Canadian Gambling Facts and Myths

If you’re passionate about gambling, you must be on the lookout for interesting facts. This article explores gambling facts and myths relevant to Canadians. We’ll dive into topics such as the industry size, prevalence of gambling, different myths and more.

We've prepared a few key facts about the gambling industry in Canada to give you an insight into the current state of the gambling market. From the largest entertainment industry to how many Canadians gamble, these facts will give you a glimpse of the current state of the gambling market.

1. The Largest Entertainment Industry in Canada is Gambling

Gaming is the largest entertainment industry in Canada. The gambling business provides more than 267,000 jobs, of which more than 135,000 are full-time jobs. If you combine movies, television, music production, and professional sports, they come close to the gaming sector's size.

2. Most Canadian Gamblers Are Male

Data estimates show that 69% of men have reported gambling, compared to 60% of women. Therefore, it’s safe to claim that most gamblers in Canada are male. They are primarily fond of sports betting. Females also gamble a lot, favouring lottery and bingo.

3. 1.6% of Canadians Gamblers Are at Risk For Gambling Issues

The latest data suggests over 300,000 Canadians may be facing problem gambling, with 1.6% at moderate to high risk for gambling issues. It's also been identified that people from lower-income households are more likely to develop problematic gambling habits.

4. Online Gambling is Becoming More Prevalent

Although land-based casinos are still popular in Canada, recent reports show that in terms of revenue, online gambling is surpassing traditional casinos. Data from 2023 reveals that online casinos raked in C$12.5 billion, which is expected to grow as more gamblers opt for the convenience of online platforms.

5. 66.2% of Canadians Have Reported Gambling

The data reports the popularity of gambling in Canada. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2018, around 66.2% of Canadians over 18 had tried at least one form of gambling. Including lotteries, casino games, sports betting, and online gambling.

We’ve debunked common gambling myths to help you gain a realistic view of gambling. Believing various misconceptions can result in unhealthy behaviours. By discerning myths alongside facts, we’d like to provide you with the knowledge to make informed gambling decisions.

1. Myth: You Can Make Your Money Back Even If You Lose

Fact: Casino games are designed so that the house has an advantage over the player to some degree. Each game can have a different house edge, but in the long term, no game can provide guaranteed returns.

2. Myth: Adolescents Can't Get Addicted to Gambling

Fact: Young people tend to gamble in a company with their peers. However, it doesn't mean they can't develop addictive tendencies. Teens and young adults are more likely to addictive behaviours because of their developing brains, making it harder to control impulses and grasp the repercussions of gambling.

3. Myth: Gambling Can Provide Enough Profit For a Living

Fact: Casino games and sports betting are games of luck. They definitely can't guarantee long-term wins, as they all possess a certain house edge. Therefore, you can't rely on casino games to replace your income. First and foremost, gambling is supposed to provide entertainment.

4. Myth: If You Focus on Finding Patterns, You Can Predict Game Outcomes

Fact: In games of chance like roulette or slots, outcomes are determined randomly. Casino games are powered by a random number generator (RNG), ensuring independent outcomes. Although some games require more skill and strategy, such as poker, there are no solid patterns in games of chance that can predict reliable outcomes.

5. Myth: Casino Games Are Rigged

Fact: While every casino game always has an advantageous house edge, it doesn't mean that casino games are rigged. Beyond the game algorithms that provide fair results, casinos must abide by the regulations imposed by gaming authorities. Therefore, if you're losing at a casino game, it doesn't mean that the game is unfair. It's just a part of the game design.