Reference Sources
Government Involvement in Gambling
- Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
Regulator of all gaming in the province. - British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program
Promotes responsible gambling and address the harmful impacts of problem gambling.
- Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC)
Regulator of gaming in the province. The AGLC issues licenses to conduct charitable gaming. It also conducts and manages the province's VLTs. Ticket lotteries are conducted and managed by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC). Falls under the purview of the Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security. - Horse Racing Alberta (HRA)
A not-for-profit corporation that manages and regulates the horse racing industry in Alberta under the authority of The Horse Racing Alberta Act.
- Alberta Health Services
Agency funded by the Government of Alberta to provide treatment services for addictions (assumes services provided by Alberta Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission).
- SaskGaming
SaskGaming operates Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw under the authority of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA). Ticket lotteries are conducted and managed by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC). - Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA)
SIGA operates the First Nations casinos in the province. - Indigenous Gambling Regulators
- Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA)
The LGCA is the regulator for liquor, gaming and cannabis in Manitoba. On April 1, 2014, the regulatory services previously provided by the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission were brought together.
- Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (originally known as the Manitoba Lotteries Commission when created in 1971) is a Crown corporation of the Province of Manitoba. It conducts and manages gaming in the province (Club Regent and McPhillips Street Station casinos, VLT network, PlayNow.com, breakopen tickets, bingo paper, and distribution of lottery tickets for the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) and the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation). Agreements also in place with provincial First Nations casinos.
- Manitoba Gambling Research Program
The Manitoba Gambling Research Program is a research funding initiative of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Its aim is to build gambling research capacity and support the development of high quality research that enables evidence-based advancement of responsible gambling programs, and problem gambling prevention and treatment.
- Manitoba Horse Racing Commission
Regulates horse racing and the operation of all race tracks in Manitoba.
- Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
AGCO is responsible for the regulation of the province's casinos, charity casinos and slot machine facilities.
- iGaming Ontario
Established in July 2021 as a lottery subsidiary corporation of the AGCO. iGaming Ontario is responsible for conducting and managing igaming when provided through private Operators.
- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)
The OLG was created in 1975 as the Ontario Lottery Corporation. It is responsible for the operation of lottery products, charity and aboriginal casinos, commerical casinos, and slots-at-racetracks (racinos).
- Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (Greo)
A goverment-funded agency with a mandate of knowledge translation and exchange.
- Responsible Gambling Council
The Council acts as an information clearinghouse, provides awareness and prevention services, and conducts research.
- Loto-Québec
Loto-Québec was created in 1969. It operates three casinos and provides related restaurant and lodging services. It also administers a video lottery system and network bingo activities.
- Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux
Regulates horse racing, lotteries, video lotteries, and publicity contests in the province.
- New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC)
A business entity that is responsible for the conduct and management of all provincial gaming. The NBLGC manages the service provider agreement with the casino operator and acts as the New Brunswick shareholder in the ALC. In addition, the NBLGC, in partnership with other stakeholders departments, is responsible for the development and implementation of the province’s responsible gaming initiatives.
- Gaming, Liquor & Security Licensing - Department of Public Safety
Responsible for the regulation and control of provincial gaming as well as the regulation, control and licensing of charitable gaming in the province.
Responsible for the conduct and management of the province’s casinos. The Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries & Casino Corporation does not directly operate lotteries or video lotteries but is a shareholder in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and in the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC). The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is a jointly owned corporation of the four Atlantic provinces.
- Department of Justice and Public Safety
Responsible for regulating lottery schemes (e.g., bingos, raffles, casino nights, 50/50 draws, etc.) in the province.
- Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
The Commission does not directly operate lotteries or video lotteries but is a shareholder in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and in the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC). The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is a jointly owned corporation of the four Atlantic provinces.
Responsible for regulating lottery schemes (e.g., bingos, breakopen tickets, 50/50 draws, etc.) in the province.
The Province of Newfoundland & Labrador does not directly operate lotteries or video lotteries but is a shareholder in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and in the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC). The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is a jointly owned corporation of the four Atlantic provinces.
- Yukon Lottery Commission
Ticket lotteries are conducted and managed by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC).
