Super Bowl fever is reaching north of the border, too, as data from the Responsible Gambling Council has shown that almost half of sports fans in Ontario are planning to bet on the Big Game.
RGC has conducted an online survey of over 1,000 Ontarians in the lead-up to the big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, which is set to be one of the most bet-on sporting fixtures in US history.
Breaking down the numbers, 54% intend to place a single bet on the result, while 24% are betting on each outcome of the game through multiple sportsbooks.
41% of the Ontarian respondents said they would bet on an AGCO and iGO-approved sportsbook, and 36% will buy sports-based lottery tickets.
On the amount of money people plan to wager, 54% said they would bet $50 or less, 26% between $50 and $100, and 19% plan to bet over $100.
Fulfilling its remit of tracking and promoting responsible gambling in Ontario, RGC’s survey assessed bettors’ awareness of RG tools in anticipation of the betting bonanza.
The survey discovered that the overwhelming majority – 88% – of this year’s Super Bowl bettors plan to employ at least one strategy to manage their gambling risk. Approximately 38% plan to stick to a pre-set betting limit, with 34% indicating they always view sports betting ‘as entertainment, not as a way to win money’.
Finally, 24% commit to never betting while intoxicated, and 21% to not betting if feeling depressed or anxious.
“It’s positive to see the majority of Ontario’s sports bettors using the extra bench strength of responsible gambling tools, both on and offline,” said Shelley White, CEO of Responsible Gambling Council.
“The excitement of the big game, being with friends and family, and substance use can all influence how we play; and betting more than one can afford to lose can have a devastating impact. Having a plan in place to manage risk and protect yourself is key to enjoying the game.”
In other Super Bowl pre-match betting analysis, the American Gaming Association has claimed that over 50 million Americans plan to wager over $16bn on the Big Game this weekend.
