Potential consequences of internet gambling on the youth population
In recent years, online gambling among young people in Canada has become an increasingly prevalent issue. A study conducted in New Jersey in 2023 found that nearly 19% of 18- to 24-year-olds qualified as having a gambling problem, exhibiting behaviors like betting beyond affordability and chasing losses. While these statistics are from the United States, they often serve as indicators of trends in similar populations in Canada.
Teachers in some regions have reported that gambling is widespread among male high school students aged about 15. These students discuss bets, odds, and even engage in betting facilitated by parents or covertly. A UK survey from 2024 found that about a quarter of 11- to 17-year-olds spent money on gambling in the past year, and 45% of this age group frequently encountered gambling advertising on social media. This parallels concerns about exposure in Canadian youth.
Research indicates that youths under 25 are particularly vulnerable to gambling promotions and increasingly exposed to gambling-like activities, such as loot boxes in video games, which blur the lines of conventional gambling and raise risks.
The potential risks associated with online gambling for young people are significant. Problem gambling can lead to addiction, mental health issues, financial harm, and social and developmental impacts. Young people have a heightened risk of developing compulsive gambling behavior, which can cause financial problems, legal issues, and relationship breakdowns. Problem gambling among young adults is linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation.
In the context of Canada, Ontario, one of the provinces, has seen year-over-year growth in online gambling since its regulated launch in 2022. Although specific youth gambling metrics are not detailed, the growth in online gambling availability increases access and potential youth exposure. Given that Canadian youth are exposed to similar media and online environments as their U.S. and UK counterparts, along with local reports of rising gambling problems in youth treatment providers, it is reasonable to infer that online gambling is similarly widespread among young Canadians with significant associated risks.
The normalization and trivialization of gambling and betting in Quebec are concerns. Loto-Quebec, the provincial gaming authority, insists that they only address an adult audience. However, there is a lack of oversight in their advertising practices, and calls have been made for greater regulation to protect young people from exposure to gambling content.
Reports of gambling addiction among young people are on the rise, with stories of young people losing large sums of money and struggling with the consequences. Psychologists and interventionists have expressed concern about the situation, fearing that it will deteriorate if there is no new reflection on our relationship with gambling due to online accessibility.
In conclusion, online gambling is a growing concern among young people in Canada. The risks associated with problem gambling are significant, including addiction, mental health issues, financial harm, and social and developmental impacts. Regulatory changes enabling the growth of the online gambling market may increase accessibility for youth, emphasizing the importance of awareness and preventative measures.
- The government should address the issue of increasing online gambling among young people in Canada, considering the potential risks such as addiction, mental health problems, and financial harm.
- In light of the rising concerns about gambling among young people in Ontario, education-and-self-development programs could be incorporated into school curricula to educate students about the dangers and potential risks of gambling, alongside the promotion of casino-and-gambling regulation that protects minors.
