MONTREAL - A new study suggests that nearly 70 per cent of adults in Quebec spent money on gambling last year.
The survey of nearly 12,000 people also indicates that Quebecers spend an average of nearly $500 each on gambling every year.
Dr. Sylvia Kairouz, a Concordia University professor and one of the study's lead researchers, says nearly 1.3 per cent of the province's adult population is at moderate risk of developing a gambling problem.
Kairouz told a news conference in Montreal on Wednesday that 0.7 per cent, or close to 41,000 Quebecers, could become pathological gamblers.
The study was conducted between June and September 2009 and is the first part of a five-year survey.
Kairouz also said online gambling has become much more popular in recent years.
Dr. Louise Nadeau, a Montreal psychologist and a co-researcher of the study, told the news conference she believes many young people will probably turn to poker after Quebecer Jonathan Duhamel's recent $8.94-million bonanza at the World Series of Poker.
"And they're going to lose because they're not good at it," Nadeau said.
"You know what? For most people, losing is the best teaching lesson."
