Key Takeaways
- Canada’s nationwide gambling participation fell from 76% in 2002 to 64.5% in 2018, even as the sector continues growing
- Ontario’s regulated online gambling sector skyrocketed from CAD 1.3 billion in 2022–23 to CAD 2.9 billion in 2024–25
- Online casino games, rather than sports wagering, account for approximately 75% of Ontario’s regulated digital revenue
- Revenue expansion stems from increased engagement among current players, not recruitment of new participants
- Strategic alliances with sports organizations including the NHL, CFL, and CEBL have embedded gambling into mainstream Canadian sports culture
Canada faces a peculiar gambling trend: participation rates are declining while industry revenues climb to unprecedented heights.
Statistics Canada data shows that 76 percent of Canadians aged 15 and above reported gambling activity in 2002. That figure decreased to 64.5 percent by 2018.
Yet this downward trend in participation hasn’t slowed revenue growth in Canada’s digital gambling sector. The expansion centers on Ontario, where regulated online gambling launched in April 2022.
During its inaugural complete fiscal year, Ontario’s marketplace generated approximately CAD 1.3 billion in gaming revenue, based on iGaming Ontario figures. The subsequent year saw this figure surge to CAD 2.2 billion.
The 2024–25 period brought revenue to CAD 2.9 billion. Overall wagering activity increased from approximately CAD 63.2 billion in 2023–24 to CAD 82.7 billion in 2024–25.
The province reported approximately 2.6 million active player accounts during 2024–25. Ontario’s total population stands at roughly 15 million residents.
This raises an important question: how can market expansion occur while participation decreases? The explanation lies in heightened spending and engagement from current players on digital gambling platforms.
Casino Gaming Dominates Digital Revenue Streams
Sports wagering captures public attention and media coverage. Single-event sports betting gained legal status throughout Canada in 2021 following Bill C-218’s passage. However, [[LINK_START_0]]online casino games[[LINK_END_0]] generate the majority of actual revenue.
During 2024–25, digital casino operations produced approximately CAD 2.2 billion of Ontario’s CAD 2.9 billion total. Casino products represent roughly three-quarters of all regulated digital gambling income within the province.
While sports betting transformed gambling’s public perception in Canada, casino offerings silently power the financial engine.
Dmitry Arabuli, CEO at Tonybet, explained that Ontario’s regulatory framework transformed the competitive environment. He observed that major North American operators flooded into the market, with emphasis shifting toward highly engaged players rather than casual participants.
Arabuli also highlighted how regulation drew players from offshore and unregulated platforms into the licensed framework. This didn’t expand the overall gambler population but redirected existing participants into regulated channels.
Gambling Brands Dominate Canadian Sports Landscape
Following legalization, betting companies have become ubiquitous throughout Canadian professional sports. The National Hockey League established official betting collaborations with ESPN BET and theScore Bet for the North American market.
The Canadian Football League formed a partnership with ToonieBet as its designated sports betting and casino partner. The Canadian Elite Basketball League collaborates with TonyBet as its official online sportsbook partner.
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment executed an agreement with Betty as its official online casino partner throughout Ontario.
Gambling brands currently appear on arena signage, throughout broadcasts, and across digital platforms. Wagering has become increasingly integrated into Canadian professional sports consumption.
Despite this heightened visibility, gambling participation hasn’t increased. Instead, it has altered public perception, particularly among younger demographics who view it as inherent to the sports entertainment experience.
Canada lacks a unified gambling framework. Ontario operates a competitive structure featuring dozens of licensed providers. Other provinces continue using government-operated platforms.
Alberta has indicated intentions to establish its own regulated system, suggesting additional changes forthcoming.
Most current growth statistics originate from provincial digital markets rather than national surveys. The transition from physical lottery purchases and brick-and-mortar casinos to mobile applications represents a fundamental shift in Canadian gambling behavior.
Regulatory bodies now scrutinize responsible gambling mechanisms and revenue distribution patterns when a smaller player base generates proportionally larger revenues.
Alberta’s forthcoming regulatory initiatives demonstrate Canada’s gambling environment remains in flux. As of March 2026, Ontario’s regulated marketplace recorded CAD 82.7 billion in total wagers throughout the 2024–25 fiscal year.
