Young men increasingly reach out to gambling helpline in Ontario

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that young men in Ontario have contacted the province’s mental health helpline for gambling-related issues at a rate more than 300% higher since the introduction of private online gambling. The research indicates a significant increase in outreach from males aged 15 to 24, particularly following the launch of PlayOLG in 2015 and the expansion of online gambling in 2022. Experts call for enhanced harm-reduction measures and treatment access amid rising gambling marketing targeting vulnerable youth.

Want More Context? 🔎