Spike in Young Men Seeking Gambling Support in Ontario After Legalization
Rising Calls to Gambling Help Lines Among Young Men
A recent study featured in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights a significant rise in young men seeking assistance from Ontario’s mental health helpline concerning gambling issues. This increase correlates with the province’s decision to legalize private online gambling.
Study Findings on Increased Outreach
The research focused on males aged 15 to 24 and found that the average monthly number of gambling-related contacts to ConnexOntario—a free, round-the-clock mental health and addiction helpline—jumped by 317% after the introduction of private online gambling platforms compared to the period before the launch of PlayOLG.
Data spanning from January 2012 to September 2025 revealed that ConnexOntario received over 745,700 total contacts, with around 37,000 related to gambling issues. The study noted a noticeable rise in calls beginning in 2015, coinciding with the launch of the PlayOLG platform, and another significant increase during 2022 when private online gambling expanded.
From April 2022 to August 2023, active player accounts among individuals 15 and older surged from approximately 2,160 to over 7,300 per 100,000 people, marking a 239% growth. This increase parallels the growing engagement within Ontario’s iGaming sector, which maintained robust double-digit growth throughout 2025. In December 2025 alone, wagers processed by operators totaled CAD 9.5 billion (about USD 7 billion), reflecting a 26% year-over-year increase.
Concerns Raised by Experts on Gambling Risks
Daniel Myran, a research chair at North York General Hospital and co-author of the study, emphasized that the rise in helpline calls cannot be attributed solely to increased awareness or more individuals seeking help for pre-existing problems. He pointed out that many people with gambling problems do not seek treatment, and those who do often utilize helplines like ConnexOntario.
Myran suggested that the surge in calls might represent just a small portion of a larger increase in harmful gambling behaviors. He also highlighted the significant growth in gambling advertisements following the privatization of online betting in Ontario. The demographic experiencing the sharpest increase in contacts—young men—is also the primary target of these advertisements and the group most likely to engage in sports betting.
Given these concerns, Myran advocated for policymakers to carefully examine the reach and content of gambling advertisements. He recommended implementing restrictions, particularly since many ads appear in venues frequented by youth, to help mitigate potential risks associated with gambling exposure.
