Gambling in Canada: some insights for cost–benefit analysis

In recent years, the size and scope of legalized gambling in Canada has risen sharply. This increase has taken place in a chaotic fashion, and largely in the absence of a clear picture of what the net benefits might be. This paper describes distinguishing features of gambling in Canada. It then summarizes the emergent state of extant cost–benefit analyses, and presents the case for more comprehensive evaluations of the economic, social, and health outcomes. A greater emphasis upon interdisciplinarity and alternative research paradigms is indicated.