Ontario iGaming market reaches CA$9.3bn as BetGuard launches

Ontario’s regulated iGaming sector continued to demonstrate resilience in April as the province reported CA$9.3 billion in total wagers across licensed online gaming platforms. Although wagering activity slowed slightly compared to March, the latest figures highlighted ongoing year-over-year expansion and reinforced Ontario’s position as one of the largest regulated online gaming jurisdictions in North America.

The market update also coincided with the launch of BetGuard, a new centralized self-exclusion system designed to strengthen responsible gaming protections for players using regulated online gambling platforms in Ontario. Industry observers view the initiative as another step in the province’s broader effort to balance commercial growth with consumer safeguards.

Ontario maintains strong annual momentum

According to the latest market figures, Ontario’s online gaming industry generated approximately CA$9.3 billion in wagers during April. The total represented a significant increase compared to the same month last year, reflecting continued growth in participation within the regulated market.

Despite the annual gains, the April total was approximately 3 percent lower than the figures reported in March. Analysts noted that month-to-month fluctuations are common in regulated betting markets and may be influenced by sporting calendars, consumer activity patterns and seasonal factors.

Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue also moved higher during the month. Ontario reported approximately CA$405 million in non-adjusted gross gaming revenue for April, marking an increase of roughly 5 percent compared to March levels. The revenue growth suggested that operators maintained strong performance despite the modest decline in overall betting volume.

The province’s regulated framework has continued to attract both domestic and international operators since Ontario officially opened its competitive iGaming market in April 2022. Since then, the market has expanded rapidly through a combination of online casino products, sports betting offerings and peer-to-peer poker services.

Online casino remains dominant

Online casino gaming continued to account for the overwhelming majority of activity within Ontario’s regulated market. Casino products represented approximately 87 percent of all wagers placed during April.

Total online casino wagers reached around CA$8.1 billion, confirming the segment’s continued dominance across the province’s digital gaming ecosystem. Although the casino category experienced a modest month-on-month decline of approximately 2 percent, it remained the primary revenue driver for operators.

Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue from online casino gaming totaled approximately CA$314 million during the month. That figure reflected a slight decrease compared to March, though the segment still delivered the strongest overall financial contribution within Ontario’s gaming industry.

The sustained popularity of online casino products aligns with wider trends seen across regulated gaming markets globally. Digital slot games, live dealer tables and interactive casino experiences have continued to attract large audiences due to convenience, accessibility and the growing sophistication of gaming platforms.

Market analysts have also pointed to improvements in mobile technology and user experience as contributing factors behind the sustained growth of online casino participation in Ontario.

Sports betting revenue rises despite lower wagers

Ontario’s sports betting sector recorded a mixed performance in April. While overall wagering activity declined modestly compared to March, revenue increased sharply during the same period.

Sports betting wagers totaled approximately CA$1 billion during April, accounting for around 11 percent of all wagers across the regulated market. The figure represented a month-on-month decrease of roughly 3 percent.

However, non-adjusted gross gaming revenue from sports betting climbed by approximately 40 percent to around CA$86 million. The increase demonstrated stronger operator hold performance during the month despite reduced betting volume.

Industry specialists noted that sports betting revenue can vary considerably depending on sporting outcomes, promotional activity and betting patterns. A lower volume of wagers does not necessarily translate into reduced revenue if sportsbook margins improve during a given period.

Ontario’s sports betting market has grown substantially since Canada legalized single-event sports wagering in 2021. The regulatory changes opened the door for licensed operators to expand sports betting offerings across the country, with Ontario emerging as the leading provincial market.

Major international sports events, professional league partnerships and increased consumer awareness have all contributed to the expansion of the sports betting segment in recent years.

Poker segment experiences slowdown

Peer-to-peer poker faced a more difficult month compared to other gaming verticals in Ontario. Both wagering activity and revenue declined significantly during April.

Poker wagers dropped by approximately 30 percent month on month to around CA$128 million. Revenue from poker operations also declined by roughly 24 percent to approximately CA$5.3 million.

The poker category remains comparatively small within Ontario’s regulated gaming environment when measured against online casino and sports betting activity. Market observers have frequently noted that poker liquidity challenges and competition from larger casino offerings can affect long-term growth in the segment.

