This document provides a policy framework to address the health and social harms that can arise from gambling. The proposed framework is meant to guide public policy and related initiatives in Ontario, Canada. The report reviews evidence, summarizes the current policy environment, and proposes evidence-informed principles. Topics covered include the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling, risk factors for experiencing gambling harm, the current gambling landscape, and the risk of different types of gambling. The recommendations proposed include:
- Move from “responsible gambling” to a public health approach
- Limit overall gambling availability
- Regulate the product features known to be most harmful
- Introduce mandatory safeguards
- Restrict advertising, marketing, and promotion
- Enhance prevention and education efforts
- Build up treatment capacity
- Reinvest in research, monitoring, and evaluation
- Develop and implement a provincial gambling strategy
