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ER visits for gambling disorders doubled after expanded online gambling market

164 points · 157 comments · geox

  1. geooff_ · · focus · HN ↗
    > In 2024, Ontarians wagered $82.7 billion CAD on these sites through 2.6 million player accounts.

    Truly astounding numbers. Without a doubt, online gambling is the most preventable public health crisis of our generation. None of this had any business getting legalized.

    1. liquidise · · focus · HN ↗
      Important context that many of these dollars are counted multiple times.

      Ex: you bet 100 and win, bringing your holdings to 200. You bet another 100 and lose, back to 100. You’ve gambled $200 but have arrived at the same number you started with.

      I have friends who gamble in excess of 100k/yr total. In general their net is ± 3k. A lot to spend on a hobby, but the total is often misleading.

      1. geooff_ · · focus · HN ↗
        Good call out. I hadn't considered this. Would be interesting to see net.
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