Poll Says Many Canadians Worry About Sport Betting Becoming Problem Gambling
Posted on: May 20, 2026, 07:26h.
Last updated on: May 20, 2026, 07:26h.
- Angus Reid survey shines light on problem gambling concerns
- Industry summit in downtown Toronto brings together industry leaders
- Sports betting rises steadily with household income
As the SBC Summit Canada gets going in Toronto this week, bringing together industry gaming and betting leaders, a new Angus Reid Institute study says many Canadians are worried about sports betting turning into problem gambling.
Gaming Summit Starts
SBC Summit Canada attracts global operators active in the regulated Ontario market, provincial crown corporations, First Nations casinos, land-based operators, affiliates, regulators and suppliers, all with a vested interest in the Canadian market.
Seven in 10 people surveyed said they’re worried about an increase in problem gambling as sports betting spreads.
The Ontario regulated market currently includes 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming websites. The market generated over $4 billion in revenue in 2025, with 20% flowing back into provincial government coffers.
13% of Canadians Placed a Bet
According to the Angus Reid study, 28% of those people surveyed worry someone they know has an addiction to sports betting, rising to 37% among young men (18-34). Among those who say they’re worried about someone in their life, 81 per cent say that person is male.
Sixty-nine per cent worried the number of problem gamblers will rise as sports betting continues to spread. Concerns about addiction, financial loss, and the volume of sports betting advertising now accompany the growth of the industry.
Thirteen per cent of Canadians surveyed placed a sports bet in the past year – exceeding one-in-five among men under 55.
Ontario Leads the Way
Regionally, Ontario leads at 15%, followed by B.C. and Alberta (both 14%). Atlantic Canada records the lowest participation at 8%. Sports betting also rises steadily with household income, according to the study, reaching 19% among those earning over $200,000 annually.
More than half say they participate in sports betting to make money, while others say they bet because it makes the games more exciting. Three-in-five say the revenue from regulated sports betting will be a valuable revenue source for their province.
Overall, according to the survey, Canadians say increased sports betting in the country is a bad thing (46%) at a much higher level than say it’s a good thing (8%). Three-in-10 (31%) says it is what it is, neither good nor bad.
Half Using Responsible Betting Tools
Close to half of the people asked who gambled within the last year said they utilized responsible betting tools on regulated sites (most common are deposit limits, at 20%, and spending trackers, at 16%).
Another interesting fact that came out of the survey – One-in-five parents with a child aged 10 to 17 said their child has already asked them about sports betting (half of these said they were asked by a son, 24% by a daughter, 17% by both).
The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from May 7-11, among a random sample of 1,803 Canadian adults.
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