One Year Later, Ontarians Prefer Legal iGaming

Regulatory Success: 85% of Ontarians Now Gamble at Legal Betting Sites

One of the greatest arguments for the legalization and regulation of a competitive iGaming market in Ontario was to keep citizens gambling on locally approved websites. Politicians call it player protection – providing a safe environment monitored by local authorities. We all know they’re equally interested in keeping billions of dollars in gambling revenue from leaking outside the province. Whatever you want to call it, it’s working.

Prior to the launch of this newly regulated market in the Spring of 2022, billions of dollars were reaching offshore gambling sites. The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) estimates $14 billion in online wagers pouring out of the country every year. Ontario’s market has proven successful in staunching the flow of its share by appealing to the nature of its iGaming masses.

85% of Ontarians Now Choose Legal Betting Sites

A report released earlier this month by provincial regulator iGaming Ontario (iGO) confirms the news. Since launching its competitive market one year ago, 85% of locals now do their online gambling at iGO-licensed websites.

Ironically, the total wagers taken in at these websites during Q4 alone (Jan-Mar’23) was $13.9 billion. That figure nearly matches the amount CGA reports indicate all Canadians were spending offshore each and every year.

The data more than insinuates that Ontarians are heeding the call to participate in a safe regulatory environment. Already iGO and its 40+ legal online casino and sportsbook operators are boasting 1.6 million active player accounts. Between them, a total of $35.5 billion in wagers have been placed in the first year.

AG Downey Praises the Province for a Fantastic Turnout

“Ontario’s igaming market has displaced the pre-existing unregulated market,” says Attorney General Doug Downey. He praised the province’s collective efforts for making, “Ontario a recognized leader internationally in this industry since its launch in April 2022.

It wasn’t an instant turnaround, mind you. Q1 results earmark just under 500,000 active players across 31 legal betting sites. With each new quarter, those numbers got higher, indicating that more and more players were gaining interest in Ontario’s regulated market.

“We are truly proud of this strong, responsible, competitive online gaming model,” AG Downey continues. “I want to especially commend the strong leadership of Executive Director Martha Otton, Board Chair Dave Forestell and the rest of the team at iGaming Ontario for helping us transform Ontario into a global leader in the sector.”

Laying the Groundwork for Success

Director Otton spent 9 years as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) before taking on her new role at iGO in 2021. She knows as well as anyone the work that went into building a safe and legal environment for Ontario’s online betting community.

“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.”

– Executive Director Martha Otton

From his seat at the end of the table, iGO Board Chairman Forestell has strategically nurtured the market’s growth from the ground floor up. To see it blossom into a world leader in such a short period of time is a proud moment, indeed.

“Today’s numbers demonstrate that Ontario has one of the best online gaming markets in the world. Since Ontario opened the market we have seen new investment, job creation, and captured revenue that used to leave the province. Ontario is well on its way to becoming the best gaming jurisdiction in the world.”

– Board Chair David Forestell

What’s Next for Ontario and Canada as a Whole?

There’s no question Ontario’s market will continue to thrive. Whether there’s room for additional operators is debatable, but there are certainly more licenses up for grabs should any additional companies be looking to enter.

The more interesting question is whether any other Canadian provinces will follow in Ontario’s footsteps. Ontario is the first and only jurisdiction to move toward a competitive market. Surely there are others on the fence, taking the good old ‘wait and watch’ approach.

Most Canadian provinces do offer some form of online gambling, but their structures are provincial monopolies. They offer one home-grown website, run by their local government. It’s not exactly deterring the masses from visiting offshore websites the way Ontario has.

British Columbia and Quebec could especially benefit from such a transition. It’s a lot of work, sure, but look at the figures Ontario is posting. Would it not be worth it effort? Only time will tell, but I have a hunch big-wig executives and government leaders are discussing the matter in their private chambers already.