A recent study indicates a significant surge in young men reaching out to Ontario’s mental health helpline for issues related to gambling, following the introduction of private online gambling in the province. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the research suggests a pressing need for enhanced harm-reduction strategies and increased access to treatment services.
Examining data from January 2012 to September 2025, the study focused on contacts made to ConnexOntario, the province’s 24-hour mental health and addictions helpline, specifically concerning gambling. Notably, a notable uptick in contacts was observed after the launch of the PlayOLG gambling platform in January 2015 and the subsequent expansion of private online gambling in April 2022.
Over the 13-year period under review, researchers recorded over 745,700 contacts to ConnexOntario, with approximately 37,000 of these related to gambling issues. Among males aged 15 to 24, the monthly rate of gambling-related outreach per million individuals surged by 317% post-PlayOLG launch and privatization of online gambling. Similarly, for men aged 25 to 44, the rate rose by around 108% during the same period, following a period of stability pre-policy changes.
Dr. Daniel Myran, a co-author of the study and a research chair at North York General Hospital, cautioned that the increase in contacts may not solely stem from individuals seeking help for existing problems. He highlighted the proliferation of gambling marketing post-privatization as a concerning factor, emphasizing the need for stringent advertising restrictions targeting vulnerable demographics, particularly youth.
The study also revealed a notable rise in active player accounts per 100,000 individuals aged 15 or older following the privatization of online gambling, indicating a 239% increase from 2,160 to over 7,300 accounts. Myran expressed concerns about high-risk gambling practices like micro-betting that could exacerbate addiction tendencies among individuals.
Acknowledging the broader public health implications of gambling disorders, Myran stressed the importance of treating such issues as a public health concern and ensuring the availability of accessible treatment options. Dr. Luke Clark from the University of British Columbia highlighted the need to explore whether similar trends exist in other provinces offering online gambling services.
While Avin De, a fourth-year Rotman commerce student at the University of Toronto, shared his personal experience with online gambling, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations to mitigate the deepening of gambling-related problems. He highlighted the growing popularity of prediction markets and called for proactive measures to address the escalating issue.
Overall, the study underscores the critical importance of addressing gambling disorders as a public health priority and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse impacts on individuals and society at large.