Today Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall released a report that examines legalized gambling in B.C. from a public-health perspective.

"Gambling revenues are an increasingly important revenue source for the government of B.C.," said Kendall. "My report examines the inherent challenges that government faces in seeking to raise revenue while not increasing social harms, and makes a number of evidence-based recommendations for government to consider."

"Lower the Stakes: A Public Health Approach to Gambling in British Columbia" examines gambling from a public-health perspective. It discusses the history and context of the gaming industry in B.C. and examines gambling practices and problem-gambling prevalence over the last decade.

Surveys show that in 2007 approximately 27 per cent of British Columbians were non-gamblers, 60 per cent were non-problem gamblers, and another nine per cent were low-risk gamblers. A total of 4.6 per cent of British Columbians were moderate-risk or problem gamblers, representing approximately 159,000 people. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of people in B.C. with the most severe form of problem gambling more than doubled, increasing from approximately 13,000 people to more than 31,000 people.

The report shows that while the prevalence of problem gambling in B.C. is relatively low, it has been increasing and needs to be addressed. The report also notes that there has been a substantial increase in the availability of inherently riskier gambling opportunities, such as electronic gaming machines.

Problem gambling has potentially adverse personal, social, and economic implications for families and communities. The report finds that people with lower incomes spend a higher proportion of household income on gambling. It also shows that people with problem-gambling behaviour have higher rates of mental-health and substance-use issues.

While the report notes that the provincial government deserves recognition for implementing various problem-gambling prevention and treatment programs, it also recommends increasing the percentage of gaming revenue allocated to prevention and treatment, and on research and evaluation.

There are 17 recommendations for government in the report identifying specific actions that can be taken to decrease risks to the most vulnerable populations and improve the responsiveness of the system to emerging problems related to gambling.

The report was developed jointly by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, the Centre for Addictions Research of BC at the University of Victoria, and Vancouver Coastal Health.

The report can be viewed at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/pho

Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)