Ontario study finds rise in gambling-related ER visits after online betting expansion
Ontario gambling disorder ER visits rise after online betting expands See who’s most affected and why stronger harm-reduction measures matter
A new study says emergency department visits linked to gambling disorders have risen in Ontario since online gambling expanded and singleevent sports betting became legal.
Researchers from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences analyzed records from January 2012 through September 2025 and found 952 gamblingrelated ER visits involving 757 people. The study says visits rose more than expected after the province opened its market to private online gambling operators.
The increase was strongest among males ages 10 to 29 and 30 to 44, while no significant change was found among females. The findings, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, add to earlier research suggesting more young men are seeking help for gamblingrelated problems and may support calls for stronger harmreduction measures and treatment access.