The Canadian iGaming sector has seen significant changes in recent years, thanks to a relaxation of legislation, advances in technology and a shift in cultural attitudes towards gaming. Today, the industry is much needed success story that is helping boost the economy through job creation and tax revenues.
Gross gaming revenue from online gambling in Ontario increased by 32% year-on-year to CA$3.20 billion (US$2.30 billion) in 2024-25. That is the highest annual total since the Canadian province launched legal iGaming back in April 2022.
Casinos boosting figures
One of the biggest reasons for Ontario’s success has been the growth in reputable online casinos such as those ranked at Carino.org Ontario, their ability to offer players access to thousands of games, including slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, anytime and anywhere they want, is a key to the sectors success.
With technology constantly improving and Virtual Reality, AI, and Augmented reality promising ever more immersive and exciting games, the future for gamers looks more exciting than ever before.
Popularity of Poker
Despite all the impressive bells and whistles of slot machines and other video games, there is one classic casino game that continues to go from strength the strength. Poker may have been around for over 100 years, but it continues to excite and entertain audiences to this day.
Online casinos offer players a wide variety of poker variations, from traditional games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha to Seven-Card Stud, Razz, and many more. There are also a host of tournaments available to enter too, plus tables to suit any skills level, from novice to the more experienced.
August Trends
iGaming Ontario reported that Ontario’s regulated online betting and gaming market generated an estimated CA$8.14bn in wagers in August. Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) was CA$334.8m. The figures signify impressive year-on-year increases of 34.6 per cent and 40.5 per cent, respectively.
Casino wagers accounted for 80 per cent of total revenue, while casino gaming revenue was up over 44 per cent in year-on-year terms. While peer-to-peer (P2P) poker wagers were up too at CA$151m, with revenues up 15 per cent compared to the previous month.
These figures are the highest recorded since the province opened its iGaming market back in April 2022. It is also only the second time that monthly spending has surpassed the $8bn threshold, following May’s impressive figures of $8.07bn.
It caps one of the most profitable months ever for Ontario’s operators and continues the markets seemingly unstoppable upward trend. In the space of just twelve months, the market has grown by more than $2bn in betting activity and nearly $100m in revenue.
Poker Wager Trends
Over the year, poker wagers have shown consistent results, with quarterly wagers around CAD $400–$418 million, and monthly figures coming in at between CAD $129–$148 million. Year on year, wagers have grown 2% to $1.7B and show no signs of stopping.
Seasonal Patterns
There was an uptick in wagers in spring but the inevitable drop off in summer due to tourists leaving saw figures fall back. However, the traditional summer lull saw a positive August that has put the year on track for record figures. Autumn numbers are expected to remain in line with expectations and on a slight upward trend.
Key Drivers
As always, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) gets a lot of eyeballs on the game and increases player participation. Several WSOP tournaments have passed through Canada this year and brought with it an increase in poker wagers as players are attracted to the game.
With revenues continuing to grow, so too does competition, bringing with it increased innovation, better bonuses and promotions, and more game choice. All these factors help drive user interest and provide more opportunities for people to play poker.
Technology remains a key driver for casinos and poker. Smartphone saturation, improved internet speeds and connections, and more immersive games, have all played a part in increasing player participation.
Challenges
Despite its success, there’s no denying that Ontario faces its challenges. The main obstacle is ring-fenced liquidity which limits poker players to Ontario players only. This has inevitably led to calls for an international player pool expansion but requires permission from the courts.
Ontario is keen to expand its online poker beyond its borders and into the US and beyond, and has asked an appeals court for permission to do so. If approved, this could substantially increase wagers and add to the appeal of the Ontario gaming market.
The Future
Ontario has led the way in Canada when it comes to gambling variety and regulation, and is the only province with a fully regulated online gambling market. The province also boasts over 25 land-based casinos, including major venues in Toronto and Niagara Falls. As it pushes to expand its offering to a wider foreign audience, the province looks set to remain a world leader in the iGaming industry.
