Ontario’s regulated online gambling market stands as Canada’s largest since opening in April 2022. Market projections point to C$3.27 billion in gross gaming revenue by 2026, establishing Ontario as a major player in North American online gambling.
The market’s steady growth tells the story. From 13 initial operators at launch to today’s expanded field, Ontario online gambling now attracts major brands and players alike. Industry analysts expect Ontario to capture nearly 50% of Canada’s total online casino and poker revenue by 2026. This guide breaks down Ontario’s current gambling landscape, examines the path to legalization, and analyzes future market potential based on current data and trends.
Ontario’s Path to Legal Online Gambling
Ontario sports betting and casino gaming moved beyond the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s monopoly in 2019. The Canadian Parliament’s passage of Bill C-218 in June 2021 opened doors for provinces to establish regulated sports betting and casino markets.
Building the Framework
March 2021 marked the first steps toward a regulated market. The Ministry of the Attorney General and Ministry of Finance gathered industry feedback on competitive internet gaming. iGaming Ontario launched in July 2021, paving the way for the April 4, 2022 market opening – a first among Canadian provinces.
Regulatory Structure
Two bodies oversee Ontario online gambling:
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) leads regulation efforts through the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Key focus areas include:
- Blocking underage access
- Maintaining game integrity
- Securing player data
- Preventing money laundering
- Supporting responsible play
iGaming Ontario handles operator partnerships, signing agreements with gaming companies that meet strict fairness and player protection standards. The organization manages revenue through shared operator accounts for full transparency.
Gaming companies must secure both AGCO registration and an iGO operating agreement before offering services. This two-part oversight keeps players safe while building a strong gaming market.
Ontario Online Gambling Today
Ontario sports betting and casino sites now span 50 operators running 84 gaming websites. AGCO and iGO maintain strict market oversight, focusing on player safety and fair play.
Licensed Gaming Operators
iGaming Ontario lists all registered and approved operators. Each operator meets strict standards and holds valid iGO agreements. Major names like PointsBet, theScore, Rivalry, Rush Street Interactive, and Bet365 serve Ontario players.
Gaming Options
Players access a full range of betting choices. Casino games lead the market with 86% of total wagers. Sports betting claims 14%, while poker rooms handle 2% of wagers.
Popular options include:
- Casino games – slots, tables, live dealer
- Sports wagering – hockey, basketball, soccer, esports
- Poker – cash games and tournaments
- Quick games – scratch cards and instant wins
Signing Up to Play
Ontario gambling sites follow set registration rules. Players prove they’re 19 or older and live in Ontario. Government ID and address verification protect account security. Players control their experience through deposit limits and two-factor authentication.
Market Performance and Growth
Ontario online gambling shows strong Q3 2024-25 numbers. Total wagers hit USD 22.70 billion, up 32% year-over-year.
Revenue Since Launch
Year two brought major gains. Total wagers reached USD 63.00 billion while gaming revenue touched USD 2.40 billion – jumps of 78% and 72% from year one. Casino games led the charge, pulling USD 51.70 billion in wagers and USD 1.80 billion revenue during 2023-24.
The market adds muscle to Ontario’s economy. Nearly 15,000 full-time jobs created and USD 3.76 billion added to provincial GDP. Government coffers gained USD 2.79 billion since launch.
Market Leaders
bet365 tops operator rankings at 15% share, with FanDuel (13%), Betano (9%), and Super Group (8%) following. BetMGM, Entain, and BetRivers each hold 7%.
Commercial operators command 78% of action. OLG keeps 16% while offshore sites take 5%. Players favor casino games – 86% of wagers and 75% of revenue flow through slots and tables. Sports betting claims 23% of revenue, poker 2.4%.
Player numbers tell the success story. Over 1.3 million active accounts spend an average USD 308.00 monthly. Most importantly, 86.4% of players now stick to regulated sites.
2026 Market Outlook
VIXIO GamblingCompliance points to C$3.27 billion gross gaming revenue for Ontario online gambling by 2026.
Revenue Growth
iGaming Ontario sees adjusted gross revenue reaching USD 2.60 billion by 2025-26. Canadian market numbers paint a bigger picture – C$5.86 billion total market size by 2026. Ontario stands ready to claim C$3.00 billion of that pie.
Operator Landscape
Market forces shape operator numbers. Today’s 50+ licensed operators face natural selection through 2026. Success demands staying power and profit potential in this competitive field.
Growth Engines
Four key factors power market expansion:
- Open revenue sharing without operator limits
- Full suite of casino and sports products
- Strong player base in mature market
- Smoother operations from market experience
Job numbers tell another growth story – 22,000 full-time positions and USD 2.10 billion yearly government revenue expected by 2031-32. Canada-wide projections show C$3.85 billion in casino revenue and C$2.00 billion in sports betting revenue by 2026. Ontario’s proven model leads the way for other provinces.
Final Word
Ontario online gambling proves the power of smart regulation. The 2022 market launch sparked billions in revenue and thousands of new jobs.
Licensed platforms now capture 86.4% of player action, showing strong market confidence. Clear rules protect players while letting operators build their business.
Numbers tell the growth story. C$3.27 billion projected revenue by 2026 puts Ontario at the front of Canadian gaming markets. The province looks set to handle half of Canada’s casino and poker action.
AGCO and iGO built this success through balanced oversight. Their framework lets established sportsbooks and new brands compete on equal footing. Game integrity and responsible gambling stay front and center.
The results speak volumes – strong economic gains paired with solid player protections. Other provinces watch closely as Ontario charts the course for Canadian online gambling.
FAQs
Q1. Is online gambling legal in Ontario?
Yes, online gambling is legal in Ontario. The province launched its regulated online gambling market on April 4, 2022, becoming the first Canadian province to do so. This followed the passage of Bill C-218 by the Canadian Parliament in June 2021, which allowed provinces to create regulated sports betting and casino markets.
Q2. How large is Ontario’s online gambling market?
Ontario’s online gambling market has shown significant growth. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the market recorded USD 63.00 billion in total wagers and USD 2.40 billion in gaming revenue. By 2026, the market is projected to reach C$3.27 billion in gross gaming revenue.
Q3. What types of online gambling are available in Ontario?
Ontario’s regulated market offers a wide range of online gambling options. These include online casinos with slots, table games, and live dealer options; sports betting covering various sports including hockey, basketball, and soccer; poker rooms for cash games and tournaments; and instant win games like scratch cards.
Q4. Who regulates online gambling in Ontario?
Online gambling in Ontario is regulated by two main bodies: the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO). AGCO serves as the primary regulator, developing and enforcing standards, while iGO manages commercial relationships with private operators and oversees revenue management.
Q5. What are the age and location requirements for online gambling in Ontario?
To participate in online gambling in Ontario, players must be 19 years of age or older and physically located within the province. The registration process requires players to provide personal information and verify their identity using government-issued IDs and proof of address documents.
