A unit at a Windsor hospital dedicated to helping people with gambling and internet addiction issues has been renamed.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) announced on Tuesday morning that its trailblazing Centre for Problem Gambling and Digital Dependency will now be known as the Ontario Centre for Problem Gambling (OCPG).
HDGH President and CEO Bill Marra said that the name change reflects the centre's reputation throughout Ontario as a leader in helping those struggling with problem gambling.
"Over the years, our specialized team has established a province-wide reputation for excellence in treating problem gambling," said Marra in a media release. "Renaming our program to the Ontario Centre for Problem Gambling accurately reflects our role as a trusted provincial leader while strengthening clarity for patients, families, and referring healthcare partners."
The OCPG is Ontario's only funded residential treatment program dealing with gambling problems and digital dependency. It offers both bed-based and outpatient treatment options.
The name change does not affect the centre's current operations. The OCPG recently completed its 300th bed-based treatment cycle.
According to a study published in March by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), the province-wide mental health helpline received over 37,000 calls seeking gambling help between January 2012 and September 2025, with over 68 per cent of them coming from men.
Statistics Canada reported that in 2022, two-fifths of Canadians aged 15 to 24 reported spending at least 20 hours a week on social media sites and using the internet. At that time, about 17 per cent of Canadians spent at least 20 hours a week watching online content or streaming services.
For information on the OCPG, call (519) 254-2112. If you are in crisis, call the 24-hour helpline at 1(888) 230-3505.
