The gambling profiles of Canadians young and old: game preferences and play frequencies

Abstract

Similar to many other countries, Canada has witnessed a growing concern over gambling problems population and the potential for related negative consequences. Research results thus far highlight the heterogeneity of the problem gamblers and suggest game preferences may distinguish gambler types. This study entails an exploratory analysis of the gambling typologies and profiles of Canadians based on game frequency and preferences through latent class analysis, using a nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 1.2). The results showed that the survey respondents could be partitioned into eight latent classes/subtypes that represent distinct gambling profiles. The classes could be ordered with respect to the extent to which class members are affected by an increased prevalence of gambling problems with marked differences between the classes in terms of their demographic makeup. The ordering of classes and its correspondence to problem gambling severity supports the notion of a problem gambling continuum.

Keywords:

• gambling
• typlogy
• latent class analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre for funding in association with this research.