EGM use and other factors that predict gambling and problem gambling in Canada

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Author(s): Williams, Robert J. ; Leonard, Carrie A. ; Belanger, Yale D. ; Christensen, Darren R. ; el-Guebaly, Nady ; Hodgins, David C. ; McGrath, Daniel S. ; Nicoll, Fiona ; Smith, Garry J. ; Stevens, Rhys M. G.

Journal: Canadian Journal of Public Health

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: March 05, 2021

Few studies have looked at the prevalence of problem gambling in Canada. This study examined who experiences problem gambling in Canada and what factors are most strongly linked to problem gambling. The researchers included a short gambling survey in the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey. They found that many factors were linked to gambling and problem gambling. However, electronic gaming machine (EGM) use was the strongest factor linked to problem gambling. Additionally, provinces with more EGMs also had higher rates of problem gambling. The researchers suggest restricting access to EGMs to reduce harm from gambling.

Citation: Williams, R. J., Leonard, C. A., Belanger, Y. D., Christensen, D. R., el-Guebaly, N., Hodgins, D. C. … Stevens, R. M. G. (2021). Predictors of gambling and problem gambling in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 112(3), 521-529. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00443-x

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00443-x

Keywords: demographics ; Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) ; gambling ; problem gambling

Topics: Game Types ; Information for Operators ; Slots and VLTs

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Social Demographics ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: Overall response rate = 58.4% (45,636 households were eligible and CCHS surveys were obtained from 26,648 of them. Note that the Gambling Module was only completed by 24,982 people, as it was only administered to participants who were at least 15 years old).

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Individuals aged 18 and older who live in one of the 10 provinces of Canada (n= 23, 952)

Sampling Procedure: The survey was administered by Statistics Canada as part of the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Statistics Canada selected households from different regions to provide a representative sample of the population, and then randomly selected one individual from each household to participate. The Gambling Module of the CCHS survey was restricted to individuals aged 15 and older (n=24,982). In this study, the researchers focused on individuals aged 18 and older (n = 23,952)

Related Resources:

The AGRI National Project: Online Panel Study

Study Funding:

This study received funding from the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research (CCGR), the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Gambling Research Exchange (GREO), and Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI).