This study examined changes in gambling behavior before and after the introduction of a legalized, state-operated gambling site. Espacejeux is a legal online gambling site offered to residents in Québec, Canada. It was introduced in 2010 and run by Québec’s state monopoly operator. Findings suggest that the introduction of Espacejeux did not alter gambling participation. The prevalence of online gambling remained stable before and after its opening. The majority of players continued to use unregulated sites to gamble online.
This study suggests that governments should consider ways to improve how they regulate online gambling. For example, they could introduce a licensing system for all existing sites. Longitudinal research is also needed to understand the long-term impact of legalizing online gambling.
