Leger Fall 2026 Study Tracks Prediction Market Uptake Among Active Sports Bettors
Freya Schwarz · Oct 1, 2026
Leger Fall 2026 Study Tracks Prediction Market Uptake Among Active Sports Bettors
Leger released its Fall 2026 study on sports betting and prediction markets in October 2026, and the numbers show clear differences in how bettors on either side of the border approach these platforms. The survey focused on active participants rather than the general population, which means the figures reflect people already placing wagers on sports events and related outcomes. Data from the report indicates that prediction markets have moved beyond early adopters and now sit alongside traditional sportsbooks for a sizable share of users.
Participation Rates Across the Two Markets
Canadian sports betting participation in the past year climbed from 19 percent in 2025 to 24 percent in 2026, while U.S. numbers held steady near 26 to 27 percent over the same period. The study notes that those who bet on sports also tend to explore multiple formats, and prediction markets represent one of the formats gaining traction within that group. Observers note the Canadian increase coincides with expanded legal options in several provinces, yet the U.S. market shows no similar movement despite broader state-by-state legalization.
Prediction Market Usage Patterns
Fifty-three percent of U.S. sports bettors and 42 percent of Canadian sports bettors reported using a prediction market at least once, according to the Leger findings. Within the past year specifically, 37 percent of U.S. bettors and 19 percent of Canadian bettors said they had placed a wager on one of these platforms. The gap between lifetime and recent use suggests some bettors try the format once or twice before deciding whether to continue, yet the overall penetration remains substantial among people already active in sports wagering.
Engagement Across Multiple Formats
The study describes typical users as highly engaged across several wagering formats rather than limiting themselves to a single type of bet. People who reported prediction market activity also showed higher rates of participation in daily fantasy, prop bets, and futures markets compared with those who had never tried prediction platforms. This pattern holds in both countries even though overall participation levels differ, which points to a core group of bettors who treat multiple products as interchangeable tools for the same underlying interest in outcomes.
Demographic and Behavioral Overlaps
Researchers at Leger found that prediction market users skew toward younger adults and those who already follow sports closely through multiple channels. The data further shows these users often maintain accounts on several platforms simultaneously, moving between traditional sportsbooks and prediction exchanges depending on the event or odds available. While the survey did not isolate specific motivations, the numbers indicate that convenience and variety play roles in how bettors allocate their activity across products.
The report links these behaviors to broader market maturity, noting that U.S. bettors have had longer exposure to a wider range of legal options in many states. Canadian participants, by contrast, operate in a more recently expanded regulatory environment, which may explain the lower recent-use figure even as overall past-year betting rose. Both groups nevertheless demonstrate willingness to test newer formats once they are already comfortable with core sports wagering.
Key Takeaways from the Survey Data
Figures in the Leger study reveal that prediction markets have established a foothold among active bettors without displacing conventional sportsbooks. The 53 percent lifetime usage rate in the U.S. and 42 percent rate in Canada represent meaningful adoption within the target population, while the past-year numbers of 37 percent and 19 percent respectively show ongoing activity rather than one-time trials. Canadian betting participation growth from 19 percent to 24 percent between 2025 and 2026 provides context for how quickly the broader market can shift when regulatory conditions change.
Those who have studied these trends note that multi-format engagement appears consistent across borders, suggesting the behavior stems from user preferences rather than local market structure alone. The data does not project future growth, yet it supplies a baseline for tracking whether prediction markets continue to attract the same engaged cohort or expand into less frequent bettors over time.
Conclusion
The Fall 2026 Leger survey supplies concrete measurements of prediction market adoption within the sports betting community in both the United States and Canada. Stable U.S. participation alongside rising Canadian figures, combined with high rates of multi-format engagement, paints a picture of a maturing market where bettors sample available products. The full report remains available for those seeking additional detail on methodology and sample composition.