Online Behavioral Health Services in Ontario (Canada)

Problem Gambling in Ontario

Prior to the 2021 legalization of sports betting in Canada, the Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO) reported that an estimated 1.2 percent of adults in the province exhibited a moderate to high risk of developing gambling disorder. This works out to over 143,000 residents. Of course, this number is expectedly to be significantly higher since the inception of regulated sports betting and the heavy promotion of it. More recent findings state that problem gamblers now make up 2% of the population for a total of about 310,000 residents.

Key gambling statistics in Canada for the most recent year indicate the following:

• At least 60% of Canadians have spent money on gambling.
• 63% of men and 57% of women report they spend some money on gambling every month.
• There are over 19.3 million active online gamblers in Canada.
• 43% of women and 56% of men say they have gambled online.
• Canada’s online gambling revenue is an estimated $3.1 billion.
• 73% of Canadians said problems associated with gambling have increased in their province.
• 83% of Canadians believe it is up to the individual to control their gambling habits.
• 2% of Canadians aged 15 or older have a gambling problem.

As the most populated province in Canada, Ontario is responsible for the bulk of the data. In the last reported annum, Ontario reported gambling revenues of $1.4 billion. From a per capita perspective this puts Ontario in a neck and neck race with their neighbor to the south (New York). The state of New York closed out the year (2023) with an estimated $2 billion in gambling revenue, but has about 5 million more residents than Ontario. It seems that the Canadian province has an equal thirst for the activity, if not more so.

Co-occurring Mental Health Concerns in Ontario

Of even greater concern, is the fact that a recent report showed that about 30% of Ontario residents with a gambling problem have a co-occurring mental health issue, while over than 3% have a co-occurring substance abuse problem.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) reports that while mental illness accounts for about 10% of the burden of disease in Ontario, it receives just 7% of health care investment. Consequently, services are not sufficient to meet the need nor demand from Ontario residents who require support services for gambling disorder and co-occurring mental problems. This disparity is expected to get worse with the annual increases in gambling activity.

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Problem Gambling Support and Helpline for Ontario Residents

Existing resources in Ontario cannot keep up, which is why Kindbridge Behavioral Health has been called upon to fill the void. As America’s premiere resource of online gambling disorder support services, Kindbridge is bridging the gap between the two great nations to assist in treatment and recovery. Our team of counsellors and therapists have expertise in the treatment of gambling disorder and co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and depression. Click the button below to initiate your recovery.

CALL +1 (877) 426-4258

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Email [email protected]