You don’t have to be a fan to know that online gambling such as sports betting is big business – and a growing public health concern.
In Ontario, online gambling brought in $82.7-billion dollars in wagers and $3.2-billion in gross revenue in 2024-2025, a 32-per-cent increase over the previous year. Experts say it’s also leading to more problem gambling, particularly among young men.
A recent study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found Ontario’s addictions and mental-health helpline saw a surge in people seeking help for problem gambling after online gambling was legalized in the province – especially calls from boys and men aged 15 to 24, which increased by more than 300 per cent.
Meanwhile, a 2025 report by the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction found that among young adults aged 18 to 29 who gamble online, 69.4 per cent met the criteria for problem gambling. If you have a young person in your life who gambles, here are some things to know about how to spot the signs of problem gambling, when to seek help, and ways to minimize the risks.
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1. Know the signs to watch for
Andrew Kim, an associate professor of psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University who studies addictions and mental health, says it can be harder to detect problem gambling than a drug or alcohol addiction. But there are some behaviours to watch for.
“Preoccupation, irritability and researching odds, getting overly reactive while watching sports and withdrawing are all common signs,” he said. “The first harm is going to be financial, which may be hidden, but also there’s signs of anxiety and depression, irritability and, of course, asking for money.”
Someone with a gambling problem might say they’ll only place one bet, but end up making multiple wagers, oftentimes “chasing losses,” making new gambles in the hopes of winning back lost money, Kim explained.
Kim says young men who are sports fans, drink alcohol, have university degrees, and have disposable income and high levels of impulsivity are more prone to gambling on sports.
According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, there are many risk factors for developing a gambling problem, including having easy access and having a history of mental health problems.
David Hodgins, a psychology professor at the University of Calgary who studies gambling and substance-use addictions, says the reason why someone gambles also affects their risk of developing a problem. “Gambling to forget, escape or feel better has a corollary with developing issues,” said Hodgins. “Why are you gambling? If it’s to escape negative emotions, that’s a red flag.”
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2. Seek help early to minimize harms
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction says harms related to gambling can include financial loss, relationship conflicts, and physical and mental health issues.
Experts say early intervention, such as counselling or talk therapy, can help reduce long-term harm.
Intervention can also be self-directed, says Hodgins. “Motivational cognitive strategies like reminding yourself of negative consequences and putting distance between yourself and triggers are effective,” he said.
Family and friends can also play a role in offering support. Because “gambling is relatively hidden, it’s important to stay connected with anyone who might have a problem,” Hodgins added.
Others may find that support groups or 12-step recovery programs help. That was the case for Aldo Infuso, who says he was a problem gambler for 21 years before he admitted he had an issue and joined Gamblers Anonymous.
“Imagine I’m in a pool and the water’s between my lower and upper lip – that’s how close I was to drowning,” said Infuso. “I had a beautiful home, job, and three beautiful kids and they all got exposed to my addiction; it grips you. It’s an insidious, baffling disease.”
Infuso now runs a helpline and support groups for Gamblers Anonymous Toronto and says the age demographic of the men seeking help keeps getting younger. “The phone and sports are the culprits and we’re seeing a surge in the number of calls from young men,” he said.
The organization also runs a program for families and friends of problem gamblers. Infuso says parents must employ tough love. “I tell parents, ‘Don’t bail your kids out,’ that’s the first mistake,” he said, warning against providing cash or credit transfers to problem gamblers. “Check the credit cards. Check if he spends a lot of time alone. Get them at the beginning when the damage is minimal – don’t be like me and wait 21 years.”
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Put safeguards in place
For people who gamble, there are strategies that can help prevent the practice from getting out of control.
According to the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, people should not bet more than 1 per cent of their household income before tax per month; they should not gamble more than once a week; and they should not regularly gamble at more than two types of games (for example, sports betting and online poker).
Hodgins says that tools offered by gambling platforms and apps – such as limits on time spent playing or losses – can also help players reduce damage. “Minimization strategies are good for players and the industry, whose goal is to retain customers.”
Mark Griffiths, a psychologist and director of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University in England, agrees that setting affordable personal spending limits can help adults gamble responsibly. Opting into self-exclusion programs that allow people to take a break from gambling is another strategy for staying ahead of addictive tendencies, he says.
