Ontario’s betting outlets are nearly impossible to quit

Plus, the tragic death of an NHL star, what a Harris win would mean for our economy and a fall TV preview [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. With ’90s week over, it’s your turn to tell us the worst songs from the decade. Competition is fierce. [After all, the era brought us the music of Barney the Dinosaur](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Susan Kao/Toronto Star illustration Addiction [Ontario’s online betting platforms have made it nearly impossible to quit]( When Ontario launched regulated virtual casinos and sports betting, operators were entrusted with providing anti-addiction measures, Brendan Kennedy and Morgan Sevareid-Bocknek report. However, problem gamblers still can’t block themselves from all 82 online betting platforms at once. [For them, ease of access and tempting advertisements are a recipe for financial ruin](. Courtesy of Amanda Chalmers Drug crisis [Kids are slipping through holes in our drug-crisis response. It’s killing them]( Ula Chalmers was an artist and advocate — a “nerd” who played hockey. In the early hours of a December morning last year, the 16-year-old died from a suspected fentanyl overdose. “This is not a kid that you would ever have thought that this would happen to,” her mother tells Jim Rankin. “This could be your kid.” [We can all learn from this cautionary tale](. Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press file photo SPORTS [A young NHL star’s death has rocked the sports world]( Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver while cycling in New Jersey on Thursday. “Johnny Hockey” was a seven-time all-star in his 11 seasons, the majority spent with the Calgary Flames, Gilbert Ngabo writes. [Family and friends are utterly devastated by the senseless tragedy](. Robin Buckson/The Detroit News Business [What “President Harris” would mean for Canada’s economy]( With the U.S. being Canada’s largest trading partner, policymakers are wondering how the result of the U.S. presidential election might impact trade relations. While Donald Trump has vowed to impose a 10 per cent tariff on all imports, Harris is less keen to launch a trade war, David Olive writes. [Many of her economic policies seem to have been shipped in straight from Canada](. Steve Russell/Toronto Star Things to do [Seven ways to maximize the summer’s final long weekend]( As a wise philosopher once said, it ain’t over ’til it’s over. There are a few more off-the-beaten-path ideas to knock off your summer bucket list before the leaves start to change. [From eye-catching new architecture to serene cemeteries, these are some of the Star newsroom’s top recommendations](. Watch THIS Nicole Franco/Hulu The sun is setting fast on summer 2024 but we have the autumn TV slate to look forward to. From star-driven thrillers to superhero spin-offs, Debra Yeo breaks down [10 buzzy new series worth checking out in the months ahead](. Thanks for reading. Unlike Barney, we will never conclude our newsletter by forcing you to sing. You can reach the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_1343), and I will see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](