Ontario iGaming revenue just hit a new high after recording its second-highest-ever monthly revenue since the market launched in April 2022.
Ontario has reported a gross gaming revenue of CA$313 million, marking about a 6% increase in its monthly value. This new milestone highlights strong market performance and the growing number of players engaging with online casinos across the Ontario iGaming sector.
This increase can be linked to a couple of factors, which include player participation in sports betting and the expansion of licensed casino operators, which offer both land-based and online gaming services.
Many people are turning to online casinos because of the perks that they provide, which include large gaming libraries and instant withdrawals. The withdrawal time analysis from these platforms shows that you can get your winnings instantly, contributing to impressive user experience for players.
iGaming sites also offer different payment options, including cryptocurrency, that serve not only users familiar with traditional banking institutions but also those who specialise in using digital assets.
They also have a user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for customers to navigate to their favourite games and to check out the welcome and VIP bonuses that they offer.
From the iGaming report, casinos dominated the market, which is expected. More details from the report revealed that cash wagers from casinos reached a value of CA$6.58 billion.
Casino betting took about 78% of April’s market share, reaching a total monthly value of CA$242.8 million, which is a 1% rise in monthly value.
What’s Driving the Market’s Rapid Expansion?
Factors Boosting Ontario’s iGaming Growth
Beyond the surface-level numbers, several deeper trends are contributing to this upward trajectory. These include technological improvements, player acquisition strategies, changes in consumer behaviour, and regulatory clarity that makes the market attractive for both operators and customers.
Many Ontario iGaming operators now rely heavily on advanced gaming platforms that support faster load times, more immersive graphics, and smoother transitions between different types of games. This has made online casinos more appealing to players who might otherwise prefer land-based alternatives.
In addition, the growth of mobile gaming has given more people access to casino games and sports betting platforms without needing to be at home or in a physical casino.
The level of convenience offered by mobile apps, combined with the wide range of available games, has played a massive role in fuelling industry growth.
Another important contributor is the rise of live dealer games. These games, which combine real-time video streaming with traditional casino gameplay, have become increasingly popular.
They offer a hybrid experience that blends the social aspect of land-based casinos with the flexibility of online play.
Many new users enter the iGaming space specifically to try live casino games, and their popularity has led to a noticeable revenue boost in Ontario. Sports betting also contributed significantly to this growth.
The revenue from online sports betting got a 34% rise monthly, which was the biggest increase when compared to any other metric indicated in the report.
This supports earlier projections that the sports betting marke in Canada will pull in up to US$2.29 billion (CA$3.15 billion) by the end of 2025.
Its April 2025 revenue was significantly larger than the revenue from last year, as it generated CA$64.5 million compared to the CA$56.7 million generated in 2024.
Player-to-player poker, which represents about 2% of the market, showed a decline of about 11% as it generated just about CA$5.9 million in revenue.
The powerful sports betting performance can be credited to several factors: major sporting events, increased marketing efforts during peak seasons, and improved betting features such as in-game wagering.
Many sportsbooks now offer AI-powered recommendations, live odds adjustments, and personalized bet suggestions. These features not only increase engagement but also lead players to place more wagers overall, benefiting the industry’s monthly revenue.
This growth across the industry coincides with the growing trend of player participation in Ontario. In April 2025, active players using iGaming platforms reached 1.09 million, which is the third-highest number recorded in Ontario’s history.
With this metric, it is expected that revenue can grow even more before the end of the year.
Operator promotions, such as deposit matches, free spins, and risk-free sports bets, have also helped retain existing users while inviting new groups.
Many players are motivated by bonuses, and operators continue to adjust their promotions to stay competitive in the market. Increased competition among licensed providers has indirectly encouraged these enhancements, which further strengthens Ontario’s overall iGaming ecosystem.
Market Challenges, Seasonal Trends, and Outlook
Despite this increase in the number of active players, the money spent on gambling dropped by about 2%. Online sports betting got the biggest hit, dropping by about 10%, while casinos and player-to-player poker reduced by 1% and 2% respectively.
Although this decline in spending from April has given analysts a reason to worry, it is observed that it might get better before the end of the year.
The decline in spending is not entirely surprising, considering seasonal behaviour patterns. Certain months consistently see a dip in gambling activity as players adjust their entertainment budgets or shift their attention to outdoor activities, especially during warmer periods.
In sports betting specifically, the off-season for several major sports can cause temporary slowdowns. This natural fluctuation is usually balanced out when major leagues resume their schedules, bringing bettors back to the platforms.
At general, advertising spend is on a decline, but particularly, it tends to decrease even more during the summer months across various industries, including online gambling and sports.
In 2024, sports betting ads dropped by 9%. It is expected that when the summer months are over and sports activities come back up again, there will be an increase in player online gambling activities, and by extension, ad spend.
Operators are also exploring new forms of targeted advertising, such as influencer collaborations and social media campaigns, which are often more affordable and more effective than traditional TV or billboard ads.
As these strategies expand, Ontario’s iGaming platforms may see even stronger engagement rates.
Ontario’s regulatory environment continues to play a crucial role as well. Since the launch of its open iGaming market in 2022, the province has established itself as a leader in regulated online gambling.
Strong consumer protections, transparent licensing standards, and effective oversight make players feel safe, which encourages participation.
As long as these systems remain stable and predictable, more operators will continue to enter the market, further expanding the competitive landscape.
Ontario iGaming Growth: Strong Engagement and Market Expansion into 2025
Ontario’s iGaming performance shows a combination of strong user engagement, technological advancement, industry expansion, and strategic marketing trends.
Despite temporary spending dips, the overall market direction remains positive, and projections suggest even stronger growth leading into 2025 and beyond.
