Key Takeaways
- Canadian gambling participation has fallen from 76% in 2002 to 64.5% in 2018, while the industry continues to grow substantially
- Ontario’s regulated online gambling revenue jumped from CAD 1.3 billion in 2022–23 to CAD 2.9 billion in 2024–25
- Online casino games, not sports wagering, account for approximately 75% of Ontario’s regulated online revenue
- Revenue expansion stems from increased spending by current players, not from attracting new participants
- Gambling sponsorships with major leagues including the NHL, CFL, and CEBL have normalized betting in Canadian sports culture
Canada’s gambling landscape presents a striking contradiction: participation rates are declining while industry revenues climb to unprecedented heights.
According to Statistics Canada, 76 percent of Canadians aged 15 and older reported gambling activity in 2002. Fast forward to 2018, and that figure had declined to just 64.5 percent.
Yet paradoxically, revenues from Canada’s online gambling sector have experienced explosive growth. This expansion is primarily centered in Ontario, where regulated online gambling operations commenced in April 2022.
During its inaugural full year, Ontario’s market generated approximately CAD 1.3 billion in gaming revenue, based on data from iGaming Ontario. The subsequent year saw this figure leap to CAD 2.2 billion.
The 2024–25 period brought revenue to CAD 2.9 billion. Total wagering activity increased dramatically from approximately CAD 63.2 billion in 2023–24 to CAD 82.7 billion in 2024–25.
The province tracked approximately 2.6 million active player accounts during 2024–25. For context, Ontario’s total population stands at roughly 15 million.
This raises an important question: how can market revenues expand while participation contracts? The explanation lies in behavioral shifts—current players are dedicating significantly more time and money to gambling platforms.
Casino Games, Not Sports Betting, Power Revenue Growth
Sports betting dominates headlines and public discourse. Single-event sports wagering became federally legal in Canada during 2021 following the passage of Bill C-218. However, [[LINK_START_0]]online casino games[[LINK_END_0]] represent the true financial engine.
During 2024–25, online casino operations produced approximately CAD 2.2 billion of Ontario’s CAD 2.9 billion total. Casino games therefore represent roughly three-quarters of all regulated online gambling revenue in the province.
While sports betting transformed gambling’s public perception in Canada, casino games quietly dominate the financial picture.
Dmitry Arabuli, CEO at Tonybet, explained that Ontario’s regulatory framework fundamentally altered competitive dynamics. He noted that major North American operators flooded into the market, with strategic emphasis shifting from casual participants to highly engaged players.
Arabuli also highlighted how regulation successfully migrated players from offshore and grey-market platforms into the licensed ecosystem. This movement didn’t expand the total player pool, but it channeled existing gamblers into a regulated framework.
Sports Betting Sponsorships Saturate Canadian Athletics
Following legalization, gambling companies have become ubiquitous sponsors throughout Canadian professional sports. The National Hockey League maintains official betting relationships with ESPN BET and theScore Bet across North America.
The Canadian Football League established a partnership with ToonieBet as its official sports betting and casino sponsor. The Canadian Elite Basketball League collaborates with TonyBet as its official online sportsbook partner.
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment formalized an agreement with Betty as its official online casino partner in Ontario.
Gambling brands now occupy prominent positions on arena signage, throughout broadcast coverage, and across digital platforms. Betting has become deeply integrated into how Canadians experience professional sports.
Despite this heightened visibility, participation rates haven’t increased. Instead, the cultural perception of gambling has shifted, particularly among younger demographics who increasingly view it as an intrinsic component of sports entertainment.
Canada lacks a unified national gambling framework. Ontario operates a competitive licensing system featuring dozens of authorized operators. Other provinces continue relying on government-controlled platforms.
Alberta has publicly indicated intentions to develop its own regulatory structure, suggesting continued evolution across the country.
The most comprehensive growth statistics originate from provincial digital markets rather than national surveys. The transition from physical lottery tickets and brick-and-mortar casinos to mobile applications represents a fundamental transformation in Canadian gambling behavior.
Regulatory bodies are intensifying scrutiny of responsible gambling mechanisms and examining how financial risk concentrates when a shrinking player base generates expanding revenue.
Alberta’s forthcoming regulatory initiatives demonstrate that Canada’s gambling environment remains in flux. As of March 2026, Ontario’s regulated market recorded CAD 82.7 billion in total wagers for the 2024–25 fiscal year.
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