As the SBC Summit Canada commences in Toronto this week, featuring leaders from the gaming and betting sectors, a recent study by the Angus Reid Institute highlights that many Canadians are apprehensive about an increase in problem gambling linked to sports betting.

Launch of the Gaming Summit

The SBC Summit Canada is drawing operators from around the globe engaged in the regulated Ontario market, including provincial crown corporations, First Nations casinos, land-based operators, affiliates, regulators, and suppliers, all closely monitoring the Canadian market landscape.

Seventy percent of respondents expressed concerns about the rise in problem gambling as sports betting gains popularity.

The Ontario regulated market currently hosts 44 licensed operators and 76 gaming websites, generating over $4 billion in revenue in 2025, with 20% going back to the provincial government’s budget.

Proportion of Canadians Engaging in Betting

According to the Angus Reid survey, 28% of those surveyed worry that someone close to them may have an addiction to sports betting, a figure that increases to 37% for young men aged 18-34. Among those expressing concern for someone in their life, 81% identify that individual as male.

Sixty-nine percent fear a rise in problem gamblers as sports betting grows. Anxiety surrounding addiction, financial losses, and the saturation of sports betting advertisements accompanies the industry’s expansion.

Thirteen percent of Canadians indicated they have placed a sports bet in the last year, with this figure rising to over one in five among men under 55.

Ontario’s Dominance in Sports Betting

Geographically, Ontario leads with a 15% participation rate, followed closely by B.C. and Alberta at 14% each. Atlantic Canada exhibits the lowest engagement at 8%. The study also finds that sports betting participation increases with household income, reaching 19% among individuals earning over $200,000 annually.

More than half of participants wager on sports for profit, while others cite the excitement it adds to the games. Sixty percent believe revenue generated from regulated sports betting will serve as a beneficial funding source for their province.

Overall, the survey suggests that a significant portion of Canadians view the increase in sports betting negatively (46%), compared to just 8% who see it positively. Thirty-one percent believe it’s neutral, describing it as neither good nor bad.

Responsible Betting Practices

Nearly half of individuals surveyed who participated in gambling over the past year reported using responsible betting tools available on regulated platforms (deposit limits were most common at 20%, followed by spending trackers at 16%).

An intriguing finding from the survey revealed that one in five parents with children aged 10 to 17 has been approached by their child with inquiries about sports betting (with half stating they were asked by a son, 24% by a daughter, and 17% by both).

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey between May 7-11, targeting a random sample of 1,803 adults from Canada.