title: A cross-cultural comparison of population gambling patterns and regulatory frameworks: France and Québec.
abstract: Few empirical studies have examined the relationships between differing regulatory approaches and patterns of gambling behaviors. This article reports on a correlational cross-cultural comparison of differences in the regulatory approaches and gambling behavior among general adult populations in France and Québec, Canada. We drew data from two large population surveys conducted in France and Québec (N=27 653 and N=11 888, respectively). We found diverging and converging aspects of government regulatory policies. Statistical analyses demonstrated significantly higher participation rates and prevalence of 'assiduous gamblers' in Québec. In France, among assiduous gamblers, the proportion of moderate-risk and probable pathological gamblers is significantly higher. Future research should examine environmental conditions and varying gambling offerings, as well as gambling regulation, to determine their potential influence on gambling behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University, 1455 Blvd de Maisonneuve W, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Quebec, Canada. Sylvia.kairouz@concordia.ca.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kairouz
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paradis
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nadeau
authors.affiliation: Quantitative Survey Unit, French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions (Observatoire Français des Drogues et Toxicomanies - OFDT), La Plaine Saint Denis, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Line
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tovar
authors.affiliation: Quantitative Survey Unit, French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions (Observatoire Français des Drogues et Toxicomanies - OFDT), La Plaine Saint Denis, France.
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pousset
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000208:ethnology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005602:France; D005715:Gambling / Q000208:ethnology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: France; Québec; comparative analysis; gambling participation; gambling regulation; problem gambling