Nearly 41 per cent of online gamblers met the criteria for problem gambling, compared with less than one per cent of lottery players, according to a report from Greo Evidence Insights, Mental Health Research Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Almost one in five reported high levels of financial, emotional or relationship harm. Among Canadians aged 18 to 29, about one-third said they gamble online, and nearly 70 per cent of that group met the threshold for problem gambling. (The Logic)

Talking point: The report, based on a survey of nearly 8,000 Canadians, links the rise in gambling-related harm to expanded access since single-event sports betting was legalized in 2021. A year later, Ontario launched a competitive online market, iGaming, accelerating online wagering and advertising. Lead author Matthew Young said the addictive nature of social media and gambling-like mechanics within video games may prime young people to become hooked on online gambling. The authors are calling for national standards for advertising and harm prevention.