Ipsos Survey Highlights Online Gambling Habits of Ontario Residents
A new Ipsos survey (February, 2024) has revealed that 35.2% of Ontario residents have engaged in online gambling over the past year, highlighting a significant portion of the population participating in digital gaming. The survey, which sampled 1,009 Ontarians, offers a detailed look into the province’s gambling habits.
Among those who have gambled online, 29.5% reported participating of Canadian sportsbooks in the past three months, while 20.3% had gambled within the past month. These findings indicate that a notable segment of Ontarians are regularly engaging with online gambling platforms.
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Who is Gambling Online in Ontario?
| Ontarians Players Category | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Ontarians who have gambled online (past year) | 35.2% |
| Percentage of Ontarians who have gambled online (past three months) | 29.5% |
| Percentage of Ontarians who have gambled online (past month) | 20.3% |
| Age 19-34 who gamble online | 38.7% |
| Age 35-54 who gamble online | 42.5% |
| Age 55+ who gamble online | 18.8% |
| Gender (Male) | 64.5% |
| Gender (Female) | 35.5% |
| Education (High School or Less) | 31.9% |
| Education (Some University) | 30% |
| Education (University Degree or Higher) | 38.1% |
| Household Income < $75k | 52.5% |
| Household Income >= $75k | 47.5% |
| Percentage using only regulated sites | 86.4% |
| Percentage using both regulated and unregulated sites | 19.9% |
| Percentage using only unregulated sites | 13.6% |
The data showed that 38.7% of individuals aged 19-34 and 42.5% of those aged 35-54 are the most active participants in online gambling sites. The trend also spans various age groups, with a significant portion of Ontarians choosing digital gambling as a form of entertainment.
The majority of online gamblers are male, comprising 64.5% of the group, while 35.5% are female. Additionally, 38.1% of respondents who gamble online hold a university degree or higher, and 31.9% have completed only high school.
Regarding household income, 52.5% of online gamblers earn less than $75,000 annually, while 47.5% make $75,000 or more. This broad distribution across income levels shows that online gambling appeals to a wide range of Ontarians.
Use of Regulated vs. Unregulated Sites
The Ipsos survey also explored the type of sites Ontarians use for online gambling. It found that 86.4% of respondents reported gambling on Ontario online casinos sites in the past three months. However, 13.6% still gambled exclusively on unregulated platforms.
Among those using regulated sites, 19.9% had also wagered on a mix of regulated and unregulated websites, further illustrating the ongoing challenge of unregulated sites in the market.
