Ontario's mental health helpline has seen a more than 300% increase in young men reporting gambling-related problems, a new study indicates. Researchers analyzed contacts to ConnexOntario, the province's 24-hour helpline, from 2012 to 2025. The study noted a significant rise in outreach following the launch of the PlayOLG platform and the expansion of private online gambling in April 2022.
Specifically, the mean monthly rate of gambling-related outreach for males aged 15 to 24 increased by 317% after the privatization of online gambling. For men aged 25 to 44, the rate rose by approximately 108% over the same period. Researchers suggest this spike may be linked to increased gambling marketing and the introduction of high-risk betting formats like micro-betting.
Dr. Daniel Myran, a co-author of the study, emphasized that gambling disorders are a public health issue requiring accessible treatment, given their potential for severe consequences including self-harm and suicide, and broader impacts on families and communities.