Anne Varak / CC
Some new numbers about gambling in Canada.
A new study finds that 64 per cent of Canadians, 15 and older, gambled at least one in 2018.
Those 45 to 64 were the most active, with 72 per cent taking part in some form of gambling.
Buying a lottery or raffle ticket is the most common gambling activity, followed by instant win tickets and lottery games, and video lottery terminals.
Men were most likely to gamble on sports while women were bigger fans of bingo.
The study also revealed that people from lower-income households are more vulnerable to gambling problems despite being less likely to gamble.
StatsCan found the number of gamblers in low-income households fell to 54 per cent but had a greater percentage of those with a moderate-to-severe risk of gambling problems.
Because their incomes are low to start, the report says even modest spending on gambling can impact on other expenses like rent, food and other essentials.
The study was conducted prior to the pandemic and before a change in gambling laws that permit single-event sports betting.
Comments