Majority of Ontarian adults plan to bet on a major sporting event in 2025, RGC survey finds
A Responsible Gambling Council survey has found that 77 per cent plan to place a wager.
Canada.- The Responsible Gambling Council’s (RGC) Big Games sports betting survey has revealed that 89 per cent of Ontarians plan to watch at least one major sporting event this year and 77 per cent plan to place a bet.
The survey of 1,147 Ontario residents aged over 18 was completed online between November 22 and December 6, 2024. The Super Bowl (48 per cent) was the most popular event for betting, followed by the Stanley Cup playoffs (41 per cent), the FIFA Club World Cup (35 per cent), March Madness (23 per cent) and the Asia Cricket World Cup (17 per cent). While online sportsbooks (57 per cent) are the most common way to place sports bets, many Ontarians bet informally with friends (40 per cent) or purchase sports-based lottery tickets (35 per cent).
According to the study, two in five bettors (41 per cent) reported having wagered more than they could afford to lose in the past year, and 39 per cent say gambling has led to stress, anxiety, or concerns about problem gambling.
For those planning to wager on a big event like March Madness, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the MLB World Series or the Super Bowl, the decision to gamble was found to be driven primarily by the desire to win money (47 per cent) and to enhance game excitement (44 per cent). One in 10 (9 per cent) bet in an attempt to recover previous losses, a gambling motivation more common among younger and lower-income bettors.
Over a third said gambling had caused financial problems for them or their household. The trend was highest among younger male bettors and those betting on March Madness and Asia Cricket World Cup. The study indicates that over half will place bets while consuming substances. The majority plan to consume alcohol while betting (86 per cent).
