Ontario gamblers wagered over $11.5 CAN with online sports betting sites in the most recent quarter of the 2022 fiscal year, new data from government agency iGaming Ontario (iGO) reveal. That’s a 90.9% increase over the preceding quarter (this statistic doesn’t cover promotional wagers and bonuses like free bets). In fact, the market generated a staggering $4.1 billion in wagering in its first quarter alone with a mere 18 operators active.
Gambling more popular than ever
In the third quarter of 2022, 36 separate operators in total started taking bets in the province (up 50% from 24 in Q2), while the number of gaming websites rose from 42 to 68 – a 68% increase from the previous quarter. Additionally, active player accounts (not unique bettors) jumped from 628,000 to 910,000, with the average monthly spend by these accounts rising from $142 to $167 – an 18% increase. These numbers aren’t just impressive for Canada – they’re even the highest operator and site totals for all regulated gaming markets across the continent.
Popular online casinos
When it comes to online casinos, Canadians have no shortage of options to choose from. Jackpot City, for example, is one of the best gambling sites Canada; it offers over 500 games by 16 providers, along with a generous welcome bonus of up to $1,600. Alternatively, gaming giant Bet365 has long operated in Canada’s “grey market” – it’s one of the most popular gaming platforms by market share in Ontario. After the launch of regulated gaming in the province, the bet365 mobile app was one of the most downloaded apps of any category. TheScore Bet (Toronto-based), along with three U.S.-based online casinos – BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings – are also some of the province’s other top market share leaders. Another top market share operator, Caesars, actually runs a brick-and-mortar venue in Ontario, along with a mobile gaming platform. Ontarians can also bet with other major national brands, such as, Bally Bet, Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers, and PointsBet, as well as top European companies like LeoVegas, PartyPoker, and bwin (formerly known as betandwin).
Ontario’s new internet gambling market
Ontario opened its legal iGaming market in April 2022 – a landmark move that allows private-sector operators of casinos, online sportsbooks, and poker to take bets. In contrast, the majority of other provinces in Canada still offer online gambling via government-owned lotteries. Ontario’s government-owned lottery, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG), is still in business, although its revenue isn’t included in the iGO report as it manages gaming independently.
Ultimately, it’s still yet to be determined whether other provinces will go the same way as Ontario. In fact, the structure of the iGaming market may end up running into unavoidable legal challenges. For example, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke has already accused the province of running an illegal regulatory scheme. Nevertheless, despite this pushback, Ontario’s online gambling market only continues to go from strength to strength.