Ontario study reports 317% rise in young men’s gambling helpline calls
Researchers in Ontario reported that gambling-related calls from men aged 15–24 to ConnexOntario rose 317% between the period after PlayOLG launched in January 2015 and the period after the private market opened in 2022. The study analysed helpline contacts from January 2012 to September 2025 and associated the introduction of online gambling and later single-event sports betting with increases in contacts.
The findings may affect Ontario operators’ and regulators’ assessment of gambling-related support needs among young men.