SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, April 3 /CNW/ - Who buys lottery tickets in
Ontario? As players get in on this Friday's LOTTO SUPER 7 $25 million Bonus
Jackpot (April 4, 2003), research from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation (OLGC) on the demographics of lottery players shows that lotteries
are highly popular with adults from every walk of life.
Lotteries have very broad appeal with the adults of Ontario. Market
research shows lottery players closely reflect the demographics of the
province as a whole. In terms of education and income, lottery players really
are the same as the general population.
OLGC surveys approximately 3,600 people each year on their lottery
purchasing. 68% of Ontario adults are regular lottery players (they've played
recently and plan to play again) and 28% of adults play at least once a week.
As a group, lottery players report a mean household income of $56,640
with all people surveyed reporting a mean household income of $55,450. That
finding is consistent with 58% of players working full-time outside the home
as compared to 53% of all those surveyed report working full-time. In terms of
education, 27% of lottery players have completed community college compared to
26% of the general population. A slightly higher portion of the general
population reported having completed university (30% to 35% of players).
If won, this week's $25 million SUPER 7 jackpot would be the second-
largest prize ever awarded on this game. Tickets for the draw are available at
more than 7,800 retail locations throughout Ontario until 9:00 PM, Friday,
April 4, 2003. It is a provincial offence, punishable by fines, to sell OLGC
lottery tickets to anyone under 18 years of age.
It's just a game. Play responsibly.
THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505.
Disponible en français
www.OLGC.ca
WHO PLAYS LOTTERIES IN ONTARIO?
OLGC LOTTERY PLAYER FACT SHEET
KEY FINDINGS:
- Lottery players in Ontario closely reflect the adult population in
every demographic measure.
- No group, either by age, education or income, plays lotteries
significantly more than any other group.
- People with lower incomes are less likely to play, and spend less when
they do play, than any other income group.
- 68% of all Ontario adults are lottery players (they've played before
and plan to play again).
- 28% of all Ontario adults play lotteries at least once a week.
- Men and women play in proportion to the general population.
- Lottery play is even across all regions of the province.
DETAILED FINDINGS:
Age: Lottery players are similar in age to the general adult population,
with a slightly higher rate in the age 35-54 category.
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AGE(*) CURRENT PLAYERS ONTARIO POPULATION
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18-34 29% 34%
35-54 44% 39%
55+ 28% 27%
(*) may not total 100 (mean age (mean age
due to rounding equals 45) equals 44)
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Education: Lottery players have completed levels of education similar
to the general adult population.
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COMPLETED EDUCATION(*) CURRENT PLAYERS ONTARIO POPULATION
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Elementary School 3% 3%
High School 38% 34%
Community College 27% 26%
University/Post Graduate 30% 35%
(*) may not total 100
due to rounding
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Employment: Lottery players have a slightly higher employment rate than
the general adult population.
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EMPLOYMENT STATUS CURRENT PLAYERS ONTARIO POPULATION
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Working full time
outside home 58% 53%
Working part time 8% 9%
Full time homemaker 5% 6%
Retired 19% 20%
Student 4% 5%
Currently not employed 5% 6%
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Total Household Income: Lottery players have slightly higher total
household incomes than the general adult population.
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HOUSEHOLD INCOME CURRENT PLAYERS ONTARIO POPULATION
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Under $30,000 20% 22%
$30,000 to $40,000 25% 25%
$50,000 to $74,000 26% 24%
$75,000 and over 29% 29%
Mean Income $56,640 $55,450
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Spending By Income Group: Ontario adults with a household income of less
than $30,000 are the least likely to play lotteries. Half of these
adults spent nothing on tickets in the previous month, and they tend to
spend less than those with higher incomes do. Middle income earners
tend to spend slightly more than other income groups.
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SPENT LAST UNDER $30,000 $30,000 TO $50,000 TO $75,000 AND
MONTH $49,000 $74,000 OVER
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$0 50% 44% 38% 44%
$1 - $9 14% 14% 14% 16%
$10 - $19 12% 14% 13% 15%
$20 - $49 16% 18% 22% 17%
$50 - $99 4% 6% 7% 5%
$100 or more 3% 5% 5% 3%
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Typical Spending By Income Group: Of those who reported spending $1 or
more in the previous month, those with lower incomes spent less than
those in higher income groups.
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UNDER $30,000 $30,000 TO $50,000 TO $75,000 AND
$49,000 $74,000 OVER
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Mean Spend $24.61 $32.78 $34.81 $25.48
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Sources: All figures are based on the OLGC's Tracking Study, which
includes approximately 6,000 interviews with Ontario adults per year.
(February 2003)
For further information: OLGC COMMUNICATIONS - (705) 946-6716,
(416) 324-6541
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