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Ontario Youth Doing Mentally Better Since 2020, But Gambling Increases

By jili tutorial · August 31, 2026

Ontario Youth Mental Health Improves, But Gambling Rates Rise Sharply

Ontario’s youth have experienced a notable improvement in mental well-being since the height of the pandemic, when psychological distress was a major concern. According to the 2025 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, 46% of students in grades 7 to 12 reported a “moderate to serious level” of psychological distress. This figure marks a decline from 51% in 2023. The survey also found reduced use of drugs and alcohol among students in 2025, reinforcing a broader pattern of recovery in youth mental health.

A Growing Concern: Gambling Among Students

However, positive trends in mental health and substance use are offset by a sharp rise in gambling. In 2025, one in ten students reported placing a bet, compared with just one in 100 in 2019. This tenfold increase signals a major expansion of gambling activity among young people.

Researchers at CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research point to a key factor behind this surge: the expansion of Ontario’s gambling market to include private operators. Co-director Hayley Hamilton explained that, despite legal safeguards in place for licensed operators, students continue to find ways to gamble—often on unregulated or unlicensed websites.

How Students Bypass Restrictions

The survey also revealed that online gambling participation grew from 8% in 2023 to 12% in 2025. Peter Selby, Principal Investigator of CAMH’s INTREPID Lab, expressed concern over students’ ability to circumvent restrictions. He noted that many access websites that are not locally licensed. Selby also highlighted the role of influencer culture in promoting gambling content to young audiences, which may be driving students toward betting platforms.

Targeted Efforts to Address Youth Gambling

In response, Ontario’s government and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) have launched a new safer gaming campaign focused on young men aged 19 to 24. This demographic is considered the most at risk of developing long-term, life-altering consequences from gambling. The campaign aims to raise awareness about problem gambling and connect individuals to support resources.