Problem Gambling Treatment in Ontario
Whether your gambling behavior started many years ago, or ramped up with the recent legalization (and fast growth) of sports betting in Ontario, your relationship with the activity has taken a concerning turn. It has had a negative impact on your finances, relationships, and mental health, and despite efforts you have not been able to take a break or outright stop on your own. For these reasons you have come online to search for confidential, convenient. and effective problem gambling treatment in Ontario. You’ll be pleased to know that America’s most powerful virtual platform for treating problem gambling is now available in Canada, beginning with the province of Ontario. Use our convenient online booking form or call now to get your FREE assessment and to book your first virtual counseling session.
PROBLEM GAMBLERS HOTLINE: 1-877-426-4258
or
TAP HERE TO BOOK ONLINE
(Ontario residents)
Book an appointment with a licenced therapist
Get safe and nonjudgmental treatment from therapists who specialize in the area of Gambling Addiction.
Get Help to Quit Gambling with our Self-Guided Course Online
Learn how gambling can become an addiction, and find actionable ways to restoring balance in your life right now.
This groundbreaking course is an affordable alternative, or supplement, to therapy and can be an excellent support for habit change.
Brief Background of Gambling in Ontario
Is Gambling Legal in Ontario?
Casino gaming: Land-based casinos are legal in Ontario, Canada. In fact, the province is more gambling friendly that most states south of the border. At press, Ontario has more than 70 gaming establishments, featuring slot machines, roulette, table games, poker, keno, and more. While Niagara Falls, Ontario, only has two casinos, it is a major destination for casino tourism.
Online casino gaming: Ontario’s gambling friendliness also applies to online casino gaming. The province is the first in Canada to have a fully regulated market for online casinos. To put this in further context, only seven of the 50 U.S. states have legalized and regulated online casino gambling.
Sports betting: Ontario legalized both land-based and online sports betting after the Canadian government removed the ban on the activity in 2021. While other provinces such as BC only allow sports betting within their respective provincial lotteries, Ontario is the only one to allow private companies to offer sports betting and daily fantasy sports.
Gambling Addiction Statistics for Ontario
Ontario has a very strong appetite for gambling. Recent data finds that the province ranks 2nd in ALL of North America (including the USA) in online gambling revenue through first three years:
- Michigan — $5.965 billion
- Ontario — $5.221 billion*
- Pennsylvania — $4.107 billion
- New Jersey — $1.546 billion
Additional research indicates the following gambling addiction statistics for Ontario:
- Mental Health Research Canada reports that 11% of adults in Ontario have a problematic relationship with gambling
- The monthly average of problem gambling helpline calls increased from over 131 to more than 184 after online gambling was legalized
Those searching for added insight on resident gambling behavior can reference the following statistics which apply to the gambling and sports betting population south of the Canadian border:
- 20% of sports bettors are in or have been in debt from sports betting ( source )
- Average gambling addict (male) debt is between $55,000 and $90,000 ( source )
- About 3% of problem gamblers in the USA are $300,000 in debt due to their addiction ( source )
- Nearly 15% of problem gamblers have committed a crime to support their addiction ( source )
- Divorce rate for habitual gamblers is 31% compared to 21% for those who rarely gamble ( source )
- Suicide rate is 16 times higher for problem gamblers ( source )
Gamblers Help Online in Ontario
The Kindbridge platform helps Ontario residents quit gambling through more accessible, convenient, confidential, and powerful treatment services. Our counselors are accessible, whether you’re in Barrie, Brampton, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa, Niagara Falls or anywhere else within the Heartland Province.
In addition to problem gambling, Kindbridge counselors specialize in treating mental and behavioral health issues that you may live with, such as anxiety and depression which impact up to 51% and 48% of Ontario residents, respectively.
Couples + Family Counseling for Problem Gambling
An inability (so far) to quit sports betting and casino gaming also has an impact on loved ones. In addition to problem gambling treatment for individuals in Ontario, Kindbridge provides couples and family counseling.
Cost for Gambling Treatment in Ontario
Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers flexible pricing for online and telehealth counseling in Ontario. Problem gambling treatment rates and subscriptions can be found here.
