calendars
Does Someone You Know Have a Gambling Problem?
Here are some of the signs to look for:
- Neglecting family and work responsibilities
- Lying
- Secretive about finances
- Argumentative
- Irritable, restless or unable to concentrate
- Anxious and/or depressed
- Promising to stop and then gambling again
- Increasing time and money spent on gambling
- Disinterested in other social activities
- Preoccupied with gambling
- Convinced past losses can be won back
- Increasing alcohol or other drug use
- Disappearing for long periods of time
- Committing illegal acts (forgery, fraud, embezzlement) to get money.
New Beginnings: Problem Gambling Awareness Kit for Newcomers in Ethnocultural Communities
For more information click here.
You Didn’t Know There Was a Gambling Problem in Your Family
If you have just discovered a problem, the gambling may be out of control. Your family’s financial resources and the trust that holds your relationship together have been seriously damaged. Do not blame yourself for the problems that have been created or for not connecting the signs to a problem. An important first step is to take immediate action to preserve your family’s remaining financial resources. Financial problems related to problem gambling can be complicated, so it is important to talk with someone who is knowledgeable about debt management. Depending on your individual situation you may need to consult with a lawyer to understand your legal rights and financial obligations.
Next it is important to explore how problem gambling can affect you as a family member. You may be feeling overwhelmed betrayed, financially devastated, emotionally drained, depressed and frightened for the future. Thoughts and feelings of this nature are common when first addressing the complex issues that arise as a result of a gambling problem. Take the time you need to sort through these feelings. Believe it or not there are solutions to what might, now, appear to be insurmountable problems. Change is made in small steps-every small step is progress toward making things better.
Whether you are living with a gambling problem, or if you have just discovered a problem in your family, it is important that you look after yourself.
The following are some suggestions of things you can do for yourself:
- Finding ways to relax by doing something you enjoy
- Defining your own boundaries may be a source of relief
- Go for a physical check up
- Join a support group or attend ongoing counselling. Counselling can assist you and your family in beginning to take action to repair relationships and to regain a sense of personal security. It may help you regain a sense of control in your life.
