The number of Quebecers playing online games tripled between 2018 and 2021, according to a study whose statistics worry a researcher.
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This proportion has thus increased from 5.2% in 2018 to 15.6% in 2020.
The study by Sylvia Kairouz of Concordia University and Annie-Claude Savard of Laval University, conducted during the pandemic, shows that not only has online gaming experienced a sharp surge, but the frequency of play and the money invested have also increased.
According to them, the pandemic would have contributed to an increase in online gambling habits for 10 to 30% of the 4,500 Quebecers surveyed as part of this study. The closure of gaming venues like casinos and bars are among the reasons that have prompted them to turn to other forms of gambling.
“Those who gambled more said it was because they had more free time, felt lonely or isolated, couldn’t buy lottery tickets in person, or because gambling helped them relax. Just over 20% said they gambled more because they needed the money.
The gambling activities on which players spent the most money over the past 12 months ($100+ per gaming opportunity) were stock market (64.1%), esports betting (18%), slots (17%) and poker (14%).
Lotto remains the most practiced activity among current online gamblers (71%), followed by betting on slots (27.1%) and sports betting (16.2%).
“We find that among the Canadian adult population, online gamers are 12 times more likely than gamers in general to report gaming problems,” said Professor Kairouz, who also expressed particular concern about the increase.
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