Illegal gambling in Canada: Prevalence and predictors

View Abstract View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Mackey-Simpkin, Sean ; Williams, Robert J. ; Shaw, Carrie A. ; Russell, Gillian E. H.

Journal: International Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: February 09, 2023

Most types of gambling have been legal in Canada for the past thirty years, although this has not always been the case. It is difficult to establish the rate of illegal gambling in Canada as no prevalence studies have been conducted. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence rate of illegal gambling in Canada. The researchers were also interested in examining the predictors of illegal gambling in Canada. The researchers surveyed over 10,000 Canadians who had gambled at least once every month. They found that the prevalence rate of illegal gambling was very low, varying from 0.05% to 1.59% depending on the type of illegal gambling. Several significant predictors of illegal gambling were identified, including engaging in more types of gambling, gambling more frequently, and having problem gambling.

Citation: Mackey-Simpkin, S., Williams, R. J., Shaw, C. A., & Russell, G. E. H. (2022). Prevalence and predictors of illegal gambling in Canada. International Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2022.2149833

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2022.2149833

Keywords: gambling ; illegal gambling ; online gambling ; problem gambling

Topics: Online Gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Gambling Environment ; Social - Deviance ; Environment - Public Policy ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Canadian adults who had gambled at least once a month in the past 12 months (n = 10,199)

Sampling Procedure: Voluntary response sampling: participants were recruited through Leger Opinion (LEO) in 2018. Only people who reported on the initial screening question that they had gambled at least once a month in the past 12 months were eligible.

Study Funding:

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