Number of Ontarians Choosing Regulated iGaming Sites Surges Over 91%
Posted on: May 21, 2026, 04:21h.
Last updated on: May 21, 2026, 04:22h.
- Ipsos releases Ontario market channelization study commissioned by AGCO and iGaming Ontario
- 91.1 per cent of Ontario players are on regulated igaming platforms, up 7.4 per cent from last year
- Currently 44 licensed igaming sites in Ontario
A new Ipsos channelization study released this morning shows that 91.1 per cent of Ontarians are playing on regulated sites, a 7.4 per cent increase compared to last year.
8.9 Per Cent on Unregulated Sites
This increase in Ontarians choosing regulated igaming sites proves that we’ve taken the right approach to responsibly expanding the online gaming market,” said Stan Cho Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “By prioritizing player protections and embedding responsible gaming tools into the market, our government is committed to providing a safer experience for players across the province.”
According to the Ipsos study, commissioned by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario, only 8.9 per cent of respondents reported gambling only on unregulated sites, a notable drop from 16.3 per cent last year.
Gaming Summit
Prior to the launch of Ontario’s competitive igaming market in April 2022, the Ontario government estimated that 70 per cent of online gaming was taking place on unregulated websites.
Cho opened Day 2 of SBC Summit Canada, the gaming conference in Toronto, this morning with comments on the Ipsos study.
As Cho, and other industry leaders, have said repeatedly, the regulated Ontario market is built on clear, enforceable standards that require operators in include strong consumer protections, such as game integrity and responsible gaming safeguards.
Addressing the Residual Illegal Market
Just last week, iGaming Ontario went live with a new central igaming self-exclusion platform called BetGuard.
As opposed to going to individual sites and opting to be self-excluded, players can now go to one platform where they can voluntarily check out of igaming across all regulated sites for a set period.
“It’s encouraging to see more and more Ontarians choosing regulated sites when they gamble online,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO. “This continued shift reflects the strength of Ontario’s model and its focus on protecting players. The AGCO remains committed to addressing the residual illegal market and ensuring regulated operators meet Ontario’s strong regulatory standards.”
44 Licensed Operators
According to the iGaming Ontario website, the Ontario igaming market currently has 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming websites.
These results are clear—Ontario is an international leader in upholding a safe, competitive, and regulated online gaming market,” said Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario. “Only four years ago, our government took action to bring online gaming into a modern, regulated framework that protects players, supports greater choice for consumers, and tackles the illegal market.
“To date, we’re proud to see Ontario’s world-class online gaming model continue to support jobs, innovation, and economic activity across the province.”
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