Nov 7, 2026
Placing a bet in Ontario now takes about as long as checking the score. That convenience comes with a measurable cost, as nearly 130,000 Ontarians show signs of problem gambling, which is roughly triple the estimate from 2018.
Most people who bet file it under entertainment, such as watching a game at a crowded pub, but the trouble is that betting losses rarely announce themselves. They can shift quietly to a credit card, a line of credit or the rent money, and prompt real financial hardship.
Advertisement
The federal government is currently weighing whether to rein in sports betting ads with the Bill S-211 (45-1), an Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising. However, that decision is still a long way from your budget, and the most effective protections are the ones you set yourself.
Thanks for subscribing!
The best of Money.ca delivered weekly.
By signing up, you accept Money.ca Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
How fast is problem gambling growing in Ontario?
The rise of problem gambling lines is directly correlated with the April 2022 opening of Ontario’s online market to private operators, according to Carrie Shaw, a researcher at the Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI). Shaw told CBC that Ontario’s rate began climbing within six months of the private market’s launch, even as it fell across the rest of Canada. She tied the increase to easy access and heavy advertising.
Other data points shows a similar correlation. CBC reports that, based on figures from the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, gambling-related suicides averaged five a year from 2016 to 2021 and then roughly tripled after 2022.
A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) found that gambling-related contacts to ConnexOntario, the province’s mental health and addictions helpline, was 13.4 per million people aged 15 and older before the government-run PlayOLG platform launched in January 2015, and 17.0 directly after it. However, that figure rose to 26.2 after the 2022 expansion. Nearly all of the increase came from boys and men aged 15 to 44.
Must Read
- A single line on your car insurance policy could be inflating your premium by up to 30% — here's what to change
- Here are 5 'must-haves' that Canadians constantly overpay for. How many of these are sabotaging your budget every single month?
- Here are the 5 biggest differences between rich and poor Canadians — which side do you fall on?
Join 20,000+ readers and get Money.ca’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Why can betting losses grow faster than you expect?
Ontarians wagered $9.71 billion on regulated online gambling sites in September 2026 alone, up 14% from a year earlier, according to iGaming Ontario, the provincial agency that manages the online market. Operators kept about $416 million of that sum across 1.41 million active accounts. That works out to about $295 per account for the month (one person may hold several accounts).
Most of that money isn’t going to sports bets, though. Online casino games make up 88% of betting activity in Ontario, according to Canadian Gaming Business, a trade publication.
Advertisement
How you fund your account matters is just as important. Ontario allows credit card deposits, but card issuers frequently treat gambling transactions as cash advances, The Globe and Mail reports. That means an upfront fee, a higher interest rate and no grace period — interest begins accumulating the day you deposit.
What would Bill S-211 change for Canadians?
Bill S-211 (45-1) wouldn’t ban betting ads entirely. Instead, it would require the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage to develop a national framework that could lead to limits on how many ads are run, where they appear and how they use celebrities and athletes.
Members of Parliament voted 291-28 on April 22, 2026, to send the bill to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. The committee heard witnesses on Oct. 29 and scheduled clause-by-clause review for Nov. 3, according to CBC News.
Supporters of the bill point to what fans see on the television screen. CBC and the University of Bristol tallied nearly 3,000 gambling logos and messages across seven 2026 NHL playoff games with Canadian teams, and 95% carried no warning about harm or age limits.
Ontario and Alberta, the only provinces with private online gambling markets, oppose the bill and argue that ad rules should be set provincially, not federally. The bill only applies to sports betting, not the online casino games that dominate spending.
You May Also Like
- This 7-step plan from Dave Ramsey is designed to help you ditch debt, save more and build wealth — here’s how it works
- Prioritize these 4 critical investments and watch your net worth skyrocket
- Here are 8 solid money moves that could free up real cash every month — here's where to start
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
The most expensive financial mistakes are often the ones you don't see coming. Join 19,000+ Canadians who get the money moves, risks and opportunities shaping their finances — delivered free each week. Subscribe now.
Writer and editor based in Toronto with experience in personal finance, insurance, arts and culture and branded content.
