Terry Elkady
SPECIAL TO THE ET CETERA

Student Richard Southcote (not his name) makes the short drive from North campus to Woodbine Race Track to play the slots and ponies a couple of times a week.

“I lose pretty much every single time,” said Southcote, a first-year student at North campus who said he averages weekly losses of around $100.

Southcote said he recalled one trip where he left class a little early to bet on the horses.

He said that after making his bet, his horse started acting strange behind the starting line and ended up dead last.

Southcote said that pretty much all of his experiences at Woodbine have been negative and are rarely profitable.

“I should probably stay away from it for a little bit,” he said.

Liz Sokol, the co-ordinator for counselling services for North campus said gambling is a serious matter that affects some students.

“One hundred to $200 a week is significant for a student,” said Sokol.

“One student was so involved that their life was at risk,” she said.

“It’s money that is going to waste, with interest,” said Sokol, referring to students who use OSAP toward gambling.

She said though gambling is an important issue for counselling services, it does not provide particular preventative approaches to gambling addiction.

However, Gamblers Anonymous comes to Humber once a year and counselling services works with them, said Sokol.

Students who need help can also contact Disability Services.

“If a student has been dealing with an addiction, then they can receive services from disability,” said co-ordinator Maureen Carnegie.

Services can include a reduced course load and support in modifying timetables, among others.

“Gambling is a big issue and can derail lives,” said Carnegie.

Carnegie said these issues often come to their attention unexpectedly.

“Sometimes through discussion with a counsellor, it comes out that ‘Hey, I like gambling and can’t make rent,’” she said.