Online Gambling Surges Among Ontario Youth, Report Finds

The Center for Addiction and Mental Health released a new report focusing on the mental health of children and young people in Ontario, Canada. The study found that while mental health among students rebounded from the challenges during and after the pandemic, new concerning trends emerge.

A notable increase is observed in the percentage of young people engaging in online gambling, with a tenfold increase recorded in online betting participation. The new report collected data between December 2024 and June 2025, including self-reports of more than 11,100 students in grades 7-12 from 246 schools in 42 school boards across Ontario.

The research found a tenfold increase in online betting participation. The survey recorded a significant increase in participation among young people in Ontario, with 12% of the students admitting to engaging in online gambling activities in the last year. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has repeatedly called for additional measures for restricting online gambling ads and promotions with the goal of reducing the exposure of children and young people to such content.