Gambling in Canada

Release date: August 9, 2022
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Infographic: Gambling in Canada
Description: Gambling in Canada

In 2018, 64% of Canadians aged 15 or older reported gambling at least once in the previous year. Gambling was more common among those aged 45 to 64 than in the other age groups. Males were more likely than females to have gambled in the previous year, regardless of age.


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Age group (appearing as row headers), Males and Females (appearing as column headers).
Age group Males Females
Total 69% 60%
15 to 24 years 48% 40%
25 to 44 years 69% 60%
45 to 64 years 76% 68%
65 years or older 71% 61%

Some gambling activities were more popular among males than females, such as lottery or raffle tickets. Other activities, like instant win lottery or online games, were more popular among females.


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2. The information is grouped by Type of gambling activity (appearing as row headers), Males and Females (appearing as column headers).
Type of gambling activity Males Females
Lottery or raffle tickets 55% 48%
Instant win lottery or online games 31% 35%
Electronic gambling machines 13% 12%
Casino table games 10% 5%
Sports betting 12% 4%
Bingo 2% 6%
Speculative financial market activities 6% 1%

The vast majority of Canadians who reported gambling in the previous year were not problem gamblers.


Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Risk level for problem gambling (appearing as row headers), Males and Females (appearing as column headers).
Risk level for problem gambling Males Females
No gambling problems 94% 96%
Low risk of problem gambling 4% 3%
Moderate to severe risk of problem gambling 2% 1%

Did you know?

Persons at higher risk of developing a gambling problem were more likely to have participated in multiple types of gambling activities, to be unmarried (single, or divorced or separated), and to have fair or poor mental health, among other factors.

Source: Rotermann, M. and H. Gilmour. 2022. “Who gambles and who experiences gambling problems in Canada.” Insights on Canadian Society. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

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