Legal Online Gambling: Canada’s Multi-Billion Dollar Success Story

Ontario has always been one of the more progressive Canadian provinces when it comes to gambling. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) was solely responsible for managing all lottery games, sports betting, and casino gaming in Ontario until April 2022, when online gambling was legalised.

In April 2022, control of online gambling was passed from the OLG to the newly formed Alcohol and Gaming Commission Ontario (AGCO), which, in partnership with iGaming Ontario (iGO), oversees the safety of Ontarian players and manages all licensing agreements with online casino providers.

 $35 Billion Gambling in Year One

In an official press release looking back at the region’s first year of regulated online gambling, iGO proudly announced that Ontario was now one of “the top 5 igaming jurisdictions in North America”.

Attorney General Doug Downey said:

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"Ontario's igaming market has displaced the pre-existing unregulated market and made Ontario a recognised leader internationally in this industry since its launch in April 2022. We are truly proud of this strong, responsible, competitive online gaming model.”

Some of the key metrics outlined by the announcement include:

1. Total Wagers Placed: $35.6 billion
2. Total Gaming Revenue: $1.4 billion
3. Number of Active Players: 1.6 million

What makes these numbers even more impressive than the fact that it has only been one year since online gambling was regulated is that it was all accomplished by just over 40 operators. Making Ontario a very lucrative market for licensed providers.

Responsible Gambling Is King

Downey’s comment on Ontario's focus on responsible gambling is echoed by Executive Director Martha Otton, saying:

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"Every player who places a wager with a legal Operator is doing so in a safe, regulated, and protected environment. I want to thank the players, our 40+ Operators and our government partners for placing their trust in us. Together we can help this market continue its strong performance."

The sector's health is reflected in how locals engage with the online casinos they play at. Some key details are:

• Gambling on a Budget: On average, iGaming Ontario numbers show the monthly spend per active player accounts over the last year to be about $70.
• Fantastic Channelisation: According to an Ipsos survey conducted in March 2023 and released today by AGCO, around 85% of respondents who gambled online in Ontario over the past three months gambled on regulated sites.
• Balanced Game Selection: Within the online casino category, nearly half (48%) of all casino wagers were on slots, almost a third (32%) on live dealer games, and the remainder (19%) on RNG table games.

These stats prove that there is no oversaturation of jackpot games or an imbalance when it comes to claiming welcome bonuses and other promotions. Most players are sticking to manageable gambling budgets and playing a balanced selection of games.