Last Updated: April 2026
Problem Gambling Statistics 2026: Prevalence Rates, Costs & Ontario Data
⚠️ If you or someone you know needs help with gambling:
📞
ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 — Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
💬 Text HOME to
686868
🌐
CAMH Problem Gambling: camh.ca
🔒
Self-exclusion: Available through every AGCO-licensed operator in Ontario — effective immediately, province-wide
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Responsible Gambling Council (RGC): responsiblegambling.org
Problem gambling is a recognized public health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities regardless of the regulatory environment. This page compiles peer-reviewed prevalence estimates, economic cost data, demographic risk profiles, and treatment access statistics drawn from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), ConnexOntario, Statistics Canada, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). These figures are intended to inform researchers, policy makers, health professionals, journalists, and members of the public about the scope and impact of gambling harm in Ontario and Canada. No figure on this page is presented to normalize or minimize gambling risk.
Prevalence Rates — Ontario
Ontario's problem gambling prevalence is measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), a validated clinical tool. A score of 8 or higher indicates severe problem gambling; a score of 3–7 indicates moderate problem gambling.
3.7%
Prevalence of moderate-to-severe problem gambling (PGSI 3+) among Ontario adults who gamble
— CAMH, Ontario Drug Use and Health Survey, 2023
1.4%
Prevalence of severe problem gambling (PGSI 8+) among Ontario gambling adults
— CAMH, Ontario Drug Use and Health Survey, 2023
~270,000
Estimated Ontario adults experiencing problematic gambling behaviour (moderate-to-severe)
— CAMH and ConnexOntario, Problem Gambling Prevalence Estimates, 2024
~9%
Ontario adults classified as "at-risk" (PGSI 1–2) — elevated risk of developing problem gambling
— CAMH, Ontario Drug Use and Health Survey, 2023
76%
Share of Ontario adults who participated in some form of gambling in the past year
— Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey — Gambling Module, 2023
1 in 5
Problem gamblers in Ontario who seek formal treatment, support services, or professional help
— CAMH, Gambling Research and Treatment, 2024
National Prevalence — Canada
Canada-wide problem gambling estimates vary by province and survey methodology, but national figures consistently show that a small but meaningful proportion of the adult population experiences gambling-related harm.
2.0%
National prevalence of problem gambling (PGSI 3+) among Canadian adults who gamble
— Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2023
~500,000
Estimated number of Canadian adults experiencing moderate-to-severe problem gambling
— Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), National Problem Gambling Estimates, 2024
7%
Canadian adults classified as "at-risk" gamblers (PGSI 1–2)
— Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2023
Ontario > National avg
Ontario's 3.7% moderate-to-severe prevalence exceeds the 2.0% national average — partly attributable to higher gambling participation rates and the density of gaming options
— CAMH and Statistics Canada, Comparative Gambling Prevalence Data, 2023
Social & Economic Costs
Problem gambling generates substantial economic costs that extend well beyond individual losses — including healthcare utilization, lost productivity, bankruptcy, family breakdown, and criminal justice involvement.
$2.1B
Estimated annual social cost of problem gambling in Ontario (healthcare, lost productivity, criminal justice, social services)
— CAMH, Economic Cost of Problem Gambling in Ontario, 2023
$13.75B
Estimated annual social cost of problem gambling across Canada
— Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Economic Burden of Problem Gambling, 2024
$7,800
Estimated average annual economic cost per problem gambler (healthcare + lost productivity)
— CAMH, Economic Cost of Problem Gambling in Ontario, 2023
3×
Problem gamblers are approximately 3 times more likely to experience a co-occurring mental health disorder (depression, anxiety) than the general population
— CAMH, Gambling and Mental Health Co-occurrence Study, 2023
~40%
Problem gamblers who report experiencing financial crisis (debt, bankruptcy, asset loss) directly attributable to gambling
— Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Problem Gambler Experience Survey, 2024
~20%
Problem gamblers who report having committed an illegal act (theft, fraud, embezzlement) to fund gambling activity
— CAMH, Gambling Research and Treatment, 2024
Demographics & Risk Factors
Problem gambling does not affect all groups equally. Research consistently identifies demographic and situational risk factors that inform prevention and early-intervention targeting.
Men (2:1)
Men are approximately twice as likely as women to develop problem gambling, though the gender gap is narrowing with online gambling growth
— Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey — Gambling Module, 2023
18–34
Age group with the highest prevalence of problem gambling among Canadian adults
— Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2023
2.5×
Problem gambling prevalence is approximately 2.5 times higher among adults with household income below $30,000 vs. above $100,000
— CAMH, Ontario Drug Use and Health Survey, 2023
3–4×
Individuals with a first-degree relative who has a gambling problem are 3–4 times more likely to develop one themselves — hereditary and environmental factors both contribute
— CAMH, Gambling and Genetic Risk Factors, 2022
Sports betting
Sports betting and online casino products are associated with the highest rates of problem gambling among product types — higher than lottery or bingo
— Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Product Risk Profile Analysis, 2024
~60%
Problem gamblers who report gambling as a strategy to cope with stress, depression, anxiety, or other negative emotions ("escape gambling")
— CAMH, Gambling Research and Treatment, 2024
Treatment Access & Barriers
Treatment works. Evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) shows remission rates of 60–80% in clinical settings. ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) can connect you to the right service at no cost.
