Reports
Author(s): Leger
Publisher: Independent Gambling Control Office
Year Published: 2026
Date Added: June 22, 2026
Resource Type: Research report
This report presents the findings of a study of the prevalence of gambling, risk of problem gambling, and harm in British Columbia. The study provides a view of the impacts of recent shifts in gambling, such as the growth of online gambling, expansion of single-event sports betting, and the increasing exposure to unregulated gambling platforms. Over 4,000 British Columbian adults and almost 350 youth age 16 to 18 completed an online survey. Reponses related to awareness of supports and safer gambling are also summarized. The findings are intended to inform policy, safer gambling programs, and public health planning. Key findings include:19% of adults were at moderate or high-risk of problem gambling.1% reported severe harm, 6% reported high harm, and 18% of adults who gamble reported mild harm.Proportion of residents who reported gambling online increased from 22% to 42%.Problem gambling was elevated among several demographic groups (young adults, people experiencing financial strain, newcomers, Indigenous and racialized residents, people with disabilities, caregivers, and people who gamble more online and on illegal sites).62% of youth 16 to 18 years old engaged one or more types of gambling in the past year.29% of youth were at high risk of problem gambling and 19% were at moderate risk.
This report presents the findings of a study of the prevalence of gambling, risk of problem gambling, and harm in British Columbia. The study provides a view of the impacts of recent shifts in gambling, such as the growth of online gambling, expansion of single-event sports betting, and the increasing exposure to unregulated gambling platforms. Over 4,000 British Columbian adults and almost 350 youth age 16 to 18 completed an online survey. Reponses related to awareness of supports and safer gambling are also summarized. The findings are intended to inform policy, safer gambling programs, and public health planning.
Key findings include:
