Ottawa Now - New study displays sharp spike in gambling-related helpline calls

A new study is displaying a sharp rise in young men who have contacted Ontario’s Mental Help Line for gambling-related problems. After private online gambling received the green light from the Ford government to set up shop, this stunning rate has skyrocketed by more than 300 percent. The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday, with the researchers behind it saying the data represents a need for stronger harm-reduction measures and more access to treatment. ConnexOntario Executive Director Nerin Kaur oversees the province’s 24-hour mental health, addiction, and problem gambling helpline. She joins Kristy Cameron on Ottawa Now.