Summary
- The McCreary Center Society has delved into the data to uncover insights about how youth are spending on gambling and gaming.
- Research reveals a growing number of young people are struggling to manage both activities, influenced by eight identified risk factors.
- When people experience social isolation, it can often lead to a rise in gambling addiction and issues with video gaming.
In British Columbia, a concerning pattern is emerging among youth, particularly those aged 12 to 18. More and more adolescents are turning to gaming and gambling with real money, highlighting a troubling trend in the province. This insight comes from the 2023 BC Adolescent Health Survey, conducted by the McCreary Centre Society, which drew conclusions from data gathered from 38,000 young individuals.
Buying in-game goods and sports betting are hurting BC’s youth
Recent findings reveal that over one-third of those surveyed, about 34%, admitted to engaging in at least one of the eight activities highlighted in the study. These activities include traditional forms of real money gambling. Additionally, participants reported spending on in-game purchases like loot boxes during the previous year. This data underscores a concerning trend: young people, especially those under the legal gambling age, are funneling much of their money into loot boxes and other in-game cosmetics. Interestingly, despite these loot boxes sharing similarities with gambling, they are not classified as such in most regions, with only a few countries like the Netherlands and Belgium enforcing bans on them. As debates continue on the legal status of loot boxes, it's noteworthy that 20% of young respondents have already ventured into traditional gambling, with online sports betting becoming particularly prevalent. Annie Smith, Executive Director of the McCreary Centre Society, shed light on these results, which are gathered every five years. She highlighted that online sports betting has doubled in the past five years, and online card and dice games have seen even greater increases. The survey also addressed the alarming number of youth seeking help for behaviors deemed risky, particularly concerning gaming. About 12% of those seeking assistance were troubled by their expenditures on video games and associated purchases. Meanwhile, only a small percentage, 1%, acknowledged having a gambling problem in the traditional sense, with an additional 1% seeking help for both gambling and gaming issues. Smith pointed out that social isolation could be a crucial factor driving these risky behaviors. She reflected on quotes from young people expressing a desire to engage in physical activities, aware of the benefits over their current habits, yet struggling to make the shift and needing support. Understanding these numbers requires context: young individuals from smaller communities with limited access to community centers or organized sports may face more significant challenges in managing their gaming and gambling activities effectively.
