Ontario iGaming Milestone: Over 90% of Players Now Choosing Regulated Sites
Posted on: May 21, 2026, 04:21h.
Last updated on: May 27, 2026, 03:25h.
- Ipsos releases Ontario market channelization study commissioned by AGCO and iGaming Ontario
- 91.1% of Ontario players are on regulated igaming platforms, up 7.4% from last year
- Currently 44 licensed igaming sites in Ontario
Ontario’s regulated iGaming market has hit a massive new milestone, with a fresh Ipsos study revealing that 91.1% of local players now stick to legal sites—a sharp 7.4% jump over last year.
Unregulated iGaming Site Usage Drops
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.
Prior to the launch of Ontario’s competitive igaming market in April 2022, the Ontario government estimated that 70% of online gaming was taking place on unregulated websites.
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,” Cho added.
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 Illegal Market
Just last week, iGaming Ontario went live with a new central igaming self-exclusion platform: BetGuard. This platform allows players to voluntarily self-exclude from all licensed iGaming sites across the province for a set period by using just one interface, rather than going to individual iGaming sites.
“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,” Schnarr added.
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,” Downey added.
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