Gambling Awareness Program for Students Extended

N.S. GAMING CORP.--Gambling Awareness Program for Students Extended

Know the Score, an interactive, peer-led program designed to give students between the ages of 19 and 24 the facts about gambling, will be offered at six post-secondary institutions across Nova Scotia in January and February.

The announcement, made today, Jan. 13, by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and the Responsible Gambling Council, follows positive results from two pilot programs conducted at Dalhousie University and the University College of Cape Breton during Responsible Gaming Awareness Week in October 2004. Over a four- day period, more than 2,000 students at these schools took part in the program.

"The success of the two pilots confirm that Know the Score is an effective way to get accurate information about gambling out to people in this age group, who studies suggest are at a higher risk of developing gambling problems," said Marie Mullally, president and CEO of the gaming corporation. "By extending the program to other campuses across the province, we are working to heighten awareness, a key factor in the prevention of gambling problems."

In post-program surveys, 82 per cent of respondents said their participation in the Know the Score program increased their awareness of the risks associated with gambling, while 88 per cent said they had gained awareness of places they could turn if they required help to control their gambling.

Know the Score dispels some common myths regarding odds and randomness, shares signs of problem gambling, tells students where they can get help with gambling-related problems, and highlights ways to limit risks. The program uses a highly visible booth located on campus. Through it, students are encouraged to participate in a quiz that tests their knowledge about gambling. A trained student talks to the quiz taker in a dialogue about the answers, ensuring that the participant understands the correct information.

"We have found that bringing the interactive information to students in their everyday environment is the most effective way of reaching them," said Laurie Bell, director of prevention programs for the Responsible Gambling Council, the non-profit organization that created the program. "We're looking forward to extending the program to other schools in Nova Scotia in the year ahead."

Know the Score will be available:

• Jan. 17-20 at Nova Scotia Agricultural College (Truro) and Nova Scotia Community College, Marconi Campus (Sydney);
• Feb. 7-10 at Saint Mary's University (Halifax) and Acadia University (Wolfville);
• Feb. 14-17 at St. Francis Xavier University (Antigonish)and Nova Scotia Community College, Lunenburg Campus (Bridgewater).

For more information about Know the Score in Nova Scotia, contact the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation at 902-424-2203.