Jeffrey Derevensky

My name is Jeffrey Derevensky, and if I reflect on my professional journey, I see a continuous effort to understand a complex and often underestimated issue — gambling behavior among youth. My work did not begin in gambling research. Instead, it evolved from a broader interest in psychology, specifically how young people develop behavioral patterns, make decisions under uncertainty, and respond to risk.

Early Academic Foundations

I began my academic path grounded in developmental psychology. From the outset, I was drawn to questions that involved cognition, behavior, and environmental influence. How do adolescents perceive risk? Why do some individuals gravitate toward high-risk activities while others avoid them? These were not abstract questions for me — they were central to understanding real-world outcomes.

At that time, most research on gambling focused almost exclusively on adults. Problem gambling was seen as an adult issue, often linked to financial mismanagement or addiction later in life. However, through my early observations and data exposure, I began to see a pattern that contradicted this assumption.

I noticed that many adult gamblers had histories of early exposure to gambling-like activities. This raised a critical hypothesis:

Gambling behavior does not begin in adulthood — it often develops much earlier.

That realization fundamentally shaped the direction of my career.

Entering the Field of Gambling Research

My transition into gambling studies was not abrupt. It was a logical extension of my existing research interests. I began focusing on youth risk behaviors, and gambling quickly emerged as a significant yet under-researched domain.

At McGill University, where I would later establish much of my work, I found an environment that allowed interdisciplinary research. This was essential because gambling behavior is not purely psychological — it intersects with sociology, education, public health, and policy.

I started conducting some of the earliest structured studies on adolescent gambling behavior in Canada. What I found was concerning:

• A significant percentage of adolescents had already engaged in gambling activities
• Many did not perceive gambling as risky
• Early exposure was often normalized through family, media, or informal games

These findings challenged existing narratives and required a new framework.

Building a Research Framework

As I continued my work, I realized that youth gambling could not be studied using the same models applied to adults. Adolescents differ in cognitive development, impulse control, and risk assessment.

I began developing a framework based on three core dimensions:

1. Accessibility — how easily youth can access gambling opportunities
2. Perception — how they interpret gambling (entertainment vs risk)
3. Reinforcement — how early wins or losses shape future behavior

This framework became foundational in many of my later studies.

Establishing Research Infrastructure

Recognizing the need for a dedicated research hub, I was instrumental in developing what would become one of the leading centers in this field — the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University.

This was not just an academic initiative. It was designed to:

• Conduct empirical research
• Develop prevention programs
• Inform public policy
• Educate communities

The goal was clear: move beyond theory and create measurable impact.

Early Research Contributions

In my early studies, I focused on prevalence rates and behavioral patterns among adolescents. The data revealed several consistent trends:

• Youth gambling rates were higher than previously estimated
• Males were more likely to engage in high-risk gambling
• Comorbid behaviors (such as substance use) were strongly correlated

One of the most important insights was the role of normalization. Gambling was often introduced casually — through family card games, sports betting conversations, or arcade-style machines.

This blurred the line between harmless play and risky behavior.

Academic and Professional Roles

Over time, my role expanded beyond research. I became involved in teaching, mentoring, and advising institutions.

Below is a structured overview of my key professional affiliations:

Interactive Career Timeline

Below is an interactive table summarizing key milestones in my career:

Key Publications and Research Work

My research output spans numerous peer-reviewed articles, reports, and collaborative studies. Below is a selection of key works:

Expanding Into Digital Gambling

As technology evolved, so did my research focus. The rise of online gambling, mobile apps, and esports betting introduced new variables.

Unlike traditional gambling:

• Access became constant (24/7 availability)
• Barriers to entry decreased
• Gamification blurred the perception of risk

I began studying how these changes affected youth behavior specifically. One of the most concerning developments was the overlap between gaming and gambling mechanics — loot boxes, skins betting, and reward systems.

These systems often mimic gambling without being regulated as such.

Personal Reflection on My Work

If I had to summarize my approach, it would be this:

I do not study gambling as an isolated activity. I study it as part of a broader behavioral ecosystem.

Understanding behavior early — before it becomes problematic — is where meaningful change happens.

This is only part of my story. In the next section, I will go deeper into:

• My international collaborations
• Policy influence and advisory work
• Advanced research findings
• The future of gambling studies

As my work progressed, I increasingly understood that gambling behavior among youth was not a localized issue. It was global, complex, and deeply influenced by cultural, technological, and regulatory differences. My research naturally expanded beyond Canada, and I began collaborating with scholars, institutions, and policymakers across multiple countries.

