Ontario iGaming Reaches New Heights in October as Online Casinos Dominate
Online Casinos Drive Ontario iGaming to Record $6.5 Billion Wagered in October
Ontario’s regulated online betting market reached a milestone in October, achieving its highest performance since its launch in 2022. Recent figures indicate that players wagered over CAD 9.2 billion (approximately $6.5 billion) on licensed platforms, continuing the robust growth trend observed throughout the year.
The increase in betting volume marked a significant rise from September’s previous record and showed considerable growth compared to the same period last year. This surge is attributed in part to an expanding user base, with almost 1.3 million active accounts recorded in October—the largest number to date. The month also saw operators report record revenues, generating about CAD 367.7 million ($261.5 million) in unadjusted earnings, substantially higher than figures from October last year.
Online casino games remained the primary force behind this momentum, accounting for roughly 85% of all wagers placed. The total betting amounts across slots, table games, and live dealer experiences reached CAD 7.9 billion ($5.6 billion), with these games also producing over CAD 300 million ($213.3 million) in profits. Industry experts note that casino gaming has consistently been the cornerstone of Ontario’s online gambling landscape and shows no signs of losing steam.
Sports Betting Continues to Grow Despite Challenges from Local Team Loyalties
October was a busy month for sports betting, bolstered by exciting events such as the Toronto Blue Jays’ rare advancement to the World Series, alongside the return of the NHL and NBA seasons, resulting in a packed sports calendar. These factors contributed to a record-breaking CAD 1.2 billion ($853.5 million) wagered on sports betting markets. However, despite high betting volumes, profitability was constrained as many wagers were placed in support of the local baseball team during their playoff run. Nevertheless, sportsbooks earned just over CAD 58 million ($41.3 million) in revenue, improving from September’s dip but not reaching the peaks seen earlier in the year 2025.
Market share from competitive poker games, where players face each other, remains modest with bets totaling around CAD 131 million ($93.2 million) and profits of CAD 5.6 million ($4 million). This segment could experience growth soon following a decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal, which allows the province to enter agreements to join international player pools. This ruling would enable poker and daily fantasy sports enthusiasts to participate in global contests, provided safety standards are maintained. Industry observers welcomed this development as it could signal a revitalization of poker and fantasy games, which have struggled in Ontario’s more isolated marketplace.
As of October, there were about 50 active operators in the market, with a slight decline to 48 following recent exits. As Ontario approaches its fourth year of regulated online gambling, the industry continues to evolve. Expectations point toward growth driven by larger player networks, a steadily increasing customer base, and the sustained strength of the online casino sector, all contributing to the province’s rising online gambling performance.
