Ontario sees sharp rise in emergency visits for gambling addiction, especially among young men

A study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine tracked 757 individuals who made 952 emergency department visits for gambling disorders in Ontario between 2012 and the present, a period that coincides with the rollout of regulated online gambling and single-event sports betting. Overall visits rose 31.3% compared with the pre-liberalisation period. Men and boys accounted for 72% of cases, with visits climbing 154% among males aged 10-29 and 116% among men 30-44, while female visits remained stable.

The majority of patients also presented with co-occurring substance use or mental-health crises, including suicidal ideation. Co-author Ryan Forrest hopes the findings will prompt other jurisdictions to reconsider similar gambling expansions. The study adds to earlier research showing a steep increase in gambling-related calls to Ontario’s ConnexOntario helpline.