Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals

Introduction to Gambling
(“Facts About Gambling in Ontario and Canada” continued)
• In 2006, total commercial casino revenue was $1.7 billion. 3
• Ontario’s four commercial casinos created more than 27,000 direct and
indirect jobs. 4
• Since 1998, six charity casinos have opened in the province. From these
operations, Ontario charities are guaranteed $100 million annually. 4
• Charity and casino racetrack slot machines generated $1.9 billion in revenue
in 2006. 3
• Since the opening of Ontario’s first slot machines in 1998 (Windsor
Raceway), Ontario now has 17 racetracks with slot machines. As of 2006,
Ontario racetracks housed more than 10,000 slot machines, which are
played by almost 17,000 patrons per day. There are only five racetracks
without slot machines in Ontario. The racing industry receives 10% of
the revenue from slot machines. 3
references
1. Wiebe, J., Mun, P. & Kauffman, N. (2006). Gambling and problem gambling in Ontario.
Toronto, ON: Responsible Gaming Council. Available: www.gamblingresearch.org/
download.sz/1043%20Final%20Report%20POSTED%20VERSION.pdfdocid=7670.
Accessed February 1, 2008.
2. Canadian Gaming Association. (2007). National gaming impact study backgrounder.
Available: www.canadiangaming.ca/media_uploads/pdf/53.pdf. Accessed February 8, 2008.
3. Ontario Lottery and Gaming. (2006). OLG Annual report 2005–2006. Available:
www.olg.ca/assets/documents/annual_report/annual_report_05-06.pdf. Accessed
February 1, 2008.
4. Ontario Lottery and Gaming. (n.d.). OLG website. Available: www.olg.ca/index.jsp.
Accessed February 8, 2008.
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