Problem Gambling Declining Among Nova Scotia Gamblers

Further, the percentage of population considered at risk for developing problem gambling difficulties has dropped from 4.8 in 2003 to 3.6 in 2007.

A regional study of gambling and its effects on Nova Scotians found that, while almost all residents participate in some form of gambling, very few are problem gamblers, and the number at risk to develop problems is shrinking.

According to the 2007 Nova Scotia Gambling Prevalence Study, almost ninety percent of the inhabitants of the Canadian province gamble, whether it be at lotteries, online casinos, scratch-offs, or video lottery terminals. But only 2.5 percent are compulsive in their gambling behavior, a number that has remained steady over years of study.

Further, the percentage of population considered at risk for developing problem gambling difficulties has dropped from 4.8 in 2003 to 3.6 in 2007. Both increased education regarding the dangers of gambling and greater resources for treatment of compulsive gamblers are credited for the favorable numbers.

The level of actual problem gamblers staying constant reinforces international studies that show compulsive gambling is likely a manifestation of a larger mental disorder, and not necessarily related to gambling proliferation.

The study also showed casino gambling participation dropped from 23 percent to 16 percent from 2003 to 2007. Patrons of video lottery terminals among the general population dropped from 19 percent to 14 percent.