Popularity of Internet Gambling Grows in Canada

 
The study, produced by Dr. Jamie Wiebe for the Responsible Gambling Council, demonstrates that among 18 to 24-year-olds, the number of people gambling online has increased from 1.4 percent in 2001 to 5.5 percent today.
 
The report also provides evidence that the hysteria over problem gambling on the Internet – particularly among some rigid governmental officials -- may be overwrought.
 
Based in Toronto, the Responsible Gambling Council is an independent, non-profit organization committed to problem gambling prevention. The RGC designs -- and delivers -- effective awareness programs. The group also promotes best practices in problem gambling prevention through research and information for online and conventional casino operators.
 
Though the overall numbers for Internet gambling remain low relative to conventional casino gambling, the number of those gambling online has nearly tripled from 0.7 percent in 2001 to 1.7 percent today.
 
“This is a snapshot of gambling and problem gambling in Ontario,” said Jon Kelly, chief executive officer of the Responsible Gambling Council.
 
Overall, problem gambling rates in Ontario are “relatively unchanged” since 2001. What is more, in some instances, problem gambling has even dropped, amongst a particular age cohort.  The prevalence of problem gambling among adults 50 to 59 years old has dramatically “decreased” from 4.5 percent to 2 percent.
 
And, in good news for online casino owners, those who like to gamble online are doing so more frequently. The study evidences “significant increases” in weekly participation in casino slots, card/board games, casino table games, and sports betting.
 

More Time Online

 
What is more, Internet gamblers are also spending more time online, with 25 percent gambling weekly; and 12.7 percent gambling daily. The average Internet gambler spends about 3.5 hours a month gambling online, the study said. 
 
Non-problem gamblers spend approximately two hours a month gambling online, the study said.
On average, non-problem gamblers spend 1.5 percent of their personal income on gambling.
 
A total of 3,604 Ontario adults, 18-years-old and over, participated in the telephone poll. The study, which was funded under a grant from the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Center, and was designed to determine the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in Ontario, describe the personality traits of those experiencing gambling-related problems and compare trends with the 2001 gambling prevalence study. The entire study is available online at www.responsiblegambling.org .


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