There is a common factor among many Canadian teens who are addicted to gambling: free online games that they can play on their computers, platforms and Smartphones.
That is the finding of a new study by the Toronto-based Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) which concluded that there is a correlation between paid gambling and games that introduce them to gambling but without actual cash.
Minors may not cross the thresholds of brick and mortar casinos, but anyone can play the online versions of casino games, which are known as “social” games. Young people can learn the ins and outs of poker or roulette and try out their strategies without suffering real losses. They can win points or prizes, but only within the game.
Such games are not legally considered gambling.
In the study, published in October, 12 percent of adolescents in three Canadian provinces said they had played social casino games recently. The pool was more than 10,000 students, who were asked about internet slots, internet poker and social casino games on Facebook. The responses were taken from the 2012-2013 Youth Gambling Survey.
The study found that those who did play such games were significantly more likely to play the real thing for real money, either online or at an actual casino. Those who didn’t play the “gateway” games were less likely to play for money.
The senior author of the study, Dr. Elton-Marshall, declared “While it’s not clear whether young people begin in social casino games and move to gambling for money, or if adolescents who are gambling for money also seek out these free games, there is evidence that social casino gaming may build excitement for gambling and encourage the transition into monetary gambling.”
The study found that up to 50 percent of young people who both gamble for money and play social casino games fit the criteria for low to moderate or high problem gaming. This finding was significantly lower for those who weren’t introduced to casinos online. Ten percent of that group played real money games.
Said Elton-Marshall, “It’s important for young people, parents, teachers and others to be aware that these risks exist.”
