Mental health advocates urge responsible betting ahead of Super Bowl and Olympics

Feb 17, 2026

(Toronto, Feb. 5, 2026) – As excitement builds around the upcoming Super Bowl and the Olympic Games, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is urging individuals to be mindful of the mental health risks associated with sports gambling.
“These big sporting events are all about bringing fans together to celebrate,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO, CMHA Ontario. “But with the constant advertising for online betting platforms during these televised events, we are concerned about the growing normalization of gambling, especially among young adults and first-time bettors.”
Research shows that viewers in Ontario are exposed to close to three gambling references every minute while they watch live sports broadcasts. An IPSOS report indicated that nearly 44 per cent of Ontario residents gambled online last year.
While many people engage in sports betting without incident, it can contribute to gambling-related harms that can affect finances, emotions, relationships and mental health. Individuals at high risk of problem gambling are more likely to face severe mental health issues and exhibit higher rates of possible alcohol (40 per cent) and cannabis (47 per cent) dependency compared to non-gamblers. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction found that nearly 24 per cent of young adults who gambled online last year reported experiencing a high level of gambling-related harms, including reduced savings, increased credit card debt, and compromised well-being due to feelings of regret and self-perceived failure.
CMHA Ontario encourages individuals who choose to gamble to be aware of warning signs such as chasing losses, hiding gambling behaviour or feeling irritable when not betting.
“If gambling is no longer fun or if it’s causing stress and financial strain, that’s a sign to pause and reach out,” Quenneville added. “Recovery is possible.”
For more information about problem gambling, mental health support and resources, visit ontario.cmha.ca or call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.
Fast facts:

Compared to people who played lottery only, people who reported gambling online in the past year were 45 times more likely to meet the criteria for problem gambling.
Gambling-related bankruptcies have quadrupled in Ontario since iGaming’s introduction.
Among Ontarians who have gambled or wagered real money bets online in the past three months, 56 per cent have a household income of less than $75,000.