Gambling helpline contacts in Ontario increased following expansion of online gambling

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Author(s): Forrest, Ryan ; Talarico, Robert ; Waqar, Anosha ; Myran, Daniel T.

Journal: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Year Published: 2026

Date Added: June 26, 2026

In this study, the researchers looked at how the number of contacts made to Ontario’s gambling helpline might have changed following policy changes that expanded the online gambling market in the province. They used data from people who contacted ConnexOntario with gambling-related concerns between January 2012 and September 2025. Gambling-related contacts to ConnexOntario increased by about 95% following the launch of the government-run online gambling platform (PlayOLG) in 2015 and expansion to allow private companies to offer online gambling, including sports betting, in 2022. The largest increases were seen among adolescent boys and men between 15 and 44 years old. These findings suggest that the expansion of online gambling in Ontario is related to increased problem gambling, help-seeking, or both.

Citation: Forrest, R., Talarico, R., Waqar, A., & Myran, D. T. (2026). Help-seeking for problem gambling following expansion of Ontario’s online gambling market and legalization of single-event sports betting. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 198(8), E281–E290. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.251894

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.251894

Keywords: adolescents ; helplines ; help-seeking ; online gambling ; policy ; public health ; young men

Topics: Children and Youth ; Information for Policy Makers ; Online Gambling ; Priority Populations ; Public Health

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Resources - Risk Assessment ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Canada, Ontario

Study Population: People who contacted ConnexOntario between January 2012 and September 2025 (N = 745,716)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers obtained monthly counts of total and gambling-related contacts to ConnexOntario from January 2012 to September 2025. They obtained the number of active accounts and total online wagers for the study period from iGaming Ontario, and monthly population estimates from Statistics Canada.

Study Funding:

This study received funding from North York General Hospital.