Data from almost 40,000 youth in B.C. was used to create From Loot Boxes to Lottery Tickets, a report from the McCreary Centre Society exploring youth gaming and gambling in B.C.
The report found 34% of youth surveyed had taken part in at least one of eight gambling or gaming activities for money.
McCreary Centre Society Executive Director Annie Smith says that the profile of young people participating in online gambling and gaming for money tended to be those who were struggling offline.
“They’ve maybe been bullied at school or on the way to school. They’re not getting along with the people around them maybe living outside the parents’ home,” she said.
“They’ve been through the government care system. So really dealing with a lot of challenges. They tend to be drawn to the online activities and that’s the same for gaming and gambling. We see a huge crossover in terms of the majority of young people who are struggling with their gambling are also struggling with their gaming.”
Smith says the way the data was collected in the BC Adolescent Health Survey which the report is based on, should lead it to be trustworthy.
“What’s really unique about this survey and which gives us such reliable data is that it is administered in classrooms by nurses,” she said. “Young people consistently tell us that they answer honestly because it’s nurses who are asking the questions, they believe that it will be kept confidential.”
Smith says she wants the report to generate discussions between adults and youth and help them connect on the issue.
“ I think as adults we kind of often throw our hands up and, you know, kids are just playing these games and we don’t know anything about it and what are they doing on their device all day,” she said. “I’m really hoping that it will spark some conversations, maybe parents talking to the young people, learning games, maybe learning to play games that don’t require gambling and gaming, and finding ways to connect around this. It’s a reality in young people’s lives. It’s not gonna go away.”
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube