The Most Popular Sports to Bet on Ontario

Here at betting.bet, we take a deep dive into the betting appetites of Ontario residents, using our player data to paint a picture of where sports betting in Ontario is heading.

The legalised Ontario sports betting industry has now entered its third official year, with figures showing its continued upward trajectory concerning gaming income and province tax contributions.

A recently published report from Deloitte highlighted that the total government revenue generated via the industry reached $1.24 billion last year. The breakdown was $790 million (Ontario), $380 million (federal) and $75 million (municipal).

"Our made-in-Ontario igaming sector is being recognised internationally for its success as a leader in this space. Working together with our partners and industry, we will continue to drive innovation and deliver robust player protections, all while displacing the unregulated market," said Doug Downey, Ontario's attorney general.

"Our igaming sector is not only a job creator here in Ontario but it shows the world our ongoing commitment to building a sustainable and responsible igaming industry," he said.

The route of this income is player activity. With the diversification of betting interests in Ontario, more gambling revenue is being generated than ever before. We at betting.bet do not expect this to change any time soon.

When we think of Ontario's sporting culture, the 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors, spring to mind. But, as the sports betting industry has progressed, Ontario's tastes have diversified. On this page, we have taken a deep dive into the betting appetites of Ontario residents, using our player data to paint a picture of where sports betting in Ontario is heading.

Ice Hockey

Hockey is Canada's National Winter Sport, which enjoys a substantial following from Ontario's capital city, Toronto. According to a survey conducted by Statista, 24.3% of people in Ontario follow Ice Hockey, illustrating the province's deep-rooted love for the sport.

This love for ice hockey is reflected in the betting markets, with ice hockey betting sites being highly in demand throughout Ontario. According to data provided by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the province is home to 47 operators that operate 77 betting sites. More than 80% of these gambling options offer ice hockey betting.

NFL

Ontario's love for the NFL has never come into question. Stats prove that a huge 10 million tuned in to watch the 2024 Super Bowl in Canada. This was the most-watched Super Bowl on record, according to leading data company Numeris.

Although Toronto has hosted American football teams, such as the Continental Football League's Toronto Rifles from 1965 to 1967, the city has never had an NFL team. However, various attempts to establish an NFL franchise in Toronto occurred between 1975 and 2014.

A detailed survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) states that four in ten Ontario sports bettors placed a wager on Super Bowl LVIII. This interest in betting on NFL games has not waned, with NFL betting sites being hugely popular! Many believe these stats make a significant case for an NFL expansion team in Toronto.

NBA

NBA betting in Ontario is, as you would expect, big business. The Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors received NBA franchises in 1994, which really put Canadian basketball on the map. While you may associate March Madness with US bettors, Canadians also increase their sports betting engagement levels as March comes around.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse has been a prominent sport in Canada since the mid-1800s. History books tell that Lacrosse originated among Canada’s indigenous people, a long time before the arrival of the Europeans. At the time, the game had just two rules;  no touching the ball with your hands and no boundaries.

The modern format of the game is still hugely followed across all Canadian provinces, including Ontario. In 1994 Canada’s “National Sports Act” named Lacrosse as the country's National Summer Sport, giving it further prominence and exposure.

Here is a brief history of the game:

Due to this rich history and unwavering interest in Lacrosse, a country's community of bettors enjoys wagering on games and competitions. This has led to many Canadian betting sites promoting Lacrosse as a core betting market. William Hill, Betway and Bodog are just a few examples of leading Lacrosse betting sites in Canada.

Soccer

Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer games draw in huge crowds of fans across Canada, being one of the nation's core sports. According to Canada Soccer, which is the governing body for soccer in Canada, nearly 1,000,000 participant players are involved in the Canadian soccer industry.

While wagering on the likes of Forge FC, Cavalry FC, Pacific FC, and HFX Wanderers is popular in Canada, Canadian soccer bettors also enjoy predicting the outcomes of games taking place across the globe. Research shows that the most popular bets include international tournaments such as the World Cup as well as Premier League and Champions League events.