Ontario Allegedly Hid Study Showing More Serious Problem Gambling
Ontario's iGaming agency allegedly withheld a study revealing higher-than-expected problem gambling rates.Summary
Internal documents obtained by the Toronto Star suggest that iGaming Ontario, the agency overseeing regulated online gambling, withheld a 2022 study that reportedly found problem gambling rates significantly higher than the province had anticipated. The study, commissioned to inform responsible gambling policies, was flagged as deviating from other research. iGaming Ontario defended its decision by questioning the study's methodology and citing potential harm to the province's economic interests. The Toronto Star is appealing to Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner to release the full study. The controversy arises as Ontario's online gambling market generates billions in wagers, with growing concerns about gambling-related harm, including insolvency, suicide, and emergency room visits. Without access to the full report, independent observers cannot verify the findings or assess their implications.
(Source：Gamblingnews)