STANDARDS AND CRITERIA A-1

Gambling Information Specialist

  1. Applicants may be certified subject to the following education and experience requirements: Required Experience (including paid and unpaid experience)

The applicant must have a total of 2500 hours within 5 years prior toapplication.

  • A minimum of 350 of these hours must be direct service to people concerned about their gambling or people they know.
  • A minimum of 2150 hours may be indirect servicesto people concerned about their gambling or people they know.

Direct Service: providing information about safe play; myths around gambling; key gambling concepts; and realistic chances of winning and losing. Direct service will also include providing assistance and referral to those concerned about their gambling or someone they know. This service can be provided in person or by phone.

Indirect Service: maintaining the daily operation of the Service; relationship building with treatment providers, gaming venue personnel (if applicable), other support services; report writing; research; professional development; preparation for events; staff meetings and any other service or work that enhances the direct service to individuals.

Required Education

  • An applicant must complete 36 hours of approved gambling specific education as defined in the core curriculum. (Review Core Curriculum Section A-2).
  • This must be completed within 5 years prior to application. Applicants must provide verification of attendance / completion of education hours.
  • Education hours may include university or college courses or any approved professional training in gambling education and referral.
  • Courses must meet the content and hour requirement outlined in the core curriculum. (Link A-4)
  1. An applicant will be expected to abide by the Gambling Information Specialist Code of Ethics. See Application Instructions Form for download.
  2. To maintain certification, Gambling Information Specialists must be recertified every two years with evidence of 14 hours of approved and verified continuing education. Seven of these hours must be gambling specific and may include education opportunities such as conferences, workshops, webinars, online courses, seminars and post-secondary course work. The remaining seven hours may be in related education such as customer service, crisis management or another topic acceptable to the Board.

APPROVED GAMBLING SPECIFIC EDUCATION

Please list the approved education sessions in the area of gambling specific education

obtained within the last five years immediately prior to date of application (minimum of

36 hours of approved education).

Provide a list for each education session and verification of attendance including title of session, date and number of hours.

CORE CURRICULUM A-2

The content listed below must be gambling specific.

1)Basic Knowledge and How Gambling Works04 hours

Knowledge of the history of gambling and types of gambling. An understanding of why people gamble and the concepts of gambling such as randomness, intermittent reinforcement, house advantage and cost of play. Relevant definitions and terminology, values and beliefs about gambling and people who gamble, as well as a knowledge of the significant literature in the field.

2)Information and Referral04 hours

How to engage pre-contemplative and contemplative people; making referrals to problem gambling counsellors; referrals to other allied professionals such as credit counseling, food banks, etc. An understanding of how problem gambling counseling works when an inidivual chooses it.

3)Engagement and Communication04 hours

Effective communication techniques, using brief Motivational Interviewing to establish immediate rapport and trust in the helping relationship.

4)Effects On The Family03 hours

Knowledge of the effects of gambling on the family and family dynamics and of appropriate supports (counseling, financial counseling, legal services) available to the family. Explore basic communication skills and coping skills for the family member(s). Knowledge of resources for family members including self-help information and professional referral sources.

5)Concurrent Disorders03 hours

Knowledge of the signs and indicators ofother addictive disorders such as alcohol and other drugs, eating disorders, sex addiction. Basic knowledge of co-occurring mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, bi-polar, etc. Awareness of other behavioural excesses/process addictions such as internet gaming, shopping, internet overuse, etc and their connections with gambling.

6)Finances04 hours

Tips and strategies to minimize financial loss when gambling (prevention messages). Knowledge of credit counselling services and options including consumer proposals and bankruptcy.

7)Cultural Issues & Specific Populations03 hours

Knowledge of cultural values and attitudes as it pertains to gambling, problematic gambling, finances or spiritual concerns and knowledge regarding high risk populations.

8)Ethics03 hours

Knowledge and understanding of the Personal Code and Ethical Standards for Gambling Information Specialists.

9)Crisis Management05 hours

Training in crisis management and suicide prevention. How to identify and respond to people at immediate risk of suicide. Appropriate resources to refer to. Knowledge of crisis counseling, brief interventions, motivational interviewing.

10)Resources03 hours

  • Self-Exclusion Programs
  • Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon
  • EAP
  • OnLine Self-Help tools and resources
  • Local Problem Gambling Helpline
  • Other resources as appropriate

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS A-3

1.Communication

The Gambling Information Specialist will have excellent communication skills as they will be expected to communicate with a variety of individuals, casino staff and other groups in the community.

Applicants will have specific knowledge and skills to be able to:

  • Connect with individuals and their family members in a non-judgmental and empathetic manner.
  • Have the ability to communicate in a calm and reassuring fashion when dealing with individuals or their family members in a crisis situation.
  • Be seen as very approachable in their particular work environment and in the community when participating in community events.

2. Knowledge of safer gambling strategies, prevention and referral sources

Applicants will have knowledge of:

  • A history of the social impact of gambling.
  • A variety of safer gambling strategies, i.e. be able to provide individuals with
  • Information on house advantage, randomness, independent events, etc.
  • Crisis management skills and short term assistance models of helping.
  • Extensive knowledge of gambling services in the community i.e. professional support and self-help strategies available.
  • Self-exclusion policies.
  • Networking skills to be able to provide a community linkage role.
  • Prevention and awareness skills and to be comfortable sharing responsible gambling information to the general public.

3.Administration

  • Have excellent computer skills to be able to comply with record keeping procedures.