City To Host Safe Gambling Event

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 15 December 2011 03:32

People can learn to have fun gambling ---without losing their shirt--- at a Vernon event in the new year. The city of Vernon and BC Lotteries are sponsoring 'Responsible Gambling Awareness Week' January 14th to the 20th.  Annette Sharkey, executive director of the North Okanagan Social Planning Council, says there will be several events, including Myth Buster information kiosks.  "There will be a lot of information about resources, but more importantly some interactive games and things that bring people to the table so they can learn a bit about the myths. For instance, there's a marble game that explains what the true statistics are on slot machines.We want people to start to learn about responsible gambling, what the true odds are when you choose to gamble recreationally, and to start thinking about setting your limits." Sharkey  says certain people are more prone to problems.  "Some of those at risk groups in our community are young people, seniors, and First Nations, so we want to make sure we really hit those target groups, get them engaged and get them involved." Sharkey says volunteers are needed to be facilitators at the kiosks.  "And they're going to be located at Okanagan College, the Schubert Centre, Village Green Centre, and the First Nations Friendship Centre, so we're really hoping we can get people who are energetic, really love to teach, and want to learn more about responsible gambling, to come on board and help us." Anyone interested can get more information from the North Okanagan Employment Enhancement Society at 250 545 0585 (ext 224), or email lynn@noees.com .