Let’s take some time to explore some of the little known facts and myths that surround gambling activities and other related topics:

 1. If you buy one ticket on the Lotto Super 7, your odds of winning are:

2. If you flip a coin nine times and it comes up tails each time, the chances heads will occur on the 10th flip are:

1. 50%
2. 100%
3. 80%
4. 75%

3. The most popular form of gambling in Ontario for adults is:

1. Bingo
2. Casinos
3. Lotteries
4. Slot machines

4. Which province/region has the highest rate of participation in gambling activities?

1. Atlantic region
2. British Columbia
3. Ontario
4. Prairies

5. What percentage of Ontarians reported gambling at least once in the past 12 months?

1. 18%
2. 27.6%
3. 63.3%
4. 43.7%
5. 51.8%

6. Circle the true statement:

1. Teens who gamble are more likely to develop gambling problems than adults who gamble
2. Teens who gamble are less likely than adults to develop a gambling problem
3. There’s an equal chance that teens and adults will get “hooked” on gambling

7. Which of the following did Ontario residents perceive as the top two benefits of gambling?

1. Opportunity to socialize
2. Excitement
3. Forget problems
4. Win money
5. Support charities

8. Which of the following reasons was ranked highest by Ontario residents as a motivation for gambling?

1. Social reasons
2. Enjoyment
3. Donation to charity
4. Thrill of winning

9. Which one(s) of the following are signs that a person may have a gambling problem? Circle any or all that apply.

1. Regularly gambling more money than is affordable
2. Regularly gambling longer than intended
3. Often feeling guilty about gambling
4. Regularly gambling on horse races

10. Which of these will significantly affect a person’s likelihood of winning at slot machines or video poker? Circle any or all that apply.

1. Feeling lucky
2. Length of time since last payout
3. Skill with video games
4. Skill at card games
5. Frequency of playing
6. All of the above
7. None of the above

Fact or myth answers

1. c) The odds of winning the Lotto Super 7 jackpot are determined mathematically using statistical and algebraic formulas. When seven numbers are picked from a pool between one and 49 (in this case), the number of potential combinations is almost 21 million; therefore, the odds are approximately 1: 21,000,000. The odds for Lotto-649 are approximately 1:14,000,000.
2. a) Recent past flips do not, in any way, predict or influence how the next flip will turn out; the odds of heads coming up on the next flip are identical to all previous flips: 50/50. The belief that an outcome is likely or “due” is known as the “gambler’s fallacy” and can lead people to place large bets on outcomes they believe are highly unlikely, even when the odds are no more than even.
3. c) In a 2001 study completed by Jamie Wiebe et.al. It was determined that the most popular activities, for those who gambled in the past 12 months, in Ontario, were lotteries at 64.6% and raffle tickets at 51%. While lotteries remain the most popular activity today, revenues from casino gambling will most likely surpass them over the next few years. This coincides with a study completed by Canada West Foundation (CWF) which showed that 55.3% of those polled stated they played lotteries on a regular basis.
4. c) The same CWF study showed that Ontario had the highest rate of participation with 79% followed by B.C. with 74%, the prairies 72%, Quebec 65% and the Atlantic Provinces at 63%.
5. c) According to Wiebe, In 2005, 63.3 per cent of Ontario adults say they have gambled at least once in the past year.
6. a) Research, by Haubrick-Casperson and Van Nispen shows that teenagers are at a greater risk of developing problems with gambling. There are many risk factors associated with adolescence such as psychological and social development and maturity, impulsiveness, lack of judgment and poor decision-making skills. Many of the risk factors that lead to developing alcohol and substance abuse problems are similar. Derevensky and Gupta are doing similar research
7. (b&d) In the Wiebe study 42.1% reported the possibility of winning money was the greatest perceived benefit, while 36.5% believed that a huge benefit is the excitement experienced. Almost one-fifth (19%) of those surveyed saw no benefit to gambling.
8. b) Wiebe’s study showed that Ontario residents who gambled in casinos, 28.6% gambled for the excitement while 25.2% gambled to win money. 83% of gamblers stated that this was their primary motivation. Donating to charity was 49% and entertainment was 43%
9. a), b) & c) All three answers are common signals that gambling is causing problems.  Answer “d” related to regular gambling on horse races.  Gambling regularly on horse racing may not indicate a gambling problem
10. g) None of the answers are correct. In gambling, persistence doesn’t pay off over time. Feeling lucky, or the belief that a machine is “due” to pay off, will not influence subsequent plays. Skill at video games has no significant influence on slot machines or video poker outcomes. Both are based on random chance; there is no skill, “magic,” or control individuals can exert over video slot machines. Video slots, like other forms of gambling, are skewed in favour of the “house,” which take a constant percentage of players’ bets over time. The bottom line: over time, gamblers lose more than they win. Because video games show credits rather than cash, players tend to forget they're playing with real money.

References

Azmier, Jason. (2000). Gambling in Canada - Triumph, Tragedy or Tradeoff. Calgary, Alberta: Canada West Foundation.

Ferris, J., et.al. (1996). Gambling in Ontario. A Report from a general population survey on gambling related problems and opinions. Toronto, Ontario: Addiction Research Foundation. 

Haubrick-Casperson & Van Nispen. (1993). Coping with teen gambling. New York, New York: Rosen Publishing Company.

Derevensky, J. & Gupta, R. (1998). "Adolescent gambling behavior. A prevalence study."  Journal of Gambling Studies, 14(4) Winter.

Wiebe et.al. (2006). Gambling and Problem Gambling in Ontario 2005. Responsible Gambling Council.

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