- Department of Community Services
Regulates bingos, raffles, casinos, 50/50 draws, sports pools, etc. in the Territory.
- NWT & Nunavut Lotteries
- Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) - Licensing
MACA licenses and regulates charity bingos, Nevada tickets, casinos and raffles under the Lotteries Act, which covers gambling permitted under the Criminal Code of Canada. Lottery licensing authority now rests with 12 NWT communities. Ticket lotteries are conducted and managed by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC).
- Sport North Lottery Authority
The Lottery Program is responsible for funding Sport North programs and acts as the marketing organization for lottery retailers across the NWT and Nunuvut.
- NWT & Nunavut Lotteries
- Department of Community and Government Services
The Department is responsible for regulating the conduct and management of lotteries through the Lotteries Act. Ticket lotteries are conducted and managed by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC).
- Sport North Lottery Authority
The Lottery Program is responsible for funding Sport North programs and acts as the marketing organization for lottery retailers across the NWT and Nunuvut.
- Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) (Division of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting on horse racing at racetracks across Canada. The CPMA is financed through a federal levy of eight tenths of one percent (0.8%) collected from each dollar bet in Canada. This came to $14,478,544.44 in 2003.
- Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC)
This organization joins together the five Canadian lottery corporations and operates Lotto 6/49, Super 7 and Special Event (Celebration). It was formed in 1976 by the Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLC) and the Western Canada Lottery Foundation (WCL). Loto-québec joined in 1978 and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) in 1979.
"The ILC makes payments to the Government of Canada as a result of an agreement between the Provincial Governments and the Federal Government on the withdrawal of the Federal Government from the lottery field. The agreement requires the provinces, on a combined basis, to make ongoing payments of $24 million in 1979 dollars annually on an inflation adjusted basis [currently $58.4 million]." - Western Canadian Lottery Corporation Annual Report 2003
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) was incorporated in 1976 to conduct and manage lotteries in Atlantic Canada. The four shareholders in ALC are the Lotteries Commission of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission, and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC)
WCLC is a non-profit organization authorized to manage, conduct and operate lottery and gaming-related activities as agent for its Members, the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut participate as associate members. It was originally formed in 1974 as the Western Canada Lottery Foundation.
National Gambling Studies
- Gambling and Problem Gambling in Canada - National Gambling Study
A three-year (2018-2020) comprehensive scholarly research investigation of gambling and problem gambling in Canada being undertaken by an inter-university research team at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute.
- Gambling in Canada: Triumph, Tragedy, or Tradeoff?
A series of reports produced from September 1998 to October 2001 by the Canada West Foundation.
Note: PDFs for reports accessible from Institute's Research Repository.
- Reports of the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons on Capital Punishment, Corporal Punishment, and Lotteries (1956)
- The National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report (1999)
- Gambling in America: Final Report (1976)
Prepared by the U.S. Commission on the Review of the National Policy Toward Gambling.
- Inquiry report into gambling (2010)
The inquiry provides an update on developments since the Commission's 1999 report.
- The Productivity Commission's gambling inquiry: 3 years on (2002, Nov)
Presented by Gary Banks to to the 12th Annual Conference of the National Association for Gambling Studies.
- Inquiry into Australia's Gambling Industries (1999, December)
Report from the Australian Productivity Commission
- New Zealand National Gaming Survey (2001)
From the Department of Internal Affairs
- Gambling Review Report (2001, July)
From the Department for Culture, Media and Sport which is an official review of gambling policy. The previous review of gambling was conducted between 1976 and 1978 by a Royal Commission under the leadership of Lord Rothschild. - The Government's Proposals for Gambling: Nothing to Lose? (2002, July 24)
Examines the impact of the policy proposals outlined above.
Binde, P. (2013). Gambling in Sweden: the cultural and socio-political
By: Binde, P. (2013). Addiction.
Gambling & Problem Gambling Prevalence Studies
-
Google Spreadsheet
Data in a spreadsheet format.
-
PDF
Data in a PDF.
-
Google Spreadsheet
Data in a spreadsheet format.
-
PDF
Data in a PDF.