1 in 5
Problem gamblers who access formal treatment or professional support
— CAMH, Gambling Research and Treatment, 2024
60–80%
Remission rates for problem gambling with evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
— CAMH, Problem Gambling Treatment Outcomes, 2023
Free
Problem gambling treatment in Ontario is publicly funded — OHIP-covered and available at no cost through CAMH and regional addiction services
— CAMH, Gambling Treatment Services, 2024
~7 years
Average time between when a problem gambler recognizes their issue and when they first seek professional help
— Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Help-Seeking Behaviour Report, 2024
Shame + denial
Most commonly cited barriers to seeking help: stigma, shame, denial that the problem is serious, and lack of awareness of available services
— CAMH, Gambling Research and Treatment, 2024
Online Gambling & Problem Gambling
Research consistently shows that online gambling products — particularly online casino slots and live sports betting — are associated with higher rates of problem gambling compared to terrestrial venues, due to product accessibility, speed of play, and immersive design features.
~2×
Problem gambling prevalence among regular online gamblers is approximately twice that of terrestrial-only gamblers
— H2 Gambling Capital, Online Problem Gambling Risk Profile, 2024
24/7
Continuous accessibility of online platforms removes natural stopping points — a key risk amplifier identified by CAMH researchers
— CAMH, Online Gambling and Harm Risk Factors, 2023
34,000+
Voluntary self-exclusions registered across iGO operators since market launch (April 2022–March 2025)
— iGaming Ontario, Responsible Gambling Annual Data, 2025
Mobile risk
Smartphone-based betting — which accounts for ~78% of Ontario wagers — increases gambling frequency and impulsive session initiation compared to desktop betting
— Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), Mobile Gambling Risk Report, 2024
All AGCO-registered operators in Ontario are legally required to implement a suite of responsible gambling tools. These are not optional features — they are enforceable conditions of the AGCO's Standards for Internet Gaming.
Deposit limits
All operators must allow players to set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits — and must enforce a mandatory 7-day waiting period before limits can be increased
— Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Standards for Internet Gaming, 2022
Self-exclusion
Province-wide self-exclusion applies across all iGO operators simultaneously — 30 days to permanent, with re-entry cooldown requirements
— iGaming Ontario, Self-Exclusion Program Overview, 2024
Reality checks
Operators must offer session time alerts so players can monitor how long and how much they've played in a single session
— Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Standards for Internet Gaming, 2022
$3M+
Estimated annual iGO contribution to responsible gambling research, programming, and public education via the Responsible Gambling Council
— iGaming Ontario, Responsible Gambling Annual Data, 2025
ConnexOntario
Free 24/7 helpline required to be displayed on every iGO operator's platform — call 1-866-531-2600 or text HOME to 686868 for immediate connection to services
— Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Standards for Internet Gaming, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is problem gambling in Ontario?
Approximately 3.7% of Ontario adults who gamble experience moderate-to-severe problem gambling, translating to an estimated 270,000 people. An additional 9% are classified as "at-risk" (PGSI 1–2), indicating elevated risk. Ontario's prevalence is higher than the national average of 2.0%, partly reflecting the density and variety of gambling options in the province.
What is the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)?
The PGSI is a validated nine-item clinical screening tool used to measure gambling-related harm. Scores range from 0 to 27: 0 = non-problem; 1–2 = low-risk; 3–7 = moderate problem gambling; 8+ = severe problem gambling. It is the standard tool used by CAMH, Statistics Canada, and health researchers in Ontario and across Canada.
What is the social cost of problem gambling in Ontario?
CAMH estimates the annual social cost of problem gambling in Ontario at approximately $2.1 billion, encompassing healthcare utilization, lost productivity, criminal justice costs, and social service demands. This figure does not include the direct financial losses experienced by individuals and families.
Is problem gambling treatment available for free in Ontario?
Yes. Problem gambling treatment in Ontario is publicly funded and available at no cost through CAMH and regional addiction services. Evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) show remission rates of 60–80%. To access services, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 for a free, confidential referral any time of day or night.
Does online gambling make problem gambling worse?
Research indicates that regular online gamblers have approximately twice the problem gambling prevalence of terrestrial-only gamblers. Risk factors specific to online gambling include 24/7 accessibility, high-speed play, immersive design, and mobile delivery. Ontario's AGCO Standards for Internet Gaming mandate deposit limits, self-exclusion, and reality checks on all registered platforms to mitigate these risks.
Cite This Page:
OntarioBetGuide.ca. (2026, April). Problem Gambling Statistics 2026: Prevalence Rates, Costs & Ontario Data. Retrieved from https://ontariobetguide.ca/stats/problem-gambling-statistics-2026.html