Two in Ten (22%) Ontario Gamblers Admit to
Potential Gambling Blind Spot

Toronto, ON - Two in ten (22%) Ontario gamblers admit to having a potential gambling blind spot, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Responsible Gambling Council. In fact, when those who have gambled in the last six months (herein called "gamblers") reflect on their behaviour in the last year, the data reveal some of this behaviour potentially describes someone who could be having, or is at risk of having, a gambling-related problem.

One in ten (13%) gamblers say they've spent a lot more money on gambling than they intended, while a similar proportion (12%) says they've lost track of time while gambling or tried to win back the money they lost from gambling (11%). Some gamblers even say they've gambled with money needed for essentials like groceries or bills (4%), hid gambling from family or friends (3%), or lost interest in activities other than gambling (2%).

While nine in ten (92%) Ontarians, overall, correctly identified at least one behaviour that could potentially mean a gambling problem has developed or is developing, gamblers were less likely than non-gamblers to think that all of these behaviours were potential signs of someone with a problem:

• Gambling with money needed for essentials like groceries or bills (88% of non-gamblers vs. 83% of gamblers)
• Hiding gambling from family or friends (83% of non-gamblers vs. 77% of gamblers)
• Trying to win back money that was lost from gambling (81% of non-gamblers vs. 69% of gamblers)
• Losing interest in activities other than gambling (79% of non-gamblers vs. 67% of gamblers)
• Spending more money than intended on gambling (77% of non-gamblers vs. 69% of gamblers)
• Losing track of time while gambling (69% of non-gamblers vs. 63% of gamblers)

That so many Ontarians believe that there are a number of symptoms that could lead to a gambling-related problem suggests the need for the availability of help for those who could benefit from it. To this effect, six in ten (62%) `agree' (11% strongly/51% somewhat) that `a lot more is being done today to prevent problem gambling compared to five years ago'. However, four in ten (38%) `disagree' (10% strongly/28% somewhat) with this assessment.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between March 26-30, 2010 on behalf of Responsible Gambling Council. For this survey, a sample of 817 adults living in Ontario from Ipsos'Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20 of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Ontario been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Senior Research Manager
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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