Survey Reveals Increase In Ontario Players Using Licensed Platforms

A new Ipsos survey commissioned by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO) shows that 91.1% of online gamblers in the province now choose licensed gambling platforms.

The figure represents an increase of 7.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. At the same time, the proportion of players using only unlicensed gambling sites fell by almost half from 16.3% in 2025 to 8.9%.

The survey was conducted between 30 March and 20 April 2026 and included 2,012 Ontario residents aged 19 and above.

The findings indicate increasing trust in Ontario’s regulated online gambling market, since its launch in April 2022. Before regulation, government estimates suggested that roughly 70% of online gambling activity in the province occurred through unlicensed operators.

Ontario Officials Point To Strong Regulatory Progress

Attorney General Doug Downey said Ontario “has become an international leader in building a safe, competitive and regulated online gambling market.” He added that regulation has improved player protection while also creating jobs, encouraging innovation and generating revenue for the province.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho also welcomed the findings. “We are prioritising the rollout of responsible gambling tools and ensuring players have the strongest possible protections,” he said.

AGCO Chief Executive Karin Schnarr pointed to the effectiveness of Ontario’s regulatory model and stressed that enforcement efforts would continue.

“We will continue to go after the remaining illegal market and hold all licensed operators to strict standards,” she said.

Enforcement And Player Protection Efforts Continue

The survey found that most people who gambled online during the previous three months used regulated gambling sites, while participation on unlicensed platforms reached its lowest recorded level since monitoring began.

Ontario authorities target illegal operators through enforcement measures and compliance monitoring. The AGCO also uses Ipsos survey data to identify unlicensed platforms operating within the province, while regulators have improved compliance in areas such as advertising, age verification, and responsible gambling measures.

Meanwhile, iGO recently introduced its Centralised Self-Exclusion system. The new BetGuard platform was developed over approximately one year in partnership with Integrity Compliance 360 and Dataworks. A public rollout is expected in the near future.

Regulators Focus On Sustaining Market Growth

Regulators acknowledge that totally eliminating the unlicensed market is not yet possible. Some players continue to use offshore sites because of larger bonuses, fewer restrictions and the absence of betting limits. However, survey data suggests reliance on these platforms declines as trust in regulated operators increases.

iGO President Joseph Hillier said the results demonstrate Ontario’s ability to balance consumer choice with player protection. “iGO is dedicated to its mission of creating a secure and sustainable environment for players and operators alike.”

Ontario plans to continue educating consumers about the benefits of licensed gambling platforms, particularly among younger adults and vulnerable groups. Authorities are also expected to maintain enforcement against illegal operators, including monitoring social media promotions and blocking sites.

Four years after launching its regulated market, Ontario has managed to build a competitive market, and reduce the influence of unlicensed operators.

The latest survey results suggest Ontario’s regulated market is pulling more players away from unlicensed operators. This indicates growing confidence in the province’s regulatory framework. However, the AGCO must tackle Ontario’s remaining offshore market through responsible gambling measures and consumer education.