Gambling

How is online gambling defined?

Gambling is commonly defined as, “the practice of risking money or other stakes in a game of chance with the intent of winning something else of value, most often money”. Online gambling is the same but involves wagering your money and playing games online.

Nearly two-thirds of Canadians aged 15 or older reported gambling at least once in the past year.

  • Youth often interact with online gambling through various digital platforms, despite the legal age restrictions in place across most jurisdictions. The most common ways they come into contact with gambling are:

    • Social Media and Influencers: Some youth are exposed to online gambling through influencers or social media ads, which might not always make it clear that they are promoting gambling-related content. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have seen increasing amounts of gambling-related advertising and content, sometimes blurred with other entertainment or gaming activities.

    • Online Games and Apps: Free-to-play games or apps, particularly those involving in-game purchases or loot boxes, can function as gateways to gambling-like behaviour. These apps often have microtransactions, encouraging players to spend real money for digital goods or advantages. Although these aren't always directly gambling, the mechanics can introduce youth to the concept of risk and reward, which could evolve into real gambling behaviour.

    • Gambling Ads on Video Games: Many video games, especially those with online or multiplayer components, feature advertisements for gambling sites, often targeted at older teens. These ads can include promotions for online casinos or sports betting, and the growing trend of integrating such ads into gaming environments can inadvertently attract youth​.

    • Peer Pressure or Social Circles: In certain cases, youth may be introduced to online gambling via peer influence, particularly if friends or online communities participate in gambling activities. This can happen in private online forums or social groups where gambling is normalized or even encouraged.

  • When a youth is introduced to online gambling, the following effects and behaviours may occur, depending on their frequency of exposure and personal circumstances:

    • Emotional and Psychological Effects: Repeated exposure to online gambling can lead to anxiety, confusion, guilt, and emotional distress, especially when youth are unable to recover lost money or meet gambling expectations.

    • Strained Relationships: Secrecy or financial problems related to gambling activities can lead to conflicts with family or friends.

    • Impact on Brain Development: Since the adolescent brain is still developing, gambling can significantly impact impulse control making it difficult to resist compulsive behaviours like gambling. The biggest reason for this is that gambling triggers dopamine release in the brain, creating a cycle of excitement and reward that can be addictive over time.

    • Behavioural Changes: Exposure to gambling can normalize high-risk decision-making, influencing behaviour beyond isolated gambling events.

  • In Canada, underage gambling can result in legal consequences, though the enforcement focuses more on operators than individuals. Youth caught engaging in gambling might face fines or other penalties, depending on the provincial laws.

    • In Ontario, for example, the legal gambling age is 19 for most activities, with the exception of lottery tickets and scratch cards, which are accessible at 18. Minors found gambling can be fined, but such cases are rare.

    • Online gambling platforms are obligated to use verification processes like ID checks and biometric data to prevent underage participation. Failure by operators to enforce these age restrictions can lead to significant penalties, including fines, license suspensions, or revocation.

    Youth participation in gambling activities, even in seemingly harmless forms like loot boxes in games, increases the risk of long-term gambling-related issues. These issues can result in legal consequences when they become an adult.

    Legal consequences for behaviours vary significantly between countries and even within local jurisdictions. Always check your regional and federal laws to understand the specific regulations and penalties in your area.

How to recognize the use of online gambling?

Online gambling can take various forms, and its signs may not always be clear. Here are some key indicators to help identify if someone might be engaging in online gambling:

    • Avoidance of Devices: The person may become anxious, upset, or defensive when using their phone, tablet, or computer.

    • Mood Swings: Sudden irritability, frustration, or excitement, especially after losing or winning in online gambling activities or games with gambling elements.

    • Withdrawal: The child may avoid family or friends to spend more time isolated gambling or thinking about gambling.

    • Increased Desires: Displaying a strong, often anxious interest in money, betting, or games with gambling elements.

