Détails des événements

Youth gambling is an evolving public health issue, shaped by increased access to online platforms, sports betting, and gambling-like features in video games. Drawing on population-level data from Canadian secondary school students, this work highlights that a meaningful proportion of youth report recent engagement in multiple forms of gambling, including online and non-online sports betting and online casino-style gambling. Engagement with microtransactions and loot boxes in video games is even more common.

Complementary longitudinal evidence shows that adolescents who play video games for extended periods of time and adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms are more likely to engage in online gambling over time, suggesting these may be important upstream risk factors.

Together, these findings point to the need for integrated prevention approaches that consider the full spectrum of youth gambling behaviours alongside mental health promotion. These data and their implications will be explored further.

Intended Audience: Child and youth health researchers; public health professionals interested in child and youth health, gambling, and mental health; professionals that work with youth in school settings. 

By the end of this event, participants will be able to:

• Describe the current landscape of youth gambling behaviours, including online and non online gambling, sports betting, and gambling like features in video games.
• Define the range of gambling modalities youth are exposed to, including emerging forms such as microtransactions and loot boxes, and how these blur the line between gaming and gambling.
• Summarize evidence linking adolescent behaviours and mental health to engagement in online gambling.
• Identify subgroups of youth who may be at elevated risk for gambling-related harms.

Dr. Adam Cole, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. His research investigates patterns and predictors of risky behaviours among students in Canada and evaluates school-based programs and policies targeting vaping and other substances. He is the Tobacco Research Lead for the COMPASS study, the largest ongoing youth health survey in Canada.

Dr. Karen Patte, PhD is the Canada Research Chair in Child Health Equity and Inclusion and an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Brock University. Her research examines how different contexts and exposures shape health trajectories across the lifespan, with the goal to inform more effective and equitable preventative practice. Her research on youth health integrates longitudinal school-based surveys with youth engagement and qualitative components. She is the Co-Lead of the COMPASS study, the largest ongoing youth health survey in Canada.

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or events@oahpp.ca.