A survey undertaken by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has revealed that 49% of Ontarians who bet on sports are planning to place a wager on Super Bowl LVII this Sunday.

The NFL Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs is expected to be one of the biggest of all time in terms of handle, and the popularity of such an event has certainly extended to the Ontario market.

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 will bet on a ‘legal sportsbook website’, and 36% will buy sports-based lottery tickets.

In terms of the values placed, 54% said they will bet $50 or less, 26% between $50 and $100, and 19% plan to bet $100 or more.

Meanwhile, 39% of adults believe their sports knowledge gives them an ‘edge’ in predicting outcomes, jumping to 73% for those who bet and 91% for those who bet on sports regularly, leading the RGC to sound a note of caution to bettors over the dangers of being overconfident and betting more than they can afford to lose.

Positively, though, the survey also found that 88% of this year’s Super Bowl bettors plan to employ at least one strategy to manage their gambling risk. Approximately 38% say they will stay within a pre-set betting limit, with 34% indicating they always view sports betting ‘as entertainment, not as a way to win money’. 24% commit to never betting while intoxicated, and 21% to not betting if feeling depressed or anxious.

63% of sports bettors have used at least one responsible gambling feature on sportsbook websites, while 22% of those aged 18-34 utilize personalized spending reports (win/loss information, time and money spent) to curb their risk.

“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, 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.”

The online survey of 1,001 Ontario residents aged 18+ was completed between Jan. 6-8.