Thread

ER visits for gambling disorders doubled after expanded online gambling market

164 points · 157 comments · geox

geooff_ · 1789582155 · 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. dpkirchner · 1789583477 · focus · HN ↗
  That figure seemed way off to me (gut response) so I did a tiny bit of digging: Ontario claims income (primary household income) for 2024 was $791B. ~10% isn't as shocking as I expected.
  1. 542458 · 1789584100 · focus · HN ↗
    Really? That's an incredible number to me. 10% of all household spending goes to gambling?! 31,000 dollars per player *per year*? The mind boggles.
    pennomi · 1789584327 · focus · HN ↗
    By transaction volume yes. Presumably it’s not all spending though, if you regularly win back some of that money. The same dollar is probably wagered multiple times before it is lost.
    tonyarkles · 1789593214 · focus · HN ↗
    <a href="https://igamingontario.ca/en/news/igaming-ontario-posts-steady-growth-market-matures-year-3" rel="nofollow">https://igamingontario.ca/en/news/igaming-ontario-posts-stea...
    $3.2B revenue, 2.6M player accounts, ~$1230/yr ~= $100/month

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