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In Canada and the United States, the majority of underage youth (60-80%) report gambling at least once in the last year (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998; National Research Council, 1999; Shaffer & Hall, 1999).

In the Montreal region, approximately 4-6% of youth who gamble experience serious problems and 10-15% would be considered at-risk for the development of a gambling problem (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998). However, the majority of youth who gamble do not experience problems related to their gambling.

Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gamblers are reported to be approximately 2 to 4 times that of adults (Derevensky & Gupta, 2004; Jacobs, 2004; National Research Council, 1999).

More adolescents engage in gambling than in other potentially addictive behaviours (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998).

Adolescent problem gamblers are more likely to report depression, suicidal thoughts and attempt, and low self-esteem on self-reported screens compared to non-gamblers (Gupta & Derevensky, 2000, 2002; Hardoon, Gupta, & Derevensky, 2002; Nower, Derevensky, & Gupta, 2000).

Adolescent problem gamblers are more likely to report petty crimes, delinquent behaviours, and disrupted familial relationships (Derevensky & Gupta, 2004; Hardoon, Derevensky & Gupta, 2002).

Adolescent problem gamblers are more likely to report engaging in multiple co-ocurring addictive behaviours (smoking, drinking, drug use/abuse) compared to non-gamblers (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998; Vitaro, Ferland, Jacques, & Ladouceur, 1998).

Adolescent problems gamblers are more likely to report experiencing difficulties in school including truancy and poor grades (Hardoon, Gupta, & Derevensky, 2002; Ladouceur et al., 1999).

Results from the Quebec Survey of Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs & Gambling in High School Students - 2002

Approximately 51% of secondary school students in Quebec report having gambled on either state-operated games or private games at least once in the 12 months preceding the survey.

Within state-operated games, the frequency of play among females and males was relatively equal: 42% of secondary school boys and 45% of secondary school girls report having participated in the last 12 months. However, boys are more likely to participate in private games than girls: 40% vs 24% respectively. Instant lottery tickets (37.3%) and card games (21%) were the two most common game choices among the total sample.

Francophone speaking youth in the survey were less likely to gamble on a regular basis (8%) compared to students speaking a language other than French (11%).

Click here for direct link to Quebec Survey

Types of Gambling Popular among Youth

The preferred type of gambling activity among young "regular" gamblers is dependent upon their age, the type of gambling opportunities available and accessibility, and legal-age restrictions. In general, young males tend to gamble on cards, sports pools, sporting events and wagering on games of skill, while young females tend to gamble on cards, lottery tickets, and bingo (Hardoon et al., 2002).

The lottery is the most preferred state or provincially-regulated forms of gambling activity for all adolescent gamblers (social and problem gamblers) (Quebec provincial survey). However, card games (e.g., poker) are the most popular private game played by youth.

Facts about the Gambling Industry

Gambling venues and revenues continue to grow throughout the world with resulting social consequences.

The four primary factors influencing the growth of the gambling industry:

Governments trying to identify new sources of revenue without invoking new or higher taxes;

Tourism and entrepreneurs developing new destinations for entertainment/leisure;

The rise of new technologies and forms of gambling (e.g., video lottery terminals or electronic gaming machines, internet gambling, telephone wagering) (Korn & Shaffer, 1999);

Widespread acceptability of gambling.

In Canada, net revenue from lotteries, VLTs, and casinos increased from $2.7 billion in 1992 to $11.3 billion in 2002, a growth rate of over 400% (Statistics Canada, 2003).

Corporate profits in the gaming entertainment industries continue to burgeon. In the United States, gross gambling revenues for 1996 were $47.6 billion, which was greater than the combined revenues of $40 billion from film box office, recorded music, cruise ships, spectator sports and live entertainment (Christiansen, 1998).

The gambling industry has responded to the growing concern of problems through the development of responsible gambling programs.

http://www.education.mcgill.ca/gambling/en/mediaroom.htm