Survey: Two in Five Ontarians Wagering on Stanley Cup Playoffs
Posted on: May 27, 2025, 04:22h.
Last updated on: May 27, 2025, 05:51h.
- 41% of Ontarians viewing the Stanley Cup playoffs are wagering
- 52% say they will bet $100 or less
- 21% bet because they feel confident about their chances of winning
The Edmonton Oilers are seemingly in control of their Western Conference Final series against the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers look like they are about to punch out the Carolina Hurricanes in the East, in Stanley Cup playoff action to date.
Oilers Buzz Heating Up
The Oilers and Stars are back it tonight in Edmonton with the Oilers up in the best-of-seven series 2-1. The Hurricanes beat the Panthers last night 3-0 and that series is now 3-1 in favour of Florida.
According to Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation stats released today, betting on the Stanley Cup playoffs has been robust.
In Sunday night’s 6-1 Oilers win, 75% of PROLINE players backed the Oilers victory, 86% had Edmonton on the Puckline at -1.5 and 56% had the Over at 6.5. For tonight’s game, 68% of PROLINE players are currently backing the Oilers, 85% have Edmonton covering the Puckline at -1.5, 71% have the Over at 6.5.
According to BetMGM, the Panthers have seen the biggest line movement from Round 1 to now (+750 to +105), followed by the Oilers (+950 to +140) and the Stars (+850 to +700). The Toronto Maple Leafs generated the highest ticket percentage (11%) and the highest handle (12.1%).
OLG: 68% Backing Oilers To Win Tonight
Among Canadians, like last year when they made the Stanley Cup final (before losing to the Panthers), buzz around the Oilers across the country is ratcheting up.
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has released a survey of Ontarians that quantifies the interest for those watching but also for those who are placing a wager.
While three in five people in Ontario plan on watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, two in five viewers will place a wager on one or more of the playoff games (41%), according to the survey. RGC is looking for Ontarians to step back and take a measured approach to how they wager – not getting caught up in trying to predict the unexpected, while betting more than they can afford to lose.
27% Have Sold Something or Borrowed Money To Gamble
Two-fifths of Stanley Cup playoff bettors (39%) reported doing so in the past 12 months. Over a quarter have borrowed money or sold something to get money to gamble (27%). Almost two-fifths reported that their gambling caused them to experience mental health issues, including stress and anxiety (38%), and concern they may be experiencing problem gambling (38%).
Average bet is $182, with 47% betting via an online sportsbook, 29% with family or friends, 29% buying sport-based lottery tickets, 20% betting in a pool. Fifty-two per cent said they will bet $100 or less, 13% will bet between $101 and $250, 8% will bet between $251 and $500, and 9% plan to wager more than $500.
Forty-eight per cent said they bet to enhance the excitement of the game, while 47% bet to win money, 22% bet because they feel knowledgable about the teams or players, 21% bet because they feel confident about their chances of winning.
Over a quarter of bettors will avoid betting when feeling emotionally distressed (28%), while a fifth will refrain from betting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (22%).
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