Ontario online gambling spend reaches record high in Q3
In the third quarter, Ontario witnessed a staggering CA$22.7 billion (£12.8 billion/€15.2 billion/US$12.8 billion) spent on online gambling, setting a record for the highest quarterly spending to date. This milestone comes as the provincial regulator, iGaming Ontario, transitions to a new monthly reporting framework.
Previously, iGaming Ontario reported quarterly data, but the release of Q3 figures marks the commencement of monthly updates, offering insights into gambling trends since the legalization of online gaming in April 2022.
Online Casino Spending Surges to New Heights
In Q3, the total market spending saw a remarkable increase of 32% compared to the same quarter of the previous year and surpassed Q2 of the current fiscal year by 22%. Ontario’s third quarter spans three months ending December 31, 2024, highlighting a significant growth trajectory.
Online casino gaming continues to dominate player interests within the province. In Q3 alone, spending in this segment reached CA$18.9 billion, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth of 38% and establishing a new benchmark for the market.
Sports betting, inclusive of esports wagering, accounted for CA$3.4 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 10%. Meanwhile, peer-to-peer poker attracted nearly CA$418 million in wagers, a slight decline of 3% from the prior year.
Revenue figures for the market in Q3 also reached new heights, totaling CA$826 million—26% higher than the 2023-24 cumulative revenue and 12% more than Q2’s CA$738 million.
Specifically, online casino revenue contributed CA$644 million, a remarkable 37% increase compared to the previous year. Conversely, sports betting revenue experienced a slight decline of 3%, settling at CA$166 million, while poker revenue decreased by 6% to CA$16 million. Notably, 50 active operators collectively managed a total of 83 gaming websites in Q3.
December Records Shattered
December marked an unprecedented month, with online gambling spending soaring to an all-time high of CA$7.8 billion. This figure represents a 28% increase year-on-year and exceeds November’s previous record by 4%.
Online casino spending surpassed CA$6.5 billion, establishing another monthly record with a 33% increase compared to 2023-24. Sports betting also saw growth, climbing by 9% to reach CA$1.1 billion, while poker spending faced an 8% dip, totaling CA$141 million.
In terms of revenue, December’s total stood at CA$269 million—19% more than the previous year but 10% lower than November’s peak of CA$291 million.
Online casinos generated a monthly revenue high of CA$224 million, reflecting a 36% increase compared to December 2023-24. However, sports betting revenue contracted by 28%, falling to CA$39 million, while poker revenue decreased by 7% to CA$5.6 million.
This continued growth in Ontario’s online gambling sector highlights an evolving landscape, where consumer interests remain firmly aligned with innovative digital gaming experiences.
