Canada urged to curb online gambling

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Canada hosts more gambling websites than any other country in the world.

But with online gamblers four times as likely to become problem gamblers, Canada needs to solidify laws, a leading researcher into online gambling says.

"I think the federal government needs to take the bull by the horns and make it clear in legislation that gambling is either prohibited or it's legal --but they need to get rid of the uncertainty," said Robert Williams, a gambling researcher from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta.

Williams was in Waterloo speaking to members of the Waterloo Region Action Group on Gambling Issues and others in the community.

University and college-educated men in their 20s are gambling more than anyone, Williams said.

That makes gambling a very real problem in the region, the home of two universities and a college, said Kevin Harrigan, who leads a problem gambling research team at the University of Waterloo.

More attention needs to be drawn to the issue because of the negative effects gambling can have on a student's life, such as dropping out of university because of financial issues, or stealing from friends, he said.

Even high school students -- who often hold casino nights and play betting games for fun -- need to be informed about problem gambling, said Marion Kelterborn, a public health nurse with Waterloo Region.

"A lot of youth and parents in society see gambling as harmless."

Many post-secondary students have gambling problems, said Susan McLaren of St. Mary's Hospital counselling services.

But most of them aren't reaching out for help.

Williams says online gambling is popular with young people because they're more internet literate.

But he expects the demographics to shift as this generation ages.

In Canada, poker is by far the most popular way to bet online, attracting 60 per cent of online gamblers, Williams said. But skills games are quickly increasing in popularity.

These websites can circumvent laws that prevent gambling because they aren't based on luck.

While Williams urges policy-makers to firm up legislation, he warns against "throwing in the towel" like the United Kingdom, which has regulated online gambling.

"Legislation promotes legitimization, which promotes participation, which promotes problem gambling."

arobinson@therecord.com

June 19, 2008
April Robinson
RECORD STAFF - WATERLOO
TheRecord.com