More Ontarians with gambling disorders are showing up in emergency departments, study finds
A study finds Ontario emergency visits for gambling disorders nearly doubled after 2022 online gambling expansion, with young males most affected.Summary
A 14-year study published by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences found that emergency department visits for gambling disorders in Ontario have nearly doubled (approximately 99% higher) since the province expanded its online gambling market to private companies in 2022. The research, covering patients aged 10 to 105, identified young males (ages 10-29) as the highest-risk group, with visits for this demographic up 154% above expected levels. The surge followed a massive growth in online gambling, with 2.6 million player accounts wagering $82.7 billion in 2024. Senior author Dr. Daniel Myran noted a gradual, consistent increase rather than an immediate spike. The study also highlights that over 70% of gambling disorder visits involved another mental health condition or heavy substance abuse, and calls to the ConnexOntario helpline have also risen significantly. Researchers describe the emergency visits as the 'tip of the iceberg,' as individuals with gambling problems often seek help only after severe health and social harms develop.
(Source：CP24 Toronto)