Ontario’s boom in online gamble games highlights the need for safer play
Since Ontario opened the door to online betting with a regulated iGaming market in 2022, the floodgates have opened with a constant stream of ads, push notifications, app promos and sports-broadcast tie-ins. Everywhere you look, you’re being nudged to try your luck at gamble games, and that boom has come with a downside.
Health-care providers in Ontario report a sharp uptick in demand for help with problem gambling. The CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) in Windsor, Bill Marra, says the hospital’s outpatient programme for gambling issues has seen attendance double over the past five years—a trend he links directly to aggressive online betting marketing.
Marra warns that when you can barely watch a halftime show or scroll through social media without an gamble games ad popping up, it becomes that much harder for at-risk players to stay away.
Ad bans and senator pushback
Regulators have started reining in risky advertising. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated its rules so that athletes and celebrities who appeal to minors are off-limits in gambling ads unless they’re promoting responsible play. It’s a solid start, experts say, but more needs to be done to shield vulnerable players.
In November 2025, more than 40 Canadian senators, including Marty Deacon and Percy Downe, signed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for a nationwide ban on all sports-betting ads.
Scams, fraud and other risks in gamble games
As the online gambling market grows, so do its shady corners. Regulators are flagging a jump in fraud and identity-theft schemes. Phoney casino sites pose as legitimate ones, tricking people into handing over cash or personal info. Reports pegged a 10.9 per cent suspected digital-fraud attempt rate in Canada’s online gambling sector in the first half of 2025.
With these risks in mind, whether you’re new to gamble games or a seasoned player, it pays to know how to stay safe. Sure, it can be a rush, but being smart and vigilant matters. Set a budget, treat every session as entertainment, and don’t chase your losses. Keep an eye on the clock and take breaks when you need to. Think of it like a midway ride at the Ex: the roller-coasters are a scream, but you wouldn’t move in. Plan ahead, play responsibly, and enjoy the fun while staying in control.
