More than nine in ten Ontarians who gamble online now report using regulated sites, according to an Ipsos study commissioned by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario and released on 21 May 2026. The study found 91.1 per cent of respondents who had gambled online in the previous three months had wagered on a regulated website, up 7.4 percentage points from 83.7 per cent a year earlier.
The share who reported gambling only on unregulated sites fell to 8.9 per cent from 16.3 per cent. Ipsos surveyed 2,012 Ontarians aged 19 and older between 30 March and 20 April 2026, and the margin of error for the general population sample is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
| Ipsos study | Wagered on a regulated site | Wagered only on unregulated sites |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 85.3% | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 86.4% | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 83.7% | 16.3% |
| 2026 | 91.1% | 8.9% |
Source: AGCO news release, 21 May 2026. Respondents who gambled online in Ontario in the previous three months.
A target reached early
Before the competitive market opened in April 2022, the Ontario government estimated that 70 per cent of online gambling in the province took place on unregulated sites, the AGCO said. Channelization, the share of players using the regulated market, is the first key performance indicator in iGaming Ontario’s 2026–2029 business plan, which set a target of 90 per cent by the 2026–27 fiscal year and said the rate needed to reach 85 per cent for 2025–26. The plan described the dip to 83.7 per cent in the previous study as within the sample’s margin of error.
“The AGCO remains committed to addressing the residual illegal market and ensuring regulated operators meet Ontario’s strong regulatory standards,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, the AGCO’s chief executive officer and registrar. The AGCO said it uses the Ipsos findings in its work against illegal gaming in the province.
The release also gave the market’s size in its fourth year. From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, operators under agreements with iGaming Ontario generated more than $4.2 billion in gaming revenue from over $103 billion in wagers, in unaudited figures that exclude OLG’s online offering and pari-mutuel horse racing.
What the figure measures
The 91.1 per cent is a share of players, not of money. It does not show what proportion of wagers or revenue goes through regulated sites. It also counts anyone who used at least one regulated site, so some of those players may also gamble on unregulated sites; the release reports only the 8.9 per cent who used unregulated sites exclusively. Because the survey is self-reported, it also depends on respondents knowing which sites are regulated.
What it means for players in Ontario
Regulated sites must meet the AGCO’s standards on game integrity, responsible gambling and advertising. The AGCO says unregulated sites do not guarantee player protections or information security. Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion program, BetGuard, launched on 14 May 2026, applies only to the regulated market, as does the AGCO’s complaints process.
A familiar brand name, Canadian-dollar banking or an Interac logo does not prove a site is regulated in Ontario. Check the exact site in iGaming Ontario’s directory, or use the Ontario casino checker and the guide on how to check if a casino is regulated. How the AGCO and iGaming Ontario divide the work is explained in AGCO vs iGaming Ontario.
Sources
- AGCO — Ipsos study: 91% choosing regulated sites (21 May 2026) Official source · 91.1% and 8.9% results, 2023–2026 table, fieldwork 30 March–20 April 2026, 2,012 respondents, ±2.2-point margin of error, 70% pre-launch estimate, Karin Schnarr quote.
- iGaming Ontario — Over 90% of Ontario igaming players choosing regulated market (21 May 2026) Official source · 91.1% up 7.4 points from 83.7%; more than $4.2 billion in revenue from over $103 billion in wagers in the year to 31 March 2026 (unaudited).
- iGaming Ontario — 2026–2029 Business Plan Official source · Channelization as KPI 1; 90% target by 2026–27; 85% needed for 2025–26; prior rates 85.3%, 86.4% and 83.7%.
- iGaming Ontario — Monthly Market Performance Data Tables, August 2026 (workbook) Official source · Cross-check of fiscal 2025–26 totals: $103.3 billion in cash wagers and $4.27 billion in revenue, April 2025 to March 2026.
- iGaming Ontario — Regulated iGaming Market Official source · Official directory of regulated gaming websites.
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