-
Google Spreadsheet
Data in a spreadsheet format.
-
PDF
Data in a PDF format.
This page is a starting point to locate international studies that examine the prevalence of problem gambling in the following countries:
Australia | Belgium | Brazil | Canada | Cyprus - Northern | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia |Finland | France | Germany | Great Britain | Hong Kong | Hungary | Iceland | Isle of Man | Italy |Lithuania | Macau | Netherlands | New Zealand | Northern Ireland | Norway | Singapore | South Africa| South Korea | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | United States
Additional Information:
Meyer, G., Hayer, T., & Griffiths (Eds.). (2009). Problem gambling in Europe: Challenges, prevention and interventions. New York: Springer.
doi:10.1007/978-0-38709486-1
Shaffer, H. J. et al. (2004). The road less travelled: Moving from distribution to determinants in the study of gambling epidemiology. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 49(8), 504-516.
Stucki, S., & Rihs-Middel, M. (2007). Prevalence of adult problem and pathological gambling between 2000 and 2005: An update. Journal of Gambling Studies, 23(3), 245-257. doi:10.1007/s10899-006-9031-7
Williams, R. J., Volberg, R. A., & Stevens, R. M. G. (2012). The population prevalence of problem gambling: Methodological influences, standardized rates, jurisdictional differences, and worldwide trends. Report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Calado, F., & Griffiths, M. (2016). Problem gambling worldwide: An update and systematic review of empirical research (2000-2015). Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 5(4), 592-613. doi:10.1556/2006.5.2016.073
-
Google Spreadsheet
Data in a spreadsheet format.
-
PDF
Data as a PDF.
Alberta Casinos and Racing Entertainment Centres
- Great Northern Casino - Grand Prairie
- Evergreen Park (Racino) - Grade Prairie
- Rivers Casino & Entertainment Centre (formerly Boomtown Casino) - Fort McMurray
- Casino Dene - Cold Lake First Nation
- Casino Yellowhead - Edmonton
- Starlight Casino - Edmonton
- River Cree Resort and Casino - Enoch
- Casino Edmonton - Edmonton
- Grand Villa Casino - Edmonton
- Century Casino and Hotel - Edmonton
- Northlands Park (Racino) - Edmonton
- Century Casino (Formerly Apex) - St. Albert
- Jackpot Casino - Red Deer
- Cash Casino - Red Deer
- Camrose Resort Casino - Camrose
- Eagle River Casino and Travel Plaza - Whitecourt
- Elbow River Casino - Calgary
- Deerfoot Inn & Casino - Calgary
- Casino Calgary - Calgary
- Cash Casino - Calgary
- Centry Casino - Calgary
- Cowboys Casino (Formerly Stampede) - Calgary
- Grey Eagle Casino - Tsuu T'ina First Nation
- Century Downs Racetrack and Casino - Balzac
- Stoney Nakoda Casino | Stoney Nakoda First Nation (Kananaskis)
- Casino Lethbridge - Lethbridge
- Whoop-Up Downs (Racino) - Lethbridge
- Casino by Vanshaw - Medicine Hat
Statistical Sources
- Stevens, R. M. G. (2023). Gambling statistics. Gambling and problem gambling in Canada: A National Study. https://bit.ly/317s1f4
- YouTube video: How to Find Canadian Gambling Statistics (02:10)
- YouTube video: How to Find Canadian Gambling Statistics (02:10)
- Rotermann, M. & Gilmour, H. (2022, August). Who gambles and who experiences gambling problems in Canada. Insights on Canadian Society. Statistics Canada.
- Statistics Canada [Perspectives on Labour and Income -- Publication was discontinued in 2012]
- Canada West Foundation: Gambling in Canada 2005: Statistics and context. (2005, June)
- Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling: Canadian Gambling Digest ("The Digest") [Publication's final year covered fiscal 2016-17].
- Canadian Gaming Association:
- Angus Reid Institute [Opinion Polls]: Canadians don’t want to roll the dice on expanded gambling (2016, Oct.)
