Prince Edward Island Reports Spike in At-Risk Gamblers

Over the last couple of years, Prince Edward Island has seen an increase in gambling revenues, but there is a catch. A prevalence study provided to the local government released last month finds that the proportion of at-risk bettors tripled between 2005 and 2019. In found that 11,137 Islanders are at a degree of risk from gambling or 8.6% of the adult population.

The study was conducted by researchers at UPEI working as part of a national program known as SPOR, the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, meant to inform public health decision-making. Meanwhile, prior to 2005, research discovered that the number of at-risk gamblers was at 2.8% which was significantly lower than the current 8.6%.

Study Shows Concerning Rise

Further findings from the study discovered that Islanders between the ages of 18 and 34 were three times as likely to be at risk of harm from gambling habits compared to those aged 55 or older. In the meantime, those who resorted to online gambling were 3.6 times as likely to be at risk in contrast to those who opted to gamble in person.

Mary-Ann Standing, one of the epidemiologists behind the research, explained the harm could vary from issues to their financial situation or their household’s financial situation, to personal relationships and mental health. Meanwhile, Green MLA Peter Bevan-Baker shared he was surprised to learn about the study which was referenced in the province’s newly introduced responsible gambling strategy.

Mr. Bevan-Baker is most concerned about the 18 to 34-year-old demographic as they are most likely to use online gambling, which is more problematic. He is hopeful that the study would pull the plug on the province’s plans, put on temporary hold in 2021, to launch its own online casino platform via the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and said the government should not rely on profits from iGaming.

Finance Minister Jill Burridge assured the province has no current plans to go ahead with an online casino. But, even with no digital gambling, the province disclosed back-to-back years of record lottery proceeds. For the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023, ALC provided CA$29.3 million in profits to P.E.I. This is a 25% increase over the previous year and close to double the amount in 2020-2021.

Additionally, the 2019 incidence study said that the province should engage with locals who have lived experience with at-risk and problem gambling and help it gain a deeper understanding of the results. It also urged the provincial government to further examine the factors which led to the substantial increase in prevalence compared to the 2005 study.

The Only Atlantic Province Without iGaming

In the past year, the Province of Nova Scotia also introduced its own online gambling platform via ALC. According to a Finance Department representative, the new iGaming website should generate around CA$10 million in revenue for its first year of operations. Newfoundland and Labrador also debuted interactive gaming, leaving only P.E.I. without one.

Source: Campbell, Kerry “Big jump in Islanders at risk from gambling, along with P.E.I.’s gambling revenues” CBC News, October 23, 2023