# Online Gambling Surge Challenges Montreal Public Health While overall gambling participation declines, online betting platforms see a sharp increase in usage. - **Source:** [Le Devoir](https://www.ledevoir.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1ff724d6-e99f-411e-9560-c9f2ec08cba0 ## Gambling Participation Declines A new report from Montreal Public Health reveals a significant drop in overall gambling participation among adults. In 2025, only 39% of residents engaged in gambling activities, a sharp decrease from the 54.5% recorded in 2018. Despite this general downward trend, the landscape of betting habits has undergone a major digital transformation. ## Online Gambling Triples While traditional gambling wanes, online participation has more than tripled over the last seven years. Data shows that 13.3% of adults now gamble online, compared to just 4.4% in 2018. This shift highlights a growing preference for digital platforms, which offer faster betting speeds and more frequent gratification mechanisms than physical venues. ## Unregulated Sites Dominate The online market is split between regulated and unregulated operators. Approximately 38% of online gamblers exclusively use sites not regulated by Loto-Québec, while 46% stick to authorized platforms. The remaining 16% utilize a mix of both. This prevalence of unregulated sites complicates efforts to monitor risks and enforce consumer protection standards effectively. ## Perception of Risk Public perception of online gambling is increasingly negative, with many residents viewing it as a high-risk activity comparable to tobacco use. Jean-François Biron, a coauthor of the report, notes that despite this awareness, vulnerable populations remain susceptible to the addictive nature of high-speed games that prioritize rapid financial transactions and immediate rewards. ## Vulnerable Demographic Profiles Young men aged 18 to 34 are identified as the most at-risk demographic for gambling-related harm. This group exhibits higher levels of impulsivity and a greater desire for intense sensations. Researchers suggest that these personality traits, combined with targeted advertising and normalized sports betting culture, make them particularly susceptible to gambling addiction. ## Impact on Quality Life Although the total number of people affected by gambling harms has decreased to 7.7% from 12.1% in 2018, the severity of the issue remains high. Currently, 4.6% of gamblers are classified as being at moderate or high risk. This indicates that while fewer people play, those who do face more intense problems. ## Advertising and Regulation Public sentiment strongly favors stricter controls, with 73% of respondents supporting a ban on online gambling advertisements. Furthermore, 70% believe these games are currently too accessible. Political parties have recently debated the regulation of illegal sites, highlighting a growing consensus that the current framework requires urgent and more comprehensive legislative reform. ## Call for Independent Oversight Experts recommend establishing an independent regulatory body separate from commercial entities like Loto-Québec. Such an organization would focus on evaluating game types, limiting advertising reach, and ensuring robust player protection. The goal is to move beyond short-term financial gains and prioritize long-term public health outcomes through evidence-based policy and stricter oversight. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ledevoir.com/actualites/sante/1022453/jeux-hasard-perdent-popularite-mais-jeu-ligne-progresse — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._