Over the last couple of years, Canada has transformed into a leading hub for sports betting. This was possible after the federal government lifted the ban on single-event wagering in August 2021.
The change has paved the way for the opening of Ontario’s open market for online casinos and sportsbook operators, generating CA$825.8 million in gaming revenue in Q3 of 2024. In that time, total bets hit CA$22.7 billion. Both numbers were an improvement over Q3 of 2023.
Ontario’s iGaming Model
Each Canadian province conducts online gaming and sports betting through their respective lottery agency. However, since April 2022, Ontario has operated differently. Canada’s most populous province launched its own open iGaming sector for private operators. Since then, 50 gaming platforms have joined the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation in offering legal casino products.
To put it into numbers, each quarter has around 997,000 active player accounts. Monthly spending per account was CA$277 on average in Q3 of 2024. However, in Q1 the number hit CA$284, or 44.2% up from the previous year. December 2024 recorded betting handle of CA$7.8 billion, surpassing the previous record from November by 4%.
In the meantime, sports betting, eSports, proposition and novelty wagers contributed CA$3.4 billion of the handle in Q3. They covered 15% of all bets and provided CA$166 million in revenue. It was 20% of the total gaming turnover for that period. Still, the provincially-run OLG has 20% and 30% share of the iGaming market, despite the third-party competition.
Provincial Market Variations and Regional Betting Patterns
The individual regulatory framework across provinces creates different betting landscapes that affect consumer behaviour differently in each jurisdiction. For instance, Ontario’s open-market approach is quite different from the state-run models of British Columbia and Quebec.
Meanwhile, sports betting in the country ranges significantly between the Atlantic provinces, which offer it through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Prairie provinces, with each having its own lottery Crown corporation.
With such provincial differences, betting options, promotional offers, and odds competitiveness vary. Ontarians have access to 50 private operators, while Manitobans or Saskatchewanians can only rely on offers on the provincial lottery’s platforms. This has led to average monthly spending patterns from CA$200 in closed markets to CA$284 in Ontario.
Alberta Follows Ontario’s Footsteps
After Ontario, Alberta also seeks to launch a competitive online casino sector. A few months ago, the province passed Bill 48, also known as the iGaming Alberta Act. Once enacted as law, the legislation would allow the province to license third-party operators to offer legal digital casino offerings.
Bill 48 would also see the launch of iGaming Alberta, which will oversee iGaming operations in the province. Meanwhile, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, which currently conducts online betting, will deal with regulation. There’s still no official start date for the market. But the CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, Paul Burns, reckons it will happen sometime during Q1 of 2026.
It’s worth noting that the timeline could be accelerated due to possible trade tariffs implemented by the US government. Still, Alberta officials are monitoring these changes while applying the finishing touches to the province’s operational framework.
Revenue Projections
In total, Canada’s sports betting sector accumulated CA$4.1 billion in revenue throughout 2024. Experts project that the revenue will hit CA$8.7 billion by 2030, which would be a compound annual growth of 13.6% from 2025 to 2030. Predictably, online operators accounted for the largest share of turnover in 2024, demonstrating the fastest growth rate.
In the meantime, quarterly numbers indicate consistent growth patterns. Q3 betting volume spiked by 22% from the previous Q2 of 2024. They were also 32% higher than Q3 of 2023. Gaming revenue saw 10% expansion on a quarter-over-quarter and 25% year-over-year basis in the same period.
Regulatory and Enforcement Efforts
With the gambling expansion across Canada, federal lawmakers have not forgotten about consumer protection. They are reviewing Bill S-269, which would limit the widely popular sports betting adverts.
If passed, the legislation would ban ads during primetime hours and live sports events. It would also prohibit promotional terms, such as “bonus” and “odds boost,” and significantly reduce endorsements by celebrities. The Senate introduced the bill in November 2024, as part of introducing a national framework for addressing sports betting ads.
In addition to that, law enforcement monitors for potential illegal gambling activities. For instance, in March 2025, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit discovered and intervened in an unlawful gaming and bookmaking scheme in the Greater Toronto Area. Several individuals will be facing criminal charges.
Technological Frameworks and Market Trends
Mobile wagering platforms and integrated payment systems are also key factors for the expansion across Canadian markets. Also, features like live wagering and real-time odds updates are now common across regulated platforms. These innovations allow operators to scale rapidly while offering the user-friendly experiences that today’s consumers expect.
Lastly, user engagement data suggests that betting habits and behaviour are intricate. Active accounts also indicated consistent monthly activity, while spending patterns are stable. These suggest that the market is maturing.
Key Takeaways
It’s safe to say that Ontario’s iGaming model has helped Canada become a sports betting leader in North America. The province has provided record-breaking revenue and paved the way for other provinces. With Alberta also taking this approach, it seems the Canadian industry is on track for further growth and continued innovation.
