Internet Gambling in Canada:Prevalence, Patterns, and Land-Based Comparisons

Dr. Robert Wood (presenter) Dr. Robert Williams (co-researcher)

University of Lethbridge

Pilot Study• Present study builds upon a 2004 pilot study, funded by

the Alberta Gaming Research Institute.

• Non-random sample of 1920 Internet gamblers recruited at Internet gambling portals, using banner advertisements.

• Survey assessed demographic characteristics, problem gambling status (CPGI), online gaming behavior, and general Internet activity.

Pilot Study High incidence of problem gambling.

o 42.7% either moderate (22.6%) or severe (20.1%) problem gamblers, according to the CPGI criteria.

Particular characteristics predictive (using logistic regression) of problem Internet gambling.o Time spent gambling / Male gender / African ancestry /

South and East Asian ancestry / Preference for Internet gambling over land-based gambling.

Reasons for preferring Internet gambling were primarily related to convenience, comfort, and ease (compared to land-based gambling).

Pilot Study Pilot study confirmed that online sampling techniques are

effective for generating a sufficiently large sample of Internet gamblers.

However, given the low follow-through rates of banner advertising, it is probable that self-selected online samples are systematically biased.

Random sampling techniques, such as random digit dialing (RDD) , can yield relatively representative samples .

However, given the very low prevalence rate of Internet gambling in Canada, RDD studies can be prohibitively lengthy and costly.

Current Study Funded by a three-year grant from the Ontario Problem

Gambling Research Centre.

1. Random digit dial survey of Canadian adults.a) Managed by Institute for Social Research, at York University.b) Adults surveyed from all 10 provinces. c) Response rate of 46% (completions over eligible numbers, times 100). d) N = 8,496.e) 71.2% Gamblers.f) 3.21% Internet gamblers (N = 273).

2. Online, self-selected survey of gamblers.a) Survey hosted at www.gamblinginformation.org, in seven languages.b) Banner ad-links placed at www.casinocity.com gambling portal.c) 2 million exposures, over 5 months.d) N = 12,524. e) 44% Internet gamblers (N = 5,511).

Current Study Questionnaires asked about:

a) Land-based gambling activity (i.e. time, expenditure, game preference)

b) Internet gambling activity

c) Stock market speculation

d) Definitions of gambling (i.e. which activities constitute gambling)

e) Gambling attitudes (i.e. morality, legality, social harm)

f) Gambling knowledge and beliefs (i.e. fallacies, knowledge of odds)

g) Problem gambling (CPGI, SOGS, NODS)

Online questionnaire provided additional interactive feedback:a) Graph comparisons to other gamblers, regarding gambling attitudes,

knowledge / beliefs, propensity for problem gambling, and projected expenditures.

b) Online treatment resources for problem gamblers.

Current Study Data analysis is in the very early stages for the RDD

survey.

Data cleaning is still underway for the online survey.

Today’s presentation is based on data from the RDD survey only.

Comparative CharacteristicsInternet Gamblers Non-Internet Gamblers

Gender Gender

Male 81% Male 46%

Female 19% Female 54%

Age Age

Average 41 years old Average 48 years old

Marital Status Marital Status

Married 61% Married 67%

Single 39% Single 33%

Comparative Characteristics

Internet Gamblers Non-Internet GamblersPost-Secondary Education Post-Secondary Education

Yes 73% Yes 62%

No 27% No 38%

Unemployed Unemployed

Yes 1.1% Yes 2.3%

Household Income Household Income

Average $110,535 Average $69,944

Comparative Characteristics

Internet Gamblers Non-Internet GamblersPhysical Disability / Chronic Health

ProblemPhysical Disability / Chronic Health

Problem

Yes 4.9% Yes 12.1%

Depression / Anxiety / Mental Health Problems

Depression / Anxiety / Mental Health Problems

Yes 4.1% Yes 6.9%

Comparative Characteristics

Internet Gamblers Non-Internet GamblersConsumed Alcohol Past Month Consumed Alcohol Past Month

Yes 79.9% Yes 72.2%

Used Illegal Drugs Past Month Used Illegal Drugs Past Month

Yes 14.4% Yes 5.9%

Smoked Cigarettes / Used Tobacco Past Month

Smoked Cigarettes / Used Tobacco Past Month

Yes 32.1% Yes 28.6%

Comparative Problem Gambling Status (CPGI)

