This infographic looks at gambling and gambling problems among people aged 15 or older, using data from the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey, Gambling Rapid Response. It looks at the characteristics of Canadians who reported gambling in the past year, the type of gambling activities they participated in, as well as persons who are at a higher risk of developing a gambling problem.
Description - Gambling in Canada
In 2018, 64% of Canadians aged 15 or older reported gambling at least once in the previous year. Gambling was more common among those aged 45 to 64 than in the other age groups. Males were more likely than females to have gambled in the previous year, regardless of age.
| Age group | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 69% | 60% |
| 15 to 24 years | 48% | 40% |
| 25 to 44 years | 69% | 60% |
| 45 to 64 years | 76% | 68% |
| 65 years or older | 71% | 61% |
Some gambling activities were more popular among males than females, such as lottery or raffle tickets. Other activities, like instant win lottery or online games, were more popular among females.
| Type of gambling activity | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery or raffle tickets | 55% | 48% |
| Instant win lottery or online games | 31% | 35% |
| Electronic gambling machines | 13% | 12% |
| Casino table games | 10% | 5% |
| Sports betting | 12% | 4% |
| Bingo | 2% | 6% |
| Speculative financial market activities | 6% | 1% |
The vast majority of Canadians who reported gambling in the previous year were not problem gamblers.
| Risk level for problem gambling | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| No gambling problems | 94% | 96% |
| Low risk of problem gambling | 4% | 3% |
| Moderate to severe risk of problem gambling | 2% | 1% |
Did you know?
Persons at higher risk of developing a gambling problem were more likely to have participated in multiple types of gambling activities, to be unmarried (single, or divorced or separated), and to have fair or poor mental health, among other factors.
Source: Rotermann, M. and H. Gilmour. 2022. “Who gambles and who experiences gambling problems in Canada.” Insights on Canadian Society. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X
Contact information
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