A new peer-reviewed study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal examined how contacts to Ontario's gambling helpline changed over more than a decade. Researchers analyzed data from ConnexOntario, the province's free helpline for mental health, addictions, and problem gambling, covering contacts from January 2012 through September 2025.
Study Tracks Changes Before and After Ontario's iGaming Market Opened
The study looked at two key moments: the government's launch of PlayOLG in January 2015, and the opening of Ontario's competitive regulated online gambling market in April 2022. Since April 2022, Ontario online casinos and sportsbooks have operated in the province's regulated market under oversight from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario.
Gambling-Related Helpline Contacts Increased Over Time
Over the study period, ConnexOntario received 745,716 total contacts and 37,087 of those were related to gambling. Researchers observed higher contact rates after both policy changes. The largest increases occurred among males aged 15 to 24, whose monthly contact rate rose more than 300 percent between the earliest period studied and the period after the market opened.
Men aged 25 to 44 also saw a significant rise. The study's authors noted they could not determine whether the increase reflects more gambling problems, greater awareness of support services, more people seeking help, or some combination of those factors.
Online Gambling Accounted for Most Gambling-Related Contacts
Between April 2022 and September 2025, online gambling made up the majority of gambling-related contacts where the type of gambling was identified. Most callers during the study period were referred to counseling and treatment, family support, or other gambling-related services.
Ontario was Canada's first competitive regulated private online gambling market and has since been joined by Alberta. In the 2023 to 2024 period, Ontario's market included 49 licensed operators running 80 gaming and betting sites, with more than 63 billion dollars in total wagers from over 2.1 million active player accounts, according to iGaming Ontario figures cited in the study. Every regulated operator must meet Ontario's registration, responsible gambling, and compliance requirements before offering online gambling in the province.
