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Did you know…
Quebecers’ Gambling Behaviour
Did you know that Quebecers are among the Canadians who spend the least on gambling and lotteries?
In Canada in 2005-2006*, Québec ranked 8th in terms of gross spending per capita on all forms of gambling and games of chance combined.
In 2005-2006*, the average annual per-capita expenditure in Québec was $572, whereas the Canadian average (10 provinces) was $664.
* The most recent year for which complete data is available.
Source:
"Gross spending on games of chance and gambling per inhabitant, in Canada and its provinces in 2005–2006", data obtained from the audited annual reports of Canada's lottery corporations.
Did you know that, according to the most recent studies, pathological gambling remained stable in Québec between 1996 and 2002?
The number of likely pathological gamblers* among the adult population dropped from 1% in 1996 to 0.8% in 2002. Québec is home to between 35,000 and 56,000 potential pathological gamblers.
The number of gamblers at risk also dropped, from 1.4% in 1996 to 0.9% in 2002.
A Statistics Canada survey carried out in 2002 revealed that Québec is the Canadian province with the lowest percentage of pathological gamblers – 0.3% of the adult population – and one of the lowest percentages of gamblers at risk – 1.3%.
Between 1996 and 2002, the number of likely pathological gamblers and the number of gamblers at risk remained stable. It is important to observe that Loto-Québec's revenues for that same period increased by more than 40%. No link can therefore be made between the increase in Loto-Québec's earnings and the percentage of pathological gamblers.
*Source: Ladouceur, R., Jacques, C., Chevalier, S., Sévigny, S., Hamel, D. & Allard, D. (2004). Prévalence des habitudes de jeu et jeu pathologique au Québec en 2002. (in French only) [PDF format, 606 KB - Help]. Québec and Montréal, Université Laval and Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
Did you know that there are three types of gamblers?
The three types of gamblers:
- Recreational gambler: never really encounters any gambling-related problems.
- Gambler at risk: faces episodic problems relating to gambling or experiences certain negative impacts relating to his gambling behaviour, though these have no serious consequences.
- Pathological gambler: encounters increasingly major problems caused by a serious dependence on gambling and games of chance.
Source: Ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux Web site
Did you know that certain studies found that the number of potential pathological gamblers and gamblers at risk did not increase between 1996 and 2002, whereas Loto-Québec's revenues for that same period increased by more than 40%?
Between 1996 and 2002, the number of likely pathological gamblers and the number of gamblers at risk remained stable. It is important to observe that Loto-Québec's revenues for that same period increased by more than 40%. No link can therefore be made between the increase in Loto-Québec's earnings and the percentage of pathological gamblers.
Sources:
1) Studies entitled Prévalence des habitudes de jeu et du jeu pathologique au Québec en 2002 and Comportement de jeu et jeu pathologique selon le type de jeu au Québec en 2002, Institut national de santé publique du Québec and the Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu, April 2004.
2) Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental health and well-being – Statistics Canada 2002.
Video Lottery Network Restructuring
Did you know that Loto‑Québec has achieved of its initial VLT site-reduction objective*?
In its 2004-2007 Development Plan, Loto‑Québec set forth an initiative involving the reconfiguration of its network of video lottery terminals (VLTs). The objective was to reduce the number of sites offering VLTs by a minimum of 31% over three years.
Given the various VLT withdrawal programs implemented since that time, the bar and brasserie network now encompasses 2,321 active sites, representing a total reduction of 36.2%. That translates into more than one out of three fewer sites as compared to when the effort first got underway.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu¹, the favoured approach was to diminish accessibility to VLTs, and one of the principal withdrawal criteria was based on average household income. As such, Loto‑Québec concentrated on reducing accessibility in the most fragile zones. More specifically, all units at sites equipped with 1-4 VLTs in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, Québec City and other areas in the Province were removed in sectors where average annual household income was less than $50,000 and where the VLT ratio exceeded the Québec average.
Source:
1) "Rapport d'étude sur le format, la disposition et le mode de disponibilité des appareils de loterie vidéo" [PDF Format, 597 KB - Help],
Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu, April 2003.
The Location of Video Lottery Terminals
Did you know that video lottery terminals are installed in locations accessible only to people 18 years of age or over?
