Gambling in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians

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

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: May 19, 2021

This study examined survey results of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to compare their gambling behaviour. The researchers found that Indigenous Canadians were more likely to gamble on electronic gaming machines (EGMs), bingo, and instant lotteries than non-Indigenous Canadians. They were also more likely to experience problem gambling. However, the risk factors for problem gambling were similar in both groups. For example, EGM use was the strongest risk factor for problem gambling in both groups. The researchers suggest that there should be fewer EGMs in regions with high numbers of Indigenous people.

Citation: Williams, R. J., Belanger, Y. D., Leonard, C. A., Stevens R. M. G., Christensen, D. R., el-Guebaly, N., Hodgins, D. C., & McGrath, D. S. (2021). Indigenous gambling and problem gambling in Canada. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10022-5

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10022-5

Keywords: Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) ; Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) ; gambling ; Indigenous peoples ; problem gambling

Topics: Aboriginal and First Nations ; Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) ; Cultural Factors ; Game Types ; Information for Operators ; Priority Populations ; Slots and VLTs

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Cultural - Indigenous Groups ; Cultural Factors

Response Rate: Response rate for the specific version of the CCHS used here was 58.4% N=23,952 (23,952/41,013=58.4%) - of the 23,952 survey respondents, 1324 identified as Indigenous Response rate for the online panel survey (through Leger Opinion) is unknown, N=10,199 - of the 10,199 respondents, 589 identified as Indigenous

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Adults (18+) who live in Canada (n = 23,952 from the 2018 CCHS, 1324 self-identified as Indigenous; n = 10,199 from the online survey, 589 self-identified as Indigenous).

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), which is sent to 65,000 Canadians (12 years old or older) each year. The researchers used a subset of participants who were 18+ and who had completed the version of the survey with the Gambling Module. They also used an online survey sent to Canadians who were members of Leger Opinion (a large online panel with over 400,000 members). This survey only included people who gambled in the past year. They continuously sent out the survey until they reached a sample size of at least 10,000.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research (CCGR), the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO), and the Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI).