Pause Before You Play

Before You Gamble, Know the Risks

For some, gambling can impact their relationships and family life. It’s important to know the risks of gambling and the warning signs that can indicate if you or a loved one is struggling with problem gambling.

What is Problem Gambling?

Key Findings from the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Study

A recent survey conducted by the Turks & Caicos Gaming Commission based on data from participants provides key insights into gambling behaviors in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

• Prevalence: Daily gamblers (6% of participants) reported significant financial and relationship impacts, with problem gambling rates exceeding global rates.

• Gender Disparities: Males tend to gamble more frequently than females.

• Age and Gambling Type: Casino gambling is the most prevalent type of gambling for both younger (52%) and older (45%) adults, but older adults are more likely to engage in lottery gambling (22%).

• Borrowing Money: 12% of respondents admitted to borrowing money to gamble.

• Lying: 12% of respondents also admitted to lying to family or friends about their gambling.

Responsible Gaming Practices

The detrimental effects that gambling can have on individuals and the community can be lessened by putting responsible gaming practices into place. The following are ways to play it safe:

Set limits on the time and money you are willing to spend and stick to them. Take breaks while gambling.
Never borrow money to gamble. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, 58% of daily gamblers reported borrowing money, indicating a significant financial impact.
Educate yourself on how games work.
View gambling as entertainment, not as a way to make money.

The "Pause Before You Play" Campaign

The Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission is leading a comprehensive, two-year “Pause Before You Play” campaign. The initiative uses tailored messages and evidence-based tools to promote safer gambling practices and reduce harm across the islands.

Campaign Goals

The campaign aims to educate all players about the risks and warning signs of problem gambling and guide at-risk individuals to support services. It also seeks to normalize help-seeking behavior.

Target Audience

The campaign targets a wide range of people, including the general population, youth, families, and high-risk subgroups like frequent players and lottery gamblers.

Multilingual Approach

Recognizing the cultural diversity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, all digital and print materials will be translated into major local languages, including English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish, to ensure clarity and build trust.

Key Messages

The campaign will highlight the combined risks of mixing gambling with alcohol, define clear warning signs of problem play, and encourage players to set limits and use self-assessment tools like the “Rate Your Risk” online quiz.

Social responsibility

Gambling operators and regulators have a responsibility to contribute to the welfare of society. Emphasizing responsible gaming allows them to fulfill this duty by minimizing the potential negative impacts of gambling on individuals, families, and communities.

Sustaining the industry

By promoting responsible gaming practices, the gambling industry can maintain its reputation and sustainability. It helps create a safe and trustworthy environment, which can attract new players and retain existing ones, contributing to the long-term success of the industry.

Warning Signs

There are warning signs that may indicate you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling. These can include:

Feeling you have a gaming problem (12% of respondents in the study felt this way).
Trying to stop gambling but being unable to (17% of respondents).
Lying to family or friends about gambling (12% of respondents).
Missing work or school due to gambling (5% of respondents).
Experiencing relationship problems because of gambling (11% of respondents).

Help is Available

If you or a loved one is struggling with problem gambling, seeking help is crucial. The literature reports that help-seeking behavior for gambling issues can vary from less than 1% to 34%. The 2018 Gaming Ordinance in the Turks and Caicos Islands calls for the establishment of a Problem Gambling Committee to provide educational materials and conduct research. While in-person interventions and helplines are in their formative stages in the Turks and Caicos Islands, international helplines and online resources are available:

Gamblers Anonymous

A global fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to help solve their common problem. They have meetings in various locations worldwide.

Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Gambling Therapy

A free, global online service offering practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling. They provide a live text-based helpline and have multilingual forums.

Website: https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/

GamCare

A UK-based charity that operates the National Gambling Helpline and offers support and treatment tools, including live chat and an online community. Their website also lists international support contacts for many countries.

Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/

International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG)

This organization conducts research and provides resources on gambling disorders. They have a “Get Help” section on their website.

Website: https://www.icrg.org/

National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)

A US-based organization that provides a helpline network and resources for individuals with gambling problems.

Website: https://www.ncpgambling.org/