When the Government of Québec authorized Loto‑Québec to implement a network of video lottery terminals (VLTs), it mandated the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) with the task of determining where VLTs could be operated. To prevent minors (persons under 18) from gaining access to the VLTs, the RACJ established that the terminals could be operated exclusively in establishments with a liquor license falling under the bar, pub or tavern categories. As a result, the number of sites offering VLTs is closely linked to the number of establishments with such a liquor license that have also obtained a VLT operating permit. They are located primarily in commercial or mixed-used (commercial/residential) zones as defined by the zoning regulations governed by municipal authorities.
Incidentally, it is worth noting that certain municipalities on the Island of Montréal have no VLT sites simply because they are not home to any licensed establishments falling under the bar, pub or tavern category.
Preventing and Treating Compulsive Gambling
Did you know that a number of concrete preventive measures have been implemented to promote healthy gaming behaviour?
Since the VLT network was first launched, many practical measures were implemented to promote healthy gaming behaviour. Major changes have been made since 2003 to integrate features that encourage responsible gaming:
- Each terminal is equipped with a menu describing the concept of chance so as to dispel the mistaken beliefs held by many compulsive gamblers.
- The player’s bank is automatically displayed on the screen in dollars or credits so that the player can see the actual extent of his or her wagers, wins or losses.
- The 1 866 SOS-JEUX (1 866 767-5389) help and referral hotline number is displayed on all units.
- The VLTs carry messages urging moderation, and to prevent players from losing track of time, the screen features a clock and a module that indicates the duration of play.
- Players can no longer stop the electronic tumblers by touching the screen.
- The maximum amount that can be inserted per session of play is reduced from $100 to $60.
- The devices are deactivated outside the hours authorized by the site's liquor license.
Other preventive measures implemented:
- The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux prohibits the offering of gratuities to players to prompt them to play, such as meals or discounts on food and beverages, including alcohol.
- Minors (under 18) have no access to video lottery terminals.
- The "Your Player Profile in 8 Questions" pamphlet published by La Fondation Mise sur toi includes a self-assessment test that provides players with insight into their gaming habits, as well as advice on maintaining healthy gaming behaviour. The pamphlet is available from Loto‑Québec retailers.
Did you know that Loto-Québec has been involved in preventing compulsive gambling for over twenty-five years?
No sooner had the American Medical Association recognized excessive gambling as a pathology (DMS III) than Loto-Québec began helping research teams at Université Laval and McGill University create two centres of excellence:
Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu pathologique, affiliated with Université Laval.
International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, affiliated with McGill University.
Did you know that the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux receives more than $20 million per year for the prevention and treatment of compulsive gambling, as well as for research into this phenomenon?
In 2001, the Government of Québec assigned the responsibility for the management of research, prevention and treatment of pathological gambling to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS).
The MSSS oversees a committee which approves the research topics.
In 2002, Loto-Québec established the Fondation Mise sur toi. Its mission is to promote responsible gaming behaviour, protect people at risk, prevent the harmful effects of excessive gambling and, in this manner, help achieve a balance between Loto-Québec's business mandate and its social commitment to Québec society.
Did you know that Québec's casinos are equipped with a detection and crisis response plan aimed at helping those in distress?
Since summer 2001, Loto-Québec has equipped its casinos with a crisis response plan designed to help people exhibiting signs of distress.
Agreements were signed with treatment organizations for gamblers located near each casino. As soon as a casino employee calls one of these organizations, a professional is immediately dispatched to attend to the person concerned.
In spring 2003, Loto-Québec's Fondation Mise sur toi initiated a series of information sessions for over 4,000 casino employees, primarily those in direct contact with the players. The aim of these sessions is to raise employee awareness of situations in which a person is in distress and of the need for quick action by referring the person to a designated organization. Thanks to a mutual support network, casino employees contribute by helping to identify persons showing signs of distress. In such cases, the employee immediately informs a security agent who will guide the individual to a specially trained resource person.
More information on new initiatives >>>
Did you know that Loto-Québec trained more than 13,000 bar, brasserie and tavern owners and employees?
In order to raise awareness about compulsive gambling and the concept of chance, the Société des loteries vidéo du Québec (SLVQ), in conjunction with the Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu, a research organization affiliated with Université Laval, carried out a tour entitled Taking Risks is No Game in spring 2001, aimed at establishment owners operating video lottery terminals.
In June 2002, some 4,200 people attended the information sessions. In fact, every single establishment took part, thus reflecting the high level of interest among VLT operators in promoting responsible gambling behaviour.
