In a striking revelation, the McCreary Centre Society has released a report that highlights an unsettling trend among teenagers in British Columbia: a significant portion of them are engaging in gambling and gaming activities that involve real money. This comes in the wake of expanding online gambling opportunities across Canada.
The comprehensive study drew insights from the 2023 B.C. Adolescent Health Survey, which involved more than 38,200 young participants aged between 12 and 18. Conducted every five years, this survey aims to shed light on pressing issues affecting the youth. This year’s focus was on the financial stakes involved in gaming and gambling activities, revealing that 34% of the respondents partook in at least one gambling or money-based gaming activity over the past year.
These activities ranged from sports betting to purchasing in-game items using real currency. Since the previous review in 2021, where single-game sports betting was legalized for adults in Canada, the visibility and accessibility of gambling have surged, particularly online. This trend is not isolated to British Columbia, as provinces like Quebec are also reporting similarly concerning statistics.
During the report’s presentation, Annie Smith, the executive director of the McCreary Centre Society, pointed out a shift in the gambling landscape. The most prevalent activity among youth was spending money on video games, a behavior that had gone untracked in the previous survey. “The landscape has shifted dramatically, with in-game purchases leading the charge,” she noted, highlighting the growing influence of digital platforms.
Traditional gambling avenues, such as purchasing lottery tickets, saw a decline in popularity among teens. However, the overall youth gambling rates have seen a slight uptick, with 20% of respondents acknowledging that they gambled, representing a 2% increase since the last survey. Smith detailed that the popularity of online sports betting has doubled over the past five years, and the number of teenagers engaging in online card and dice games has also more than doubled. She emphasized that online platforms make gambling more accessible to young individuals.
The report did not shy away from regional disparities within the province. Youths from northern B.C., the Interior, and Vancouver Island reported higher gambling rates compared to those from Vancouver Coastal and Fraser, where the numbers were notably lower.
The survey also uncovered that 12% of the respondents felt they needed assistance with problematic gaming involving real money, while 1% expressed a need for help with gambling issues. This subset of the youth faces additional challenges, such as social isolation and food insecurity, further complicating their situations.
Adding an academic perspective, University of British Columbia professor Elizabeth Saewyc, although not part of the study, expressed her apprehensions about the long-term implications of this trend. “When you start young with any addictive behavior, it becomes increasingly difficult to stop,” she remarked, stressing that gambling, particularly late at night, could disrupt sleep patterns, affecting mood, memory, and academic performance.
Saewyc advised families to actively engage with their children in discussions about gambling and gaming. She advocated for setting boundaries on electronic device usage at night and encouraging outdoor activities to counterbalance the allure of online gaming.
Providing a counterpoint to the growing concerns, some argue that the increase in online gambling among youth is part of a broader digital shift where entertainment and socialization often happen online. The argument suggests that the key lies in education and sensible regulation rather than outright prohibition. Supporters of this viewpoint believe that by equipping young people with the right tools and knowledge, they can make informed choices about their online activities.
Nevertheless, the McCreary Centre Society’s report serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and parents. As online gambling and gaming continue to evolve, so must the strategies to safeguard the youth from potential harms. The balance between embracing technological advancements and protecting vulnerable populations remains a delicate one, demanding ongoing dialogue and proactive measures.
The report underscores the pressing need for awareness and preventive measures to address youth gambling in British Columbia. As digital landscapes continue to morph, the challenge remains to protect the younger generation while allowing them to navigate the complex world of online gaming and gambling responsibly.
