Vancouver (Richa Walia)— A growing number of young people in British Columbia are engaging in gambling and gaming with real money, according to a new report by the McCreary Centre Society.
The findings, drawn from the 2023 B.C. Adolescent Health Survey of more than 38,200 youth aged 12 to 18, reveal that 34 per cent had taken part in at least one money-related gambling or gaming activity in the previous year. These included sports betting, online card games, dice, and purchasing in-game items with real money.
The report highlights the impact of expanded gambling opportunities since Canada legalized single-game sports betting for adults in 2021. It also points to increased exposure to online gambling, often embedded within video games.
“The most common activity was spending real money to buy items in video games,” said McCreary Centre Society executive director Annie Smith. “At the same time, online sports betting among youth has doubled in five years, and card and dice gaming online has more than doubled.”
While lottery ticket purchases by youth have declined, 20 per cent reported gambling specifically a two per cent increase compared to the society’s last report in 2021. Rates of youth gambling were found to be lowest in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser regions, but higher in the north, the Interior, and on Vancouver Island.
The survey also revealed that 12 per cent of respondents recognized a need for help with problematic gaming, while one per cent said they required support for gambling issues. Those most affected often reported having no close in-person friends, relying only on online connections, or experiencing hunger and deprivation.
University of B.C. professor Elizabeth Saewyc, who was not involved in the study, warned that gambling at a young age carries lasting risks. “With nearly all kinds of addictive behaviors, the younger you start, the harder it is to stop,” she said, noting that many youth engage in gambling late at night, impacting their sleep, school performance, and mental health.
Saewyc urged families to support youth by limiting evening screen time, encouraging physical activities, and having open, judgment-free conversations about gambling.