In 2004, the Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions weekly research publication THE WAGER looked at the results of the workshops. Describing the workshops as innovative, the article presented a description of and commentary on the program. The SLVQ is the first company in the world to have such a program not only implemented, but also evaluated.
In April 2003, the SLVQ's public awareness program about the risks of gambling received international attention when it earned the award for excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) at the Gold Quill Awards Ceremony.
Since 2006, after running for two years, the Taking risks is no game training program has been completed by some 13,000 bar owners and employees. Offered by individuals specialized in the gaming field, this training has enabled participants not only to be better informed about games of chance when confronted with players in difficulty, but also to be in a position to play a front-line role in promoting responsible gaming.
Online since June 2008, Taking risks is no game training is now accessible to site operators 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both English and French. This online version contains the same information as the conventional sessions, but it reduces any travel required.
Source: Info Vidéo, December 2004
Did you know that Loto-Québec created a retailer-oriented program focused on the law prohibiting the sale of lotteries to minors?
Loto-Québec is constantly reminding its retailers of the fact that lotteries are for adults only. Ever since February 2000, when the Law prohibiting the sale of lottery products to minors (under 18 years) was adopted, Loto-Québec has engaged in a sustained public communications and awareness campaign. Its "18+" slogan has been featured in Loto-Québec brochures, as well as on lottery terminals, radio and television.
Any retailer who breaks the Law prohibiting the sale of lottery products to minors (under 18 years) is guilty of an offence, and may risk criminal prosecution, a fine of $300 to $2,000, and in the event of a subsequent offence, a fine of $600 to $6,000.
Furthermore, Loto-Québec implemented administrative measures to uphold the Law:
Any adult who has grounds to believe that a retailer is selling a lottery product to a person under 18 years of age should inform Loto-Québec. Upon receipt of the complaint, Loto-Québec will conduct an investigation to confirm its validity.
Once this is done, and the complaint is found to be legitimate, Loto-Québec will notify the retailer as follows:
| – | 1st visit from a major-aged phantom shopper: in case of an infraction, issuance of a letter advising the retailer of training to be provided in-store |
| – | 2nd visit from a major-aged phantom shopper: in case of an infraction, formal notice presented to the retailer |
| – | 3rd visit from a minor-aged phantom shopper: in case of an infraction, suspension of sales privileges for a period of 15 days |
| – | 4th visit from a minor-aged phantom shopper: in case of an infraction, suspension of sales privileges for a period of 30 days |
| – | 5th visit from a minor-aged phantom shopper: in case of an infraction, suspension of sales privileges for a period of one year |
In 2002, Loto-Québec implemented a reinforcement program entitled "We ask for ID here" to ensure that retailers observe the Law prohibiting the sale of lottery products to minors.
Did you know that from April 2002 to the end of the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Loto‑Québec paid over $160 million to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) and to the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) as part of the program for the treatment and prevention of pathological gambling?
Loto-Québec's contributions to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) and to the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) is divided up as follows:
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Did you know that Québec is one of the Canadian provinces that devotes the most effort to preventing pathological gambling?
Over the last seven years, from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2009, Loto‑Québec has invested over $180 million in the fight against compulsive gambling, with $25 million spent in 2008-2009 alone.
In the same period, Loto‑Québec allocated $160 million to compulsive gambling assistance programs administered by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, and to the management of activities aimed at controlling access to video lottery terminals, administered by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux.
This places Québec among the world's top jurisdictions with respect to funding for programs to fight the problems related to compulsive gambling.
Did you know that there are currently some one hundred treatment centres for pathological gamblers in Québec and that access is free of charge?
Thanks to an annual payment of $22 million by Loto-Québec to the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), some one hundred treatment centres throughout Québec offer access to services provided free of charge to people with gambling problems.
A complete list of the help centres is available in the Responsible Gaming section of the Corporation's Web site.
Did you know that Loto-Québec helped create two research centres dedicated to the prevention and treatment of pathological gambling?
In 1997, Loto-Québec granted an annual subsidy of $500,000 for five years to launch the Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu pathologique, which is affiliated with Université Laval.
Then, in 2000, Loto-Québec provided a matching subsidy of $500,000 per year for five years for the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, at McGill University.
Having acquired a solid international reputation in the field of problem gambling, these two centres also conduct studies for other jurisdictions.
These files were transferred to the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) in 2001.
Last update: June 18, 2009
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