The rate of young men reaching out to Ontario's mental health helpline for gambling-related issues has surged by over 300 percent following the province's introduction of private online gambling, a recent study indicates. Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the research underscores an urgent need for enhanced harm-reduction strategies and better access to treatment.
The study examined contacts made to ConnexOntario, Ontario's 24-hour free mental health and addictions helpline, for gambling-related issues from January 2012 to September 2025. Significant increases were noted starting in January 2015 with the launch of PlayOLG, a government-run online gambling platform, and even more pronounced rises occurred after the privatization of online gambling in April 2022.
During the 13-year span analyzed, ConnexOntario experienced over 745,700 contacts, with approximately 37,000 of these being related to gambling. The data revealed that among young men aged 15 to 24, the mean monthly rate of gambling-related outreach per one million individuals skyrocketed by 317 percent following the privatization of online gambling, showing a stark contrast to the earlier, stable rates. Similarly, the rate for men aged 25 to 44 rose by about 108 percent during the same timeframe.
Although increased awareness of the helpline may play a role in these numbers, Dr. Daniel Myran, a co-author of the study and research chair at North York General Hospital, cautioned against attributing the rise solely to existing problems gaining visibility. He emphasized that a significant portion of individuals with gambling disorders do not seek help, indicating the spike in contacts could reflect a larger issue of harmful gambling patterns within the population.
Myran pointed out that since the privatization of betting, there has been a notable rise in gambling marketing, which potentially targets youth. He stressed the importance of scrutinizing the demographics reached by such advertisements and the messages conveyed, advocating for restrictions on marketing that captures the attention of younger audiences, particularly as the increased contacts from young males may suggest they are primary targets for gambling promotions.
The study also highlighted a rapid increase in active online player accounts since the advent of gambling privatization—jumping from approximately 2,160 to over 7,300 accounts per 100,000 people aged 15 and older, representing a 239 percent increase between April 2022 and August of the following year. The discussion also included concerns about high-risk gambling activities such as micro-betting, which can lead to greater addiction risks.
Dr. Myran elaborated on how micro-betting enables wagering on specific events within a game, increasing the likelihood of 'loss chasing', where individuals attempt to recoup losses by continuing to bet. This behavior can rapidly escalate into gambling disorders, he noted.
Ultimately, the findings of this study position gambling disorders as a significant public health concern that demands accessible treatment options. Dr. Myran cautioned that gambling disorders can have dire consequences for individuals, raising the risk of various mental health issues, including self-harm and suicide. Moreover, the ramifications extend beyond individuals to affect families and communities, indicating a broader societal impact from gambling policy changes.
The research aims to foster a deeper understanding of the consequences of gambling and encourages policymakers to consider the broader health implications of recent developments in Ontario's gambling landscape.