- Compulsive Gambling -- MedlinePlus (Library Guide from the U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health)
- Gambling with your Taxes: Are Gambling Winnings a “Prize” Under the Income Tax Act? (2012, September)
- The international encyclopedia of gambling. William N.Thompson. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. 2010.
- Gambling: What's at stake? Information Plus Reference Series. Detroit: Gale Cengage Learning. 2013.
- Gambling in America: An encyclopedia of history, issues, and society. William N.Thompson. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. 2001.
- World Count of Gaming Machines. Available from the Gaming Technologies Association.
- Gambling Research Exchange Ontario Datasets
Gambling Research Exchange Ontario [GREO] creates and translates knowledge to support evidence informed decision-making about gambling and potential harm of gambling. In line with this mandate, Datasets curated on this Dataverse Archive relate to gambling and gambling related problems.
- Manitoba Longitudinal Study of Young Adults (MLSYA) [Manitoba Gaming Control Commission (MGCC), Addictions Foundation of Manitoba & Manitoba Lotteries]
Data Access Program -- In 2006, the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission (MGCC), Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and Manitoba Lotteries partnered to fund the Manitoba Longitudinal Study of Young Adults (MLSYA). The MLSYA followed a longitudinal sample of 679 Manitobans between the ages of 18 and 20 over a five year period from 2007 to 2011 to develop a stronger understanding of the protective factors that promote responsible gambling and the risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing gambling-related harm. Although the MLSYA was designed as a gambling study, the dataset contains a wealth of instruments that could be used to examine many issues affecting young adults in Manitoba. The partners are pleased to be making this valuable longitudinal dataset available to external researchers.The MGCC’s Research Department coordinated the MLSYA on behalf of the project partners and will begin accepting applications for the MLSYA Data Access Program on April 1, 2013. Researchers may apply to use the dataset for their own research studies, which do not necessarily need to be related to gambling. Please click on the link below for the complete program guidelines and application form.
- The Transparency Project [Division on Addiction, The Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School]
Description -- This is the first ever public data repository for privately-funded datasets, such as industry-funded data, specifically related to addictive behavior (e.g., alcohol and other drugs, intemperate gambling, excessive shopping, etc.). The Division on Addiction created this repository to promote transparency for privately-funded science and better access to scientific information. All Transparency Project datasets have been de-identified according to HIPAA regulations. Transparency Project datasets must be IRB approved for posting in the Transparency Project database repository.The Transparency Project makes available datasets collected by multidisciplinary addiction researchers working throughout the world. The Division on Addiction encourages the external contribution of addiction-related research data for thisproject, and will continue to add its own datasets to the repository. - Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) [Statistics Canada]
The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is a national health survey that asks Canadians about their health and well-being, the factors that affect their health and their use of health care services. [Problem Gambling was optional content for CCHS 3.1 (2005) and only NB chose it; for CCHS 2010, only NB and AB, Nunavut chose it as optional content.] - Labour Force Survey [Statistics Canada]
The Labour Force Survey provides estimates of employment and unemployment which are among the timeliest and most important measures of performance of the Canadian economy.
- Survey of Household Spending [Statistics Canada]
The Survey of Household Spending is a national survey that gathers information about the spending habits of households in Canada. Note: Researchers from Canadian academic institutions who are members of the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) will have access to additional information from the DLI Survey Collection. - British Gambling Prevalence Survey - 1999, 2007, 2010 [UK Data Service]
Large-scale nationally representative survey of participation in gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling in Great Britain. To obtain a free account please register with the UKDA.
More Information About Research Data & Data Collection:
- Data -- Canadian Research Data Centre Network
The Research Data Centres (RDCs) offer Canada's research community secure access to detailed microdata from population and household surveys, censuses and administrative files in universities across the country. Staffed by Statistics Canada analysts, RDCs operate in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act and are accessible only to researchers with approved projects and security clearance
Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission Data Requests from Alberta Gambling Research Institute Researchers:
- Procedure for requesting information for research purposes from AGLC -- Due to their nature, some research investigations depend on access to information or data held by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). A single point of entry has been established and a process to expedite their response and ensure that the proper authorizations are obtained. More information about accessing this type of data can be obtained by contacting Matt Becigneul at (780) 447-8952.