Ontario’s regulated internet gaming market shows continued movement toward licensed platforms as player behavior shifts further into the legal system. A study commissioned by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario reports that 91.1% of surveyed players now use legal sites, marking a 7.4% rise compared with the previous year.
The Ipsos channelization research also indicates that 8.9% of respondents play exclusively on unregulated platforms, down from 16.3% last year. Before the regulated market launched in April 2022, provincial estimates placed roughly 70% of online gambling activity on unregulated sites.
Decline in Unregulated Play Highlights Market Shift
The 2026 Ipsos study was conducted between March 30 and April 20 and surveyed 2,012 Ontarians aged 19 and older. Researchers reported a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The annual tracking exercise examines where residents choose to gamble online and helps assess the performance of the regulated system over time. Findings show continued movement toward licensed platforms and reinforce the broader trend identified in earlier Ipsos reports. Regulators use the results to guide enforcement efforts aimed at reducing activity in the unlicensed gaming space.
Regulatory Framework, Revenue Growth, and Industry Response
Government and regulatory leaders emphasized the role of Ontario’s framework in shaping the shift toward licensed play.
Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, said: “These results are clear—Ontario is an international leader in upholding a safe, competitive, and regulated online gaming market. 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.”
Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, said: “This increase in Ontarians choosing regulated igaming sites proves that we’ve taken the right approach to responsibly expanding the online gaming market.”
“By prioritizing player protections and embedding responsible gaming toolsinto the market, our government is committed to providing a safer experience for players across the province.”
iGaming Ontario reported more than $4.2bn in gaming revenue from over $103bn in wagering over four years, alongside an estimated $2.6bn contribution to the provincial economy.
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar at AGCO, said: “It’s encouraging to see more and more Ontarians choosing regulated sites when they gamble online. 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.”
BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion tool, has recently expanded available safeguards, allowing users to block access to licensed platforms, prevent new account creation, and stop marketing communications, with exclusion periods ranging from six months to five years or custom terms.
Source:
“Number of Ontarians choosing regulated over unregulated online gaming sites surges to 91%: Ipsos study”, agco.ca. May 21, 2026
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