Ontario's iGaming market continues to establish itself as one of the most lucrative in North America. Despite a competitive marketplace and strict regulations, the province has seen incredible growth in a short period. The latest market performance report from iGaming Ontario provides a snapshot of the sector’s performance, highlighting a significant year-on-year increase.
In February 2025, Ontario’s players placed an impressive CAD$7.13 billion in bets, which is a 26.9% increase compared to the previous year. This impressive growth is a testament to the expanding reach of iGaming in the province. Leading the charge are traditional online casino games, which generated USD 6 billion in February 2025. This is a 30% growth from the previous year.
A key factor contributing to this growth is the presence of casinos that support Gigadat transactions. This efficient state-of-the-art payment system allows secure deposits and withdrawals that are processed within 24 hours, enhancing the player experience and attracting more participants to Ontario’s online casinos.
Online poker, however, saw a decline, with consumer expenditure dropping by 6.5%. This shift could suggest a change in player preferences, with some players moving toward more popular options like online slots or sports betting.
Despite this change, the sports betting market in Ontario saw mixed performance in February 2025. While C$930 million was wagered on sports, marking a 12.6% increase compared to February 2024, it saw a 21% decrease from January’s record of C$1.18 billion. The decline in sports betting revenue could be attributed to several factors, including market saturation and changes in player preferences. Despite the drop, sports betting remains popular and a key component of Ontario’s iGaming market.
The total revenue for February 2025 reached C$280 million, reflecting a 19.2% increase compared to the previous year. Of this, internet gambling games contributed C$214 million towards the total, which is 76% of the monthly revenue and a 30.5% increase from 2024. Sports betting contributed C$62 million, showing a 47.6% increase, while online poker generated just under C$5 million, dipping by 9.4%. Even in the face of fluctuating trends in specific gaming categories, these figures emphasize the overall resilience of Ontario’s iGaming market.
The growth and performance of Ontario’s iGaming market are influenced by a variety of factors, including consumer behaviour trends and major sporting events. For instance, while the Super Bowl in February generated significant interest in sports betting, it also led to a sharp revenue decline due to favourable results for bettors. This shows how external factors, including market saturation and player preference, can play a crucial role in the monthly performance of the sector.
The regulatory environment also played an important role in the iGaming market’s success. Since the legalization of online gambling in Ontario in April 2022, the sector has become more accessible to players. This is mainly due to the stringent regulations by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) that ensure fair play and consumer protection to promote a safer environment for players. This, in turn, builds consumer confidence in the market.
The success of the iGaming sector also generates economic contributions to the province, such as a substantial receipt in taxes. The sector has fostered employment opportunities, creating more than 12,000 full-time jobs within the sector. The continued development of the sector attracts investments and partnerships, confirming Ontario as an established jurisdiction of choice in the North American iGaming sector.
So, what lies ahead for the future of Ontario's iGaming sector? Operators will need to continue adapting to keep up with evolving consumer needs by offering innovative and advanced products. This includes enhancing the user experience, leveraging new technologies and expanding on game offerings to maintain player engagement. Although the future of iGaming looks promising, online gambling businesses should remain committed to responsible gambling practices and uphold regulatory terms to ensure the industry's upward trend.
The figures for February 2025 provide a much clearer picture of the expansion and resiliency of Ontario's iGaming sector. Year-over-year increases in wagers and revenue are a reflection of a healthy market that is still agile and attuned to consumer preferences and regulatory landscapes.
To keep consumers and industry enthusiasts up to date, iGaming Ontario has confirmed that statistics will be released every month, which is a shift from the previous quarterly releases. This development ensures greater transparency and allows for more timely insights into the ongoing growth and changes within the iGaming market.
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