It's the Technology, Stupid

The youth has cast its vote. Young Canadians are open to online gambling. But, there seems to be a problem.

The Survey
A national survey, which appeared in the Montreal Gazette and presented by pollster Allan Gregg, Chairman of Harris/Decima, at the 2008 Canadian Gaming Summit, reveals the following:

Over half, 56 percent to be exact, of those aged 18 to 34 said online casinos are an acceptable form of gambling. Yes, Canadians under 35 years of age are more likely to be gambling more than older Canadians.

Thirty five percent of those 35 and over favor online gambling, and the number swindles and falls to 20 percent among those 55 or older.

Technology Driven Gaming
The explanation offered for these numbers is that the younger you are, the more open and excited you are over technology driven forms of gaming and gambling. This includes buying lottery tickets over mobile phones, not only playing at online casinos. An entire world of gambling technology, by all means.

Politics and personal convictions aside, the gambling industry in Canada cannot however capitalize on the young (potential) gamblers. Canada's laws do not allow for online gambling.

Not that they don't already gamble. Canadians spend about $400 million a year, according to estimated, including the one presented by Paul Burns, Vice-President of the Canadian Gaming Association.

The survey covered 3,047 participants.