This report presents the findings of the 2009 New Brunswick Gambling Prevalence Study conducted by MarketQuest Research on behalf of the New Brunswick Department of Health (the Department) and the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation. This study is the fourth Gambling Prevalence Study conducted with residents of the province, with the previous studies conducted in 1992, 1996 and 2001. Eight years following the completion of the 2001 New Brunswick Gambling Prevalence Study, another gambling prevalence study has been conducted to further observe and track gambling trends in the province.

Furthermore, to enhance the value of the information obtained, several methodological improvements from the 2001 study were identified and incorporated into the current study, including an increased sample size (from 800 respondents to approximately 2,800 respondents) and analysis of the data on a regional level. Moreover, a more comprehensive list of gambling activities such as poker (including poker at home, friends’ home, and at work; electronic poker; and Internet poker) and Internet gambling (excluding Internet poker) was assessed to accurately reflect the increasing popularity of these activities, as well as trends observed in the provision of support and treatment services. Enhancements such as the ones described allowed for a more in-depth analysis of the data gathered as well as an analysis of rapidly expanding areas of concern.

This study gathered data with respect to:
• The prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in the province;
• Demographic characteristics of gambling subtypes;
• Demographic characteristics of participants of gambling activities (e.g., VLT players);
• Gambling expenditures;
• Awareness of gambling support services;
• Awareness and impact of the Problem Gambling Awareness campaign; and
• Consequences related to gambling.

The results from this study will be used to provide the information needed to continue to provide effective gambling treatment services and targeted education and awareness initiatives to residents of the province.

Reference: Department of Health and New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation