The recent survey by Leger has had a closer examination of how individuals in Canada and the United States are approaching sports betting. The study was conducted in the period between August 29 and 31, 2025, and it involved at least 1,621 Canadians and 1,015 Americans, and inquired about their habits and preferences.
The figures are predetermined: 19 % of Canadians and 26 % of Americans said that they had made a sports bet last year. It is a modest decline, in comparison to 2024, when it was 21% and 30%. This was also the case with fantasy sports: 14 % of Canadians and 18 % of Americans.
At home hockey, cross-border football
Hockey remains predominant among Canadian bettors. Forty-one % responded that the NHL is their favorite betting game. Further south of the border, it is all football, and 59 % of Americans cited the NFL as their primary target.
This gap is not unexpected, but it does show the influence of cultural affiliation on gambling behaviors. Canadians are recording a minor withdrawal from NFL betting; just 26% currently bet on football games, which is a reduction compared to previous years. Simultaneously, NBA betting has gone up, which indicates the changing preferences of younger audiences.
As gambling becomes more competitive, players are paying closer attention to platforms themselves. Many turn to online casino reviews to compare odds, promotions, and features, making it easier to find a sportsbook or casino that fits their habits.
Live betting: a U.S. preference
The survey has indicated that Americans are experimenting with additional avenues of placing bets. Almost 39 % of them indicated that they use live or in-play betting options. In comparison, Canadians do it only 22 %.
That spreads to other platforms, where the U.S. players are more active on micro betting, betting exchanges, and even eSports bets. Comparatively, Canadian bettors keep it tight and hold on to conventional markets.
A closer look at participation rates
The difference in the data is the trend of total participation. In Canada, sports betting dropped to 21 % in 2024 to 19 % in 2025. The drop is not high, yet it is a hint at a reserved strategy, bringing fewer casual gamblers into the market. The ones who still bet are the loyal and repeat customers in the area of hockey.
The figures are different in the U.S. The American market is responding more favorably to growth, though there is a slight decrease from 30 to 26. The number of bets that can be placed and how players are ready to experiment with the new format make it appear that the decline is not permanent. Interest in betting remains high, and how the spending is done is indicative of long-term growing prospects.
Entertainment spending drives the gap
The survey connects these betting habits to a broader trend: how much each country spends on entertainment. Americans, on average, allocate more money to leisure, whether it’s streaming subscriptions, live events, or betting. That approach extends into gambling, where a greater share of consumers are open to exploring different markets and spending larger amounts.
Canadians, on the other hand, tend to be more selective. Their participation rates are lower, and they spread entertainment spending across fewer categories. Betting is part of the mix, but not as deeply woven into their spending habits as it is for Americans.
What the numbers hint at going forward
The survey suggests that betting is carving out different paths on each side of the border. In Canada, hockey continues to carry the market, while interest in football has cooled, and basketball is slowly picking up momentum. Participation overall is steady but shows a slight dip, reflecting a cautious approach to gambling.
In the U.S., football remains the clear driver, but the bigger story is how players are branching out—embracing live and in-play wagers, trying out newer formats like micro bets and eSports, and generally spending more across the board. Even with a minor decline year-over-year, the American market looks more dynamic, pointing to stronger growth potential compared to Canada’s slower pace.
