Study finds uptick in online gambling among young people in Ontario

• 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

Newly released research uncovered a concerning increase in online gambling participation among young people in Ontario, Canada.

That’s the case for the 2025 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) released by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Young people’s mental health improves, but new challenges emerge

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.

OSDUHS concluded that middle and high school students across the province have "rebounded from the heightened mental health challenges seen during and immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic," as explained in a press release.

However, a concerning trend is observed with recorded increases in nicotine pouch use, increased video game play, online gambling, and social media use.

The research found a tenfold increase in online betting participation

Focusing on online gambling, the survey recorded a significant increase in participation among young people in Ontario.

Per the report, 12% of the students admitted to engaging in online gambling activities in the last year.

The aforementioned figure suggests an increase when compared to the 8% of students who admitted to participating in online gambling in the same survey conducted in 2023.

Just as concerning, a significant increase is observed in online sports betting participation among young people.

CAMH’s study in 2019 recorded 1% participation of students in online sports betting, but the newest report recorded a tenfold increase to 10% in 2025.

"Nearly one-quarter of students (23%) also reported being exposed to advertisement for online gambling every day," the research reads.

CAMH says extra measures need to be taken to protect children from gambling

The findings of the new report come at a time when 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.

The Center has also encouraged limits on endorsements by athletes and celebrities and banning gambling ads during sports broadcasts, a measure known as a whistle-to-whistle ban.

Dr. Peter Selby, Principal Investigator of CAMH’s INTREPID Lab, Senior Scientist and Senior Medical Consultant at CAMH, acknowledged that the rapid rise in online gambling popularity among young people is concerning.

"The results raise important questions about how young people are able to access gambling products despite age restrictions, and about the influence that widespread gambling advertising and its normalization have on attitudes and behaviors," he added.

Finally, Dr. Selby once again pointed to the importance of reducing the exposure of children to gambling-related ads as a way to better protect them in the long term.

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