Working with international teams allowed me to compare behavioral patterns across regions. While access to gambling varied depending on regulation, the psychological drivers remained surprisingly consistent. Adolescents, regardless of geography, were drawn to reward systems, fast outcomes, and environments where skill and chance appeared intertwined. This reinforced my earlier conclusion that gambling behavior is not only about opportunity, but also about perception and cognitive framing.

At McGill University, I continued to lead research initiatives that explored these cross-cultural dynamics. One of the most valuable aspects of this work was identifying universal risk factors. These included impulsivity, sensation-seeking tendencies, early exposure to gambling-like systems, and the normalization of betting behavior through media and peer groups. These variables appeared repeatedly in different datasets, strengthening the reliability of our models.

As I engaged more deeply with policymakers, my role evolved from researcher to advisor. Governments and regulatory bodies began to recognize that youth gambling required specific attention. Traditional frameworks were insufficient, as they were designed for adult populations. I contributed to the development of prevention strategies that focused on education, awareness, and structural safeguards rather than reactive interventions.

One of the key insights I emphasized in policy discussions was that restricting access alone is not enough. Adolescents often find alternative pathways, especially in digital environments. Therefore, prevention must also address cognitive understanding. Young individuals need to recognize how gambling systems are designed, how probability works, and how reinforcement mechanisms influence behavior.

Below is a structured overview of my international collaborations and advisory roles.

To better illustrate the scope of my work across institutions, the following interactive table outlines key positions and collaborations in a structured format.

As the gambling landscape evolved, my attention increasingly shifted toward digital environments. Online platforms fundamentally changed how individuals interact with gambling systems. Accessibility became constant, and the distinction between gaming and gambling became less clear. This convergence created new challenges, particularly for younger audiences who are already immersed in digital ecosystems.

One of the most significant developments I studied was the emergence of simulated gambling systems within video games. These systems often replicate the structure of gambling without being classified as such. Features like randomized rewards, in-game currencies, and purchasable items create behavioral loops that closely resemble traditional gambling mechanics. From a psychological standpoint, the impact can be comparable, especially when exposure occurs at an early age.

I approached this issue by analyzing reinforcement patterns. The core mechanism is not the monetary reward itself, but the anticipation and variability of outcomes. Variable reward schedules are highly effective in sustaining engagement. When combined with visual and auditory stimuli, they create a powerful feedback loop that can condition behavior over time.

Below is a table highlighting key research themes I have explored in relation to modern gambling environments.

Another area that became increasingly important in my work was education. I strongly believe that effective prevention begins with awareness. This does not mean simply informing individuals that gambling can be risky. It means helping them understand how gambling systems operate at a structural level.

For example, many young individuals overestimate their ability to influence outcomes. This misconception is often reinforced by early wins or by game designs that create an illusion of control. Addressing this requires more than warnings. It requires structured educational programs that explain probability, randomness, and cognitive bias in accessible ways.

In collaboration with schools and educational organizations, I worked on developing such programs. These initiatives aimed to equip young people with the tools needed to critically evaluate gambling-related experiences. The goal was not to eliminate engagement entirely, but to ensure that it occurs within an informed framework.

My research also extended into comorbid behaviors. Gambling rarely exists in isolation. It often overlaps with other risk behaviors, such as substance use or excessive gaming. Understanding these connections allowed for a more comprehensive approach to prevention and intervention.

Below is a table summarizing selected publications that reflect the evolution of my research focus.

As I reflect on the broader impact of my work, I do not measure success solely in publications or citations. The true value lies in whether the research contributes to meaningful change. Have policies improved? Are educational systems better equipped? Are young individuals more aware of the risks they face?

These are the metrics that matter.

Looking ahead, I see the field continuing to evolve alongside technology. Artificial intelligence, virtual environments, and new forms of digital interaction will introduce additional layers of complexity. However, the core principles remain the same. Understanding behavior, identifying risk factors, and developing effective prevention strategies will continue to be central.

If there is one idea that defines my work, it is this:

Gambling behavior is not random. It is structured, influenced, and, to a significant extent, predictable when studied correctly.

And if it is predictable, it can be addressed.

That belief has guided my research from the beginning and continues to shape the work I do today.