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Quebecers' Gambling Behaviour
Did you know that Quebecers are among the Canadians who spend the least on gambling and lotteries?
The most recent official data available indicate that, in 2008-2009, the distribution of gaming revenues in the country varied quite significantly from one region to another.
Québec generated 19% of all earnings in canada while ontario brought in twice that (39%), the prairies (manitoba, Saskatchewan and alberta) earned 23% and British columbia, 13%; the remaining 6% went to the atlantic provinces (new Brunswick, nova Scotia, prince edward Island and newfoundland-labrador).
Moreover, in terms of gross gaming expenditures per adult, Québec came in last among canadian jurisdictions with an amount of $659 per year, against a national average of $810. compared to 2002-2003, the average expenditure per adult declined by 5.2% in Québec, from $696 to $659.
This relative weakness in Québec's gaming expenditures in 2008-2009 may be partly explained by a decline in the gaming offer over the past few years. taking into account the total gaming equipment (lottery terminals, slot machines, video lottery terminals and gaming tables) per 1,000 adults, the trend is even clearer. Québec and the atlantic provinces are the only regions where the ratio has gone down year after year since 2002-2003, with reductions of 12.6% and 15.7% respectively over the period, due mainly to a contraction of their video lottery networks.
Contrary to general perception, overall gaming expenditures by Quebecers are the lowest in canada and have developed over the past few years quite differently than that which can be observed elsewhere in the country.
As for the overall gaming offer under loto-Québec's control, it has consistently declined over the past few years. this is particularly due to the measures the corporation implemented, in accordance with its 2004-2007 development plan, to reduce the number of establishments offering video lottery terminals. at the same time, the number of slot machines in the corporation's casinos has not increased.
* 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 2009?
The number of likely pathological gamblers* among the adult population dropped from 1% in 1996 to 0.8% in 2002, to 0.7% in 2009. There are around 42,000 potential pathological gamblers in Québec.
The study showed that the number of at-risk players dropped from 1.4% in 1996 to 1.3% in 2009.
A 2002 Statistics Canada survey 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 2009, the years in which the two studies were carried out, the estimated number of probable pathological gamblers and gamblers at risk remained stable. It is important to observe that Loto-Québec's revenues for that same period increased by more than 65%. The growth in sales had thus no effect on increasing the phenomenon of compulsive gambling.
*Kairouz, S., Nadeau, L., Portrait of gambling in Quebec: Prevalence, incidence and trajectories over four years [PDF Format, 1.20 MB - Help]. Concordia University, Université de Montréal, Fonds de recherche sur la société et la culture, 2010
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 2009, whereas Loto-Québec's revenues for that same period increased by more than 65%
Between 1996 and 2009, the years in which the two studies were carried out, the estimated number of probable pathological gamblers and gamblers at risk remained stable. It is important to observe that Loto-Québec's revenues for that same period increased by more than 65%. The growth in sales had thus no effect on increasing the phenomenon of compulsive gambling.
*Kairouz, S., Nadeau, L., Portrait of gambling in Quebec: Prevalence, incidence and trajectories over four years [PDF Format, 1.20 MB - Help]. Concordia University, Université de Montréal, Fonds de recherche sur la société et la culture, 2010
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 and 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?
As part of its activities, the SLVQ engages in multiple awareness initiatives that promote responsible gaming to its clientele and to network establishment owners and employees in line with WLA responsible gaming certification.
Since VLT network was first launch, many practical measures were implemented and major changes were made to the second-generation terminals, which were introduced in 2003, features that encourage responsible gaming:
- Time: A clock is displayed permanently on the screen. Also, before beginning a session, the player must select its duration: 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
- Chance: Each terminal is equipped with a menu describing the concept of chance so as to dispel the mistaken beliefs held by many compulsive gamblers.
- Bets: On the main game screen, the bank is displayed in dollars by default, unless the player presses a key to convert the amount into credits
Other current preventive measures:
- The helpline number 1 866 SOS-JEUX (1 866 767-5389) is displayed prominently and the devices display messages urging moderation.
- 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.
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 Mise sur toi. Its mission was 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.
Since 2010, Mise sur toi has become an independent not-for-profit organization bringing together individuals and institutions from various domains that support its social mission. This mission is to educate and raise awareness among Quebecers of all ages, giving them the tools to make well-informed decisions about gambling responsibly.
Did you know that Québec's casinos are equipped with a detection and crisis response plan aimed at helping those in distress?
Since 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 2003, 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 22,000 bar, brasserie and tavern owners and employees?
The Taking risks is no game awareness training program was developed by the Mise sur toi in collaboration with Université Laval's Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu. The training helps retailers and their employees find out more about games of chance and gambling so that they can react appropriately when faced with a player in difficulty and play a key role in promoting responsible gaming behaviour. Since the program was launched in 2001, some 22,000 bar owners and employees have earned a certificate.
Given by people specializing in gambling issues, the training is a continuation of the provincial tour that took place in 2001-2002, whose goal was to better inform retailers and their employees of how to help compulsive gamblers without taking over the vital role of the professionals who work toward prevention and treatment of this illness.
Since June 2008, the Taking risks is no game training program has been available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in both English and French. The content is identical to the training given in person except that participants do not have to travel. Since it was launched, almost 6,000 participants have completed the training online.
The Taking risks is no game awareness and information program, which was launched in 2001 for the benefit of VLT site owners, has drawn considerable attention worldwide. In fact, the SLVQ was the world's first organization to have both launched and systematically evaluated a program aimed at training and raising awareness among retailers. So far, nearly 4 200 people, including site owners and staff, have taken part.
- In April 2003, this public awareness program received a Citation of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) during the Gold Quill Awards ceremony. The SLVQ received the award in the "Economic, social and environmental development" category for the excellence of its Taking risks is no game 1 program.
- The Taking risks is no game 1 awareness program was thoroughly evaluated and, in 2004, the findings were published in the article, "Awareness promotion about excessive gambling among Video Lottery retailers" (Ladouceur R., Boutin C., Doucet C., Dumont M., Provencher M., Giroux I., Boucher C., Journal of Gambling Studies, 20, pp. 181-185, 2004).
- The findings also appeared in The WAGER, a weekly research bulletin published by the Division on Addictions at Harvard Medical School (vol. 9, no. 41), with focus placed on the analysis conducted by Dr. Robert Ladouceur and his team at Université Laval's Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu.
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 mystery shopper: in case of an infraction, issuance of a letter advising the retailer of training to be provided in-store |
| - | 2nd visit from a mystery shopper: in case of an infraction, formal notice presented to the retailer |
| - | 3rd visit from a mystery shopper: in case of an infraction, suspension of sales privileges for a period of 15 days |
| - | 4th visit from a mystery shopper: in case of an infraction, suspension of sales privileges for a period of 30 days |
| - | 5th visit from a mystery 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 2003 to the end of the 2010-2011 fiscal year, Loto‑Québec paid over $190 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 years, Loto-Québec has invested more than $269 million in the fight against compulsive gambling, with $31.1 million spent in 2010-2011 alone. This last amount includes $6,1 million provided to Mise sur toi, an independent entity, since February 2009.
In the same period, Loto Québec allocated $190 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 15, 2011
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