Super Bowl LIX is just days away, and the Toronto-based Responsible Gambling Council has released some interesting data regarding the wagering plans of Ontarians on the Big Game.
An online survey of 1,147 Ontario residents aged 18 or older reveals that 63% of those surveyed plan on watching Super Bowl LIX and 48% plan to place a wager on the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.
Bet on Chiefs vs. Eagles
KC -1
PHI +1
Of those that are planning to place a wager, 50% intend to place a bet online with a sportsbook, 30% will bet with friends and family, 27% will buy sport-based lottery tickets, and 20% will be in a pool. Roughly 55% plan to wager $100 or less, while 19% of respondents say they intend to bet between $101 and $500. Only 8% plan to wager $500 or more.
The overwhelming majority of respondents (55%) intend to place just a single wager on the outcome of the game, while only 25% intend to bet multiple times throughout the game using only one online sportsbook. Roughly 15% say they will be betting using multiple online sportsbooks.
The RGC is urging all football bettors, sharp or casual, to take a measured approach to their wagering strategies this weekend.
“Gambling is random but your plan shouldn’t be,” said RGC CEO Sarah McCarthy in the release. “Perceived knowledge of the game, persuasive advertising, and substance use can all influence how we gamble. A smart plan includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even with sports expertise, understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.”
The RGC is sharing the following tips for safer Super Bowl betting:
- Be mindful of the illusion of control. Remember that even with sports expertise a win is not guaranteed and understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.
- Be aware that time spent, and knowledge gained won’t help you “beat the odds”.
- Plan before you play – preset betting limits and stay within your budget.
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent/mortgage or food.
- Never chase losses by trying to win back what you’ve lost.
- Limit your alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substance intake.
- Don’t bet if you are upset or stressed.
- View sports betting as entertainment, not a way to make money.
South of the border, the American Gaming Association estimates that Americans will wager a record $1.39 billion legally on Super Bowl LIX. Although there are no official estimates for how much Canadians will wager on the event, provincial lottery corporations have been reporting record handle numbers over the past several Super Bowls.
Ontarians have 50 online operators to choose from that offer 84 different gaming websites, many of them offering sports betting and Super Bowl markets. For those that prefer in-person wagering, several casinos in the province now have retail sportsbooks and sports betting kiosks on their respective gaming floors, such as Caesars Windsor and Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, among others. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation also offers its PROLINE games across nearly 10,000 retail locations across the province, giving bettors a more accessible retail sports betting option.
The survey was completed between November 22 and December 6, 2024 using Leger’s online panel. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.9%, 19 times out of 20.
