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The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Humphreys, Brad

    (University of Alberta, Department of Economics)

  • Nyman, John

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Ruseski, Jane

    (University of Alberta, Department of Economics)

Abstract

The relationship between gambling and health has important economic and public policy implications. We develop causal evidence about the relationship between recreational gambling and health using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycles 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1. Recreational gamblers are gamblers who are classifi ed as "non-problem" gamblers according to the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). Gambling is treated as an endogenous regressor in the health equations. The results of instrumental variable and bivariate probit models of participation in gambling and health outcomes indicate that recreational gambling has either no or a negative impact on the probability of having certain chronic conditions. These results diff er from studies that find a positive association between problem gambling and adverse health outcomes. Exogeneity tests suggest that gambling is endogenous; hence, empirical methods that address endogeneity are necessary to develop causal evidence of a relationship between gambling and health.

Suggested Citation

  • Humphreys, Brad & Nyman, John & Ruseski, Jane, 2011. "The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada," Working Papers 2011-18, University of Alberta, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:albaec:2011_018
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    File URL: https://sites.ualberta.ca/~econwps/2011/wp2011-18.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. A. Bussu & C. Detotto, 2014. "Understanding the relationship between gambling and other addictive behaviors," Working Paper CRENoS 201403, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    2. Legendre, Nicolas & Nitani, Miwako & Riding, Allan, 2021. "Are franchises really more viable? Evidence from loan defaults," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 23-33.
    3. Anna Bussu & Claudio Detotto, 2015. "The bidirectional relationship between gambling and addictive substances," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(2), pages 285-308, August.
    4. Christian Martín García, 2016. "Economía del deporte: una revisión sobre el Estudio de la participación en actividades físicas y deportivas," Ensayos de Política Económica, Departamento de Investigación Francisco Valsecchi, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina., vol. 2(4), pages 133-148, Octubre.
    5. David Forrest, 2013. "An Economic And Social Review Of Gambling In Great Britain," Journal of Gambling Business and Economics, University of Buckingham Press, vol. 7(3), pages 1-33.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health; government policy; sports; gambling; recreation; tourism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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