Problem Gambling - Gambling Statistics
What's up in Ontario?
| - | 4.8% or 453,000 adults in Ontario have a gambling problem. This is 1 in every 21 persons. |
| - | 4.6 to 6.4% of older adults (55+) have gambling problems. |
| - | 7% of young adults age 18-24 self identify a problem with gambling. This is twice the rate of the adult population. |
| - | 25,000-30,000 young people are problem gamblers (see section on youth). |
| - | 9.6% or 860,000 persons in Ontario are at risk of developing a problem. |
| - | 80% of problem gamblers in Ontario cite slot machines as their problem. |
| - | Each pathological gambler costs the community $56,000 in health care, social costs and other costs. |
| - | In 2003-04 the overall revenue from Ontario casinos, racetrack slots, lotteries, and tickets was $5.7 B. Net income to the province was $2.28 B. |
| - | 36% of the revenue from gambling in Ontario comes from 5% of the gamblers (problem gamblers). |
| - | $530 M was spent by the Ontario Government in 2004 promoting gambling. |
| - | $36 million was allocated by the province last year for treatment, research and prevention. $22 Million was actually spent for these purposes and the rest was redirected elsewhere by the government. |
| - | Illegal gambling is on the rise as we become more tolerant of gambling in general. |
| - | For every $100 spent on legal gambling, $152 is spent on illegal gambling in Ontario. |
| - | There are estimated to be 100 illegal gambling dens in Southwestern Ontario, often used by young adult males. |
| - | 1.1 million persons in Canada are problem gamblers. |
| - | The more accessible a gambling venue the higher the percentage of people in that area with a problem. |
| - | 30% of people in Ontario do not consider bingo to be gambling. |
On a per capita basis the South Western Ontario region had the highest rate of use of problem gambling treatment programs-almost double the provincial average.
There is a connection between gambling problems and physical and emotional health problems. About 25% of problem gamblers are under a physician's care for health problems due to stress and 6.1% of severe problem gamblers have considered suicide.
The proportion of Ontario adults who report having an alcohol or drug problem is 6.1% for non-gamblers and 24.2% for those with severe gambling problems.
Although slot machines are the preferred form of gambling for problem gamblers of both sexes there are differences in other types of gambling. Men are drawn to action gambling such as cards, horses, sports. Women prefer passive gambling like tickets and bingo.
The above information was resourced from the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, the Responsible Gambling Council, the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the CBC, and The Ottawa Citizen.
Gambling Warning Signs
Some of the warning signs of problem gambling are:
| • | Gambling to cope with loneliness, depression, stress or boredom. |
| • | Gambling to make money or to make ends meet. |
| • | Gambling with more and more money. |
| • | Gambling more frequently and losing interest in other activities or responsibilities. |
| • | Trying to win back the money you have lost. |
| • | Having some big wins early on and believing that this will continue. |
| • | Being secretive about your gambling or lying to others to hide your gambling. |
If you recognize some of these signs in yourself or someone else, whether you are ready or not give us a call at (519) 673-3242 ext *236 or click lgriffith@adstv.on.ca to e-mail our gambling intake worker. Feel free to contact us by email to learn about our current groups.
Problem Gambling Screen Test
This assessment tool was created by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Take a test drive (quiz) and see just where you stand ..