Nevertheless, regulated poker continues to maintain a dedicated player base and remains an important component of Ontario’s broader iGaming structure.

BetGuard introduces new responsible gaming protections

Alongside the latest market performance figures, iGaming Ontario announced the rollout of BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion tool aimed at supporting responsible gambling initiatives.

The voluntary program allows users to self-exclude from all participating regulated online gaming platforms through a single process. Once activated, the system can block access to existing accounts, prevent the creation of new accounts and halt marketing communications from licensed operators.

The introduction of BetGuard has been viewed as a significant development within Ontario’s responsible gaming framework. Previously, self-exclusion systems often required players to opt out separately with individual operators. The centralized approach is intended to simplify the process and provide stronger protections for vulnerable users.

Responsible gambling advocates have generally welcomed efforts to streamline exclusion tools across regulated markets. Industry stakeholders have increasingly emphasized the importance of balancing commercial expansion with consumer protection measures as online gaming participation continues to rise.

Ontario regulators have consistently stated that channeling players toward regulated platforms remains a key policy objective. Officials have argued that licensed environments provide stronger player protections, greater transparency and enhanced responsible gaming tools compared to unregulated alternatives.

Regulatory market continues to evolve

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market has become one of the most closely watched jurisdictions in the global gaming industry. Since launching its open market structure, the province has attracted dozens of licensed operators and gaming suppliers seeking access to one of Canada’s largest populations.

The regulatory model has also generated significant discussion internationally, with policymakers in other jurisdictions monitoring Ontario’s approach to licensing, taxation and consumer protection.

Industry experts believe the market may continue evolving as operators compete for market share through product innovation, technology investment and enhanced player engagement strategies.

At the same time, regulators are expected to maintain close oversight regarding advertising standards, responsible gambling measures and compliance requirements.

The latest figures suggest that Ontario’s online gaming market continues to expand on an annual basis despite short-term fluctuations in wagering activity. With online casino products maintaining strong momentum and sports betting revenue showing resilience, the province remains a central hub for regulated digital gaming in Canada.

Conclusion

Ontario’s April iGaming results reflected a market that continues to mature while sustaining long-term growth. Although overall wagering activity declined slightly from March, the province still achieved substantial year-over-year gains and recorded higher non-adjusted gross gaming revenue.

Online casino gaming remained the dominant force within the sector while sports betting delivered stronger revenue performance despite lower betting volume. The poker segment experienced a softer period, though it continues to hold a place within the regulated ecosystem.

The launch of BetGuard added another important dimension to Ontario’s evolving regulatory framework by strengthening self-exclusion tools and reinforcing responsible gaming protections. As the province’s online gaming market continues to develop, regulators and operators are likely to remain focused on balancing commercial success with consumer safety and sustainable industry growth.

FAQs

What was the total value of wagers in Ontario during April?
Ontario’s regulated iGaming market recorded approximately CA$9.3 billion in wagers during April.

Did Ontario’s betting market grow compared to last year?
Yes. The April figures represented a strong year-over-year increase compared to the same month in the previous year.

Why did wagering activity decline from March?
The market experienced a modest month-on-month decrease of around 3 percent, which may reflect seasonal trends and normal fluctuations in betting activity.

Which gaming segment generated the highest activity?
Online casino gaming remained the largest segment and accounted for approximately 87 percent of all wagers placed in April.

How much revenue did Ontario’s iGaming market generate?
The market generated approximately CA$405 million in non-adjusted gross gaming revenue during April.

Did sports betting perform well in April?
Yes. Although sports betting wagers declined slightly, revenue from the segment increased significantly compared to March.

Why can sports betting revenue increase even when wagers fall?
Sports betting revenue can rise due to improved sportsbook margins, betting outcomes and changes in wagering behavior.

How did the poker segment perform during April?
Peer-to-peer poker experienced declines in both wagering activity and revenue during the month.

What is BetGuard?
BetGuard is a centralized self-exclusion tool introduced for regulated online gaming platforms in Ontario.

What does BetGuard allow users to do?
The system enables users to block access to gaming accounts, prevent new account creation and stop marketing communications from participating operators.