New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds more Canadians oppose than support throwing open the door to prediction markets at home. Two-in-five (41%) believe they should not be allowed, while just one-quarter (26%) would support permitting them — most of whom want strict regulations attached. Fewer than one-in-20 Canadians have ever placed a prediction market bet, and interest in doing so remains very low among the general public.
Awareness & knowledge
Users & interest
Should they be allowed?
What can be bet on?
Forecasting tool?
Methodology
›
Awareness & knowledge
Most Canadians know little or nothing about prediction markets — young men are the exception
Fewer than one-in-ten (8%) Canadians report deep knowledge of prediction markets. One-third (34%) have at least heard the term, while the largest group — more than two-in-five (46%) — say they know nothing at all. Knowledge is heavily concentrated among young men: three-in-ten (30%) men aged 18–34 say they know a lot about prediction markets, compared to just 8% of Canadians overall. Women and older Canadians are far less likely to have heard of them.
Know a lot
Heard the term
Know nothing
Not sure
Users & interest
Prediction market users are almost entirely drawn from the sports betting community
Canadians who have experience using prediction markets are almost universally sports bettors. One-in-five (22%) of those who regularly or previously bet on sports have also wagered on a prediction market, compared to just 1% of non-bettors. Overall, only 4% of Canadians have ever placed a prediction market bet. Interest among the broader public is also very low — nine-in-ten (90%) say they are not interested in wagering on a prediction market in the future. Men under 35 are the most engaged group, both in past use and future interest.
% who have used a prediction market
Should they be allowed?
More Canadians oppose allowing prediction markets than support them — but sports bettors are divided
Two-in-five (41%) Canadians oppose allowing prediction markets to operate in Canada, outnumbering the one-quarter (26%) who would support them. Most in the support camp would require strict regulations (18% of all Canadians). The picture shifts significantly among sports bettors — the existing user base for these platforms — where a majority (54%) support allowing prediction markets, though most would also want restrictions attached (34%). Opposition outweighs support among non-bettors by two-to-one (44% to 21%).
Yes, should be allowed
Yes, with strict regulations
No, should not be allowed
Not sure
What can be bet on?
Canadians draw a sharp line — sports and entertainment get some support, but majorities would ban everything else
Canadians are most permissive toward wagering on sports outcomes (42% would allow) and entertainment events such as award shows (39%). Support drops sharply for anything touching politics, economics, or global events — majorities say betting on elections, economic indicators, corporate outcomes, and global agreements should all be banned. The strongest opposition is reserved for markets tied to death and conflict: 68% would ban wagering on whether a public figure will die before a certain date, and 70% would ban bets on war casualties.
Should be allowed
Should NOT be allowed
Not sure
A forecasting tool?
Most Canadians see prediction markets as gambling — not a useful window into public opinion
Canadians decisively see prediction markets as a form of gambling rather than a forecasting tool. More than a third (35%) describe them as "mostly a form of gambling with financial risks," while just 3% see them as a "useful way to understand likely future outcomes and public opinion." One-in-six (15%) say they are a mix of both. Sports bettors are somewhat more open to their informational value — 9% view them as useful — but even this group most commonly sees prediction markets as primarily a gambling product (31%).
Useful forecasting tool
Mostly gambling
Mix of both
Neither
Not sure
About this survey
Methodology and downloads
The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from May 7–11, 2026, among a randomized sample of 1,803 Canadian adults. Respondents are drawn from the Angus Reid Forum. The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide according to region, gender, age, household income, and education, based on the Canadian census. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/– 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by ARI.
