New Ipsos research shows a sharp shift from unregulated online gambling sites to legal platforms in Ontario since the province opened its competitive iGaming market in 2022. The study, commissioned by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario, found that 91.1% of online gamblers now use regulated sites. Only 8.9% reported gambling only on unregulated sites.
Unregulated-only play falls sharply
The latest result shows strong improvement from last year. In 2025, 16.3% of respondents reported gambling only on unregulated sites, compared with 8.9% in the new study. Before Ontario launched its regulated iGaming market, the provincial government estimated that about 70% of online gambling took place on unregulated sites. The new Ipsos results show how far the market has moved since then.
Ontario’s regulated market launched in April 2022. It allowed private operators to offer online casino and sports betting through agreements with iGaming Ontario and registration with AGCO.
Regulated market keeps growing
Ontario has become one of North America’s largest regulated online gambling markets. Licensed operators include major casino, sportsbook and poker brands competing under provincial rules.
The market was designed to move existing online gambling activity into a legal framework. That framework includes standards for player protection, advertising, anti-money laundering controls, game integrity and responsible gambling tools.
The Ipsos findings support the province’s channelisation goal. More players using regulated sites means more activity takes place under rules that can be monitored and enforced.
Illegal sites still remain active
The shift does not mean unregulated gambling has disappeared. Some players still use offshore websites that operate outside Ontario’s regulated system.
Those sites may offer products or promotions that licensed operators cannot provide. They may also avoid provincial requirements on responsible gambling, data protection and dispute handling.
AGCO has continued to warn consumers to check whether a gambling site is regulated in Ontario. The regulator maintains a public list of approved operators and gaming sites.
Survey tracks post-launch behaviour
The Ipsos study is part of Ontario’s effort to measure how players behave after the launch of the regulated market. It gives regulators a clearer view of whether legal operators are attracting users who once gambled offshore.
The results also help AGCO and iGaming Ontario assess channelisation, consumer awareness and remaining illegal-market risks. Those areas remain central to Ontario’s online gambling policy as the market continues to mature.
