Geography & Environment Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2005
Volume
96
Issue
1
Journal
Canadian Journal of Public Health
First Page
55
Last Page
59
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404019
Abstract
Background: In the province of Québec, video lottery terminal (VLT) gambling has proliferated under government control since 1 993. The aims of this study were to describe the spatial distribution of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the municipalities of Montréal and Laval and to identify neighbourhood socio-economic conditions associated with their distribution.
Method: Locations of all establishments holding VLT licences in Montréal and Laval (n=834) were geocoded by their street address. Boroughs (n=49) were characterized by socio-economic indicators (unemployment, educational attainment, lone parenthood), a neighbourhood distress index, and measures of VLT prevalence, VLT adoption and VLT density.
Results: VLT prevalence, adoption and density were strongly correlated (p
Conclusions: The spatial distribution of VLTs in Montréal and Laval closely reflects local geographies of socio-economic disadvantage. Any public health effort to reduce the burden of gambling-related health and social problems must recognize the spatial distortion of gambling opportunities in the urban environment.
Citation of this paper:
Gilliland, J.A., Ross, N.A. Opportunities for Video Lottery Terminal Gambling in Montréal. Can J Public Health 96, 55–59 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404019
Notes
Also available open access in Canadian Journal of Public Health at: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404019