Canada’s gaming culture has shifted in a big way over the past few years. What used to be a pastime tucked away in local casinos or through scratch-off tickets has now expanded into a booming online industry. The numbers show just how massive this wave has become. Canada ranks eighth in the world for money spent on online gambling, a remarkable feat for a country that only recently loosened its betting regulations. This high ranking not only reflects the growing popularity of online gambling but also has significant implications for the economy and social dynamics.
Ontario has been leading the charge. In April 2022, the province launched a legal, regulated iGaming market, giving players access to dozens of sports betting and casino websites. The appetite was immediate. In its first year alone, Ontario’s online gambling market drew in more than $35 billion in wagers, far surpassing the expectations set by industry analysts. Other provinces have been watching closely, and while not all regions have legalised their own frameworks yet, Canadians still have easy access to offshore sites. For many, the days of travelling to a casino are long gone; plus, all players now have easy access to their favourite casino online, which means betting has become part of everyday entertainment.
The way people gamble is changing as much as the platforms themselves. There’s been a significant shift in gambling habits, with sports betting exploding, especially since single-game wagering was legalised in 2021. Bettors can now place quick, in-game wagers, like predicting the first goal scorer, without waiting until the final whistle. Casinos remain the biggest draw, raking in billions annually, with online slots and table games being the biggest contributors. Even long-standing favourites like lotteries and bingo have adapted to the digital shift, keeping their loyal base while drawing in younger players curious about mobile gaming. This evolution and modernisation of the gaming culture is palpable and exciting.
This surge in accessibility is driven by convenience. Smartphones and laptops have made it possible to bet anytime, anywhere, whether someone is at home watching a game or scrolling through apps on their commute. This ease and comfort have attracted around 19 million Canadians who prefer gambling online rather than in person, a number that continues to rise. The average player doesn’t spend huge amounts each month; most report wagering under $20, but when multiplied by millions of users, the revenue tells a different story. Industry reports estimate that Canadians collectively spend billions each year, with online gambling alone projected to keep climbing as technology advances and more games hit the market.
But growth hasn’t come without concerns. The sheer volume of advertising for betting sites has many people uneasy. From hockey broadcasts plastered with odds to celebrities and athletes endorsing platforms, gambling has become hard to ignore. Nearly half of Canadians surveyed by Ipsos in late 2022 felt that ads were excessive and needed to be scaled back. Critics worry about the effect this normalisation could have on younger audiences who are still developing habits around money and risk.
For now, though, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. Whether through legal provincial platforms or offshore casinos, Canadians are clearly embracing the shift to online gaming. With a mix of convenience, evolving technology, and a culture that increasingly sees gambling as mainstream entertainment, the country’s gaming scene is not just growing, but also promising a future of even greater expansion. The potential for growth in the online gambling industry is exciting and something to look forward to in the years ahead.
