Online casinos are the dominant sector in the Ontario iGaming market, accounting for the majority of the province’s C$4.04 billion in online gaming revenue. According to reports, more than 91% of Ontario online gamblers now use regulated sites rather than unregulated alternatives.
Although the online gambling industry in North America has been experiencing significant growth over the last several years, there are few jurisdictions that have managed to match the growth of Canada’s most populous province. Ever since Ontario launched its open, regulated iGaming market in April 2022, the industry has blossomed from an ambitious experiment into a multi-billion-dollar regulated market.
According to the latest data from iGaming Ontario (iGO), the province’s regulated online gambling sector has generated over C$10 billion in cumulative operator revenue. However, one question remains: What is growing fastest in this highly competitive sector? Despite sports betting seeming to dominate public advertising and media headlines, it’s the casino segment that’s driving much of Ontario’s iGaming growth.
Why online casinos are driving Ontario’s iGaming growth
Official performance reports from provincial regulators reveal that online casino games have accounted for around 85% of all online gaming handle in the province. This includes games like online slots and live dealer table games.
During peak reporting periods, monthly wagers on online casinos amounted to C$7.89 billion of the total C$9.25 billion market handle. This volume also translates into significant operator revenue, with online casinos contributing more than C$3.1 billion of the province’s C$4.04 billion in total annual iGaming revenue, well ahead of sports betting.
What the major motivations behind the rapid casino expansion are
There are several systemic factors that can help explain the growth of online casinos, including platforms like TitanPlay online casino, within Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.
Online casinos offer players:
- Continuous availability, unlike sports betting, which relies on seasonal sporting calendars, major league schedules and live event windows.
- Product variety through the volume of games available across modern online casinos in the Ontario iGaming market. Regulated platforms offer game libraries with thousands of titles, ranging from classic three-reel slots to modern video slots and live dealer games.
- Live dealer games have become a growing category within many modern online casinos. These games are broadcast live from studios and feature real dealers managing physical cards and roulette wheels. The human element and the inclusion of social chat features add another way for players to interact during gameplay.
- Mobile-first optimization has made online casinos more intuitive and user-friendly, with the added touch of hyper-personalization creating a customized feel that makes the apps easier to navigate. With over 70% of wagering in the province now being conducted on smartphones or tablets, mobile access has become an important part of how many users engage with regulated online casinos
The mobile-first design of modern online casinos, and their availability across mobile devices, means users can access games at different times. This differs from sports betting, which depends on when games are happening, who is playing and what betting markets are available.
How iGaming growth has impacted regulations and the economy
The growth of Ontario’s iGaming market has attracted attention across the North American gaming industry. With the province’s regulated market generating around C$4 billion in annual revenue, it has become larger than the regulated online gaming markets in several other Canadian provinces.
This has prompted discussions in other provinces about their own online gaming models, and Alberta has announced plans to introduce a regulated private-operator market based on elements of Ontario’s framework.
The province’s tax and regulatory model has also created a significant source of public revenue while supporting private operators participating in Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.
An emerging iGaming market in north America
The growth of the Ontario iGaming market has attracted attention across North America. As other provinces review their own online gaming frameworks, this regulated, private-operator model has become a key point of reference in discussions.
The online casino segment has played a significant role in that growth, supported by large game libraries and a wide range of game formats. While sports betting often receives more public attention, online casino games account for the majority of activity within Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.