Internet Gamblers Non-Internet Gamblers

Problem Gambling Status Problem Gambling Status

Non-ProblemCPGI = 0

59.5% Non-ProblemCPGI = 0

86.8%

Low RiskCPGI = 1-2

27.9% Low RiskCPGI = 1-2

8.4%

Moderate ProblemCPGI = 3-8

9.1% Moderate ProblemCPGI = 3-8

3.3%

Severe ProblemCPGI = 9-27

3.4% Severe ProblemCPGI = 9-27

1.6%

Online Gambling Patterns

What year did you first start using the Internet for gambling purposes?

2001 or earlier 11.3%

2002 8.5%

2003 13.6%

2004 13.8%

2005 25.3%

2006 22.1%

Online Gambling Patterns

In past 12 months, proportion of Internet gamblers who have used the

Internet for:

Percentage of game play in past 12 months, for specified gambling

activity, for which Internet was used:

Lottery tickets 14.3% Average 34.6%

Sports betting 9.4% Average 54.3%

Horse or dog racing 3.2% Average 59.7%

Bingo 1.6% Average 35.6%

Games of skill (e.g. poker)

33.0% Average 50.7%

VLTs and slots 4.3% Average N/A

Online Gambling Patterns

What time of day do you most often use the Internet to gamble or place bets?

9AM – 5 PM 15.3%

5PM - Midnight 75.9%

Midnight – 9AM 4.5%

Online Gambling Patterns

Do you primarily use your home or work computer for Internet gambling?

Home 84.0%

Work 2.9%

Home & Work Equally 2.9%

Other 3.9%

Online Gambling Patterns What would you say are the main advantages of Internet gambling, over

gambling at a land-based facility (up to 4 responses)?

Advantage Proportion Who Mentioned

24 hr availability 37.5%

Don’t have to drive anywhere or leave house 28.8%

Unavailability of land-based gambling 1.7%

More physically comfortable 8.9%

Able to smoke 3.7%

Greater privacy / anonymity 6.3%

No crowds 6.6%

No unpleasant people 1.9%

Better gaming experience (e.g. speed) 8.8%

Higher payout rate 5.5%

Lower secondary costs 1.3%

To be continued….• To what extent do Internet gamblers systematically differ,

demographically, from land-based gamblers?

• Why do Internet gamblers consistently show a greater propensity for problem gambling, compared to land-based gamblers?

• What characteristics and patterns of play are predictive of problem Internet gambling?

• Does problem Internet gambling require a unique approach to prevention and treatment?

To be continued…• To what extent do Internet gambling rates, and rates of

problem Internet gambling, differ cross culturally?

• In what ways is the online gambling experience qualitatively different than the land-based experience (sensually, socially, and psychologically)?

• Would the legalization and government regulation of Internet gambling in Canada serve the “greater good?”

• What is the most appropriate policy position (with respect to legality, regulation, access) for Internet gambling in Canada?

Recent Relevant PublicationsWood, Robert T. and Robert J. Williams. (2007). “Problem Gambling on the Internet: Implications for Internet Gambling Policy in North America.” New Media & Society, 9(3):169-191.

Wood, Robert T, Robert J. Williams, Paul K. Lawton. (2007). “Why Do Internet Gamblers Prefer Online Versus Land-Based Venues? Some Preliminary Findings and Implications.” Journal of Gambling Issues, 20: 235-252.

Wood, Robert T. & Robert J. Williams (2007). "Internet Gambling: Past, Present, and Future." In Gary Smith, David Hodgins & Robert Williams (eds.), Research and Measurement Issues in Gambling Studies (pp. 491-514). Toronto: Elsevier Publishing.

Researcher Contact Info:

• Dr. Robert Wood

Department of Sociology

Phone: (403) 329-5137

Email: robert.wood@uleth.ca

• Dr. Robert Williams

School of Health Sciences

Phone: (403) 382-7128

Email: robert.williams@uleth.ca

University of Lethbridge4401 University Drive

Lethbridge, ABT1K 3M4, Canada