Gambling-Disorder ER Visits Nearly Doubled in Ontario, Study Finds

Emergency department visits for gambling disorders in Ontario rose sharply after Canada legalized single-event sports betting in 2021 and the province opened its regulated online gambling market to private operators in 2022, according to a study by researchers at the University of Toronto and ICES. The findings, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and released on 16 September 2026, show the increase was concentrated among young men.

The study’s senior author, Dr. Daniel Myran, told CTV News that visits for gambling disorders are now about 99% higher than before the online market expanded, with no sudden jump but a steady climb of about 7% every three months.

What the researchers found

The team analyzed emergency department visits by Ontarians aged 10 to 105 over a 14-year period ending in 2025, comparing what happened after the rule changes with what would have been expected based on earlier trends. Over the full period, 757 people made 952 visits in which a gambling disorder was recorded as the main or a contributing reason. Almost three-quarters of those patients were male.

By the end of the study period, visits were 154% higher than expected among males aged 10 to 29 and 116% higher than expected among males aged 30 to 44. The researchers found no change among females. More than 70% of the visits also involved another mental health condition or heavy substance use, and almost one-third led to a hospital admission. “The concentration of the increase among younger males is particularly concerning given the rapid growth and promotion of online sports betting,” said first author Ryan Forrest, a doctoral student at U of T’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, in the university’s release.

Why emergency visits matter

The same researchers had earlier reported a substantial rise in gambling-related contacts to ConnexOntario, the province’s mental health and addiction helpline. That increase could partly reflect promotion of the helpline itself, because gambling ads and websites in Ontario must display its contact details. Emergency departments receive no comparable promotion, which is why the authors see the new data as stronger evidence that harm has grown alongside the market.

Emergency visits also capture only the most serious cases. “Most people experiencing gambling problems will never seek care,” Myran said in the release, adding that the observed increase may point to much larger growth in gambling-related harm. The study is observational: it shows that the rise followed the policy changes and diverged from earlier trends, but it does not measure how much of the increase is attributable to any one product or operator.

The research arrives as other provinces weigh Ontario’s model. Alberta opened its own market to private operators in July 2026, and Myran said jurisdictions considering the same step should weigh the risks and consider safeguards such as restrictions on marketing and higher-risk forms of gambling.

What it means for players in Ontario

Every site in Ontario’s regulated market must let players set deposit and loss limits, with periods that include 24 hours, seven days and one month, and must offer the option at registration. Setting a limit before a session is easier than deciding mid-session.

For a complete break, BetGuard lets anyone 19 or older opt out of every regulated online gambling site in Ontario, including OLG’s, through one portal. It blocks access to existing accounts, prevents new ones and stops marketing from regulated sites. The BetGuard guide explains the process.

Help is free and confidential. ConnexOntario is available 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600, by texting 247247 or through chat at connexontario.ca. More options are on the responsible gambling page.