    • Impulsivity or Risk-Taking: Engaging in risky behaviours, including spending excessive time or money on online gambling or gaming platforms. This may also transition into everyday decision making.

    • Avoidance of Responsibilities: Neglecting chores, homework, or other obligations to focus on gambling activities.

    • Sleep Disruptions: Staying up late to gamble or feeling restless due to the excitement or stress of gambling outcomes.

    • Eating Habits: Noticeable changes in appetite, eating too much or too little, which can stem from emotional distress.

    • Deleting Games or Apps: Sudden deletion of frequently played games and apps followed by the reluctance to reinstall them.

    • Unusual Secretiveness: Hiding screens, quickly closing apps, or refusing to talk about their online activities.

    • Excessive Playing of Games with Loot Boxes or Packs: Spending money on in-game purchases with gambling-like mechanisms.

    • Engagement with Gambling Sites: Visiting or interacting with websites or apps offering real-money betting or casino games.

    • Watching Gambling Streamers: Spending time watching influencers or professional gamblers engage in gambling related activities.

    • Drop in Grades: A decrease in school performance due to stress or distraction from gambling related activities.

    • Lack of Focus: Difficulty focusing on studies or completing assignments due to preoccupation with gambling related activities.

    • Psychosomatic Symptoms: Headaches, stomach aches, or other unexplained physical complaints.

    • Visible Fatigue: Exhaustion from dealing with constant online stress or staying up late worrying.

    • Nervous Habits: Behaviours such as nail-biting, fidgeting, or restlessness stemming from gambling-related tension.

These signs may not always indicate the use of online gambling but are worth addressing with empathy and support. Encourage open communication and connect victims with resources for help.

What can you do?

If you or someone you know is engaging in online gambling, taking proactive steps can help address the situation effectively. Here’s how parents, youth, and bystanders can respond:

    • Foster Open Communication: Create a safe environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their online activities, including exposure to gambling. Address any questions or concerns they may have about gambling openly and without judgment.

    • Set Online Boundaries: Establish clear rules about acceptable online activities, including restrictions on gambling sites and games with gambling-like mechanics, such as loot boxes.

    • Monitor Without Overstepping: Use parental controls to block gambling-related content while respecting your child’s privacy. Regularly discuss their gaming habits and spending online to identify early signs of gambling involvement.

    • Educate Yourself: Learn about online gambling trends, including platforms that might appeal to youth. Understand the mechanics of gambling-like features in games, such as micro-transactions or randomized rewards.

    • Act When Necessary: If you discover your child engaging in online gambling, address the behaviour calmly and constructively. Seek support from organizations that provide resources for youth and families dealing with gambling issues.

    • Speak Up: If you feel pressured to gamble or encounter gambling ads and games, talk to a trusted adult. It’s important to share your concerns without fear of blame.

    • Don’t Engage: Avoid clicking on gambling ads, participating in online betting, or spending money on games with loot boxes. These activities can quickly lead to harmful habits.

    • Protect Your Privacy: Never share personal or financial information online. Be cautious about offers of free credits or rewards in gambling games, as they are often designed to entice you to spend money.

    • Be a Friend: If you know someone who is struggling with gambling, encourage them to talk to a parent, teacher, or counsellor. Offer support without judgment.

    • Don’t Encourage Gambling: Avoid promoting or normalizing gambling activities, such as sharing links to gambling sites or discussing winnings in a way that glamorizes the behaviour.

    • Stand Up for Healthy Habits: If you see friends spending too much time or money on gambling-like activities, have a conversation about the risks and offer alternatives for entertainment.

    • Report Concerns: Use reporting tools to flag gambling ads or inappropriate content targeting youth on social media platforms. Encourage others to do the same to protect vulnerable individuals.

Where to get help?

Kids Help Phone: A 24/7 confidential support service for youth. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.

Cybertip.ca: Canada’s national tipline for reporting online exploitation.

Local Law Enforcement: If a crime has been committed, contact your local law enforcement directly.