Montrealer Sportbetting-legalizeQuebec was among the trailblazers in Canada to embrace the 'single game' betting style. Their state-operated sportsbook, Mise-o-jeux, ceased posting odds for multiple-game bets after the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act became law in August 2021. While Quebec still hasn't fully laid out its plans in the new Canadian gaming landscape, a different scenario unfolds across the border in Ontario. SEO guru Alex Goldstein notes that Ontario's full-fledged legal system has shifted how Ontarians conduct Google searches for betting platforms. If Montreal's 514 area code adopts similar regulations, might Montreal's residents follow suit?
Since the official launch of Ontario's regulations on April 4th, 2022, over 30 sportsbooks and more than 60 online casino companies have received operational licenses. Ontario surfaces as one of North America's thriving gaming landscapes, attracting a steady stream of new operators.
There's been a notable transformation in Google users' search modes while they look for alternatives to online casinos in Ontario . In cooperation with Canadian Gaming News Goldstein meticulously compared the search volume from the 11 months before and after legal online gambling operations began there.
Throughout this time, inquiries for 'Ontario betting sites' spiked more than 200%, whereas 'betting sites' queries fell by around 8%. This data hints that Ontarians now prefer platforms with official regulation and the relevant provincial licenses. Post legalization, major established operators saw a decline in their branded searches, with newcomers in the gambling industry trending upwards, the exception being Caesars’ Sportsbook.
Following the legalization initiation, there was a countrywide surge in 'betting sites' searches across Canada. Goldstein suggests this broadened interest resulted from Ontario's regulations, nudging curiosity in other Canadian regions.
While Quebec remains unchanged regarding online gambling regulations, its residents, especially Montrealers, are quite intrigued by Ontario's open market. Montreal citizens have shown curiosity in Goldstein's comparison site, which focuses on Ontario-centric content. This indicates that urban dwellers are yearning for a regulated gaming ecosystem.
Behavioral changes could be evident with Quebec's greater chance of overseeing its online gaming industry. The Quebec Online Gaming Commission, advocating for legal web-based gambling regulation, is already in talks with Lotto Quebec about finding the right legalization strategy. This coalition includes real estate and interactive gaming investors, Apricot Investments, plus leading Canadian online gambling entities like Betway, Fanduel, and DraftKings.
If Quebec adopts regulations similar to Ontario's, it is almost guaranteed that the search habits of Quebecers, especially those in Montreal, will adapt.
Last Updated: August 14, 2023
