It was only in 2022 that legislation was passed to legalize online gambling in Canada. Up until then, Canada had maintained a strict stance against online activity, but that attitude appears to be softening slightly with the breakthrough legalization of online gambling activities such as online casino play and online sports betting in the province of Ontario.
Ontario has been heralded as a trailblazer in the online gambling industry in Canada and has ushered in a new wave of industry and business within the country. The 4th of April 2022 marked the historic day when 13 approved operators in Ontario went live with their online casino games and online sportsbooks.
Casino classics such as blackjack, roulette, poker, and slots appeared in a reinvented digital format that allowed players to play these games from the comfort of their homes and on their personal digital devices. Sports enthusiasts were also equipped with the ability to wager money on what they were watching and following.
This day marked the changing of the gambling landscape in Canada. But how has the industry progressed in Canada since this game-changing moment, and what movement can we expect over the remainder of the year?
Provinces Not Rolling The Dice On Online Gambling…yet
With Ontario taking the lead in setting an example for how to provide a legal and secure framework for online gambling operators to work under in Canada, it was expected that other provinces would follow its example. However, the movement from decision-makers in other areas of the country has been slow. The general consensus amongst the majority of provinces is that online gambling is too much of a risk to take, with the potential harm caused by financial losses and addiction outweighing the revenue numbers that could be achieved.
British Columbia has bucked that trend by regulating casino games, lottery, and sports betting, but not at the level of Ontario’s implementation. Quebec is the other province that permits online casino play alongside the local province-licensed Loto-Quebec. While other provinces have not exclusively dismissed the prospect of a regulated online gambling framework, there is clearly more persuasion required for lawmakers to begin contemplating the idea of online gambling within their borders.
Ontario To Continue Leading The Way For Canada
With little to no movement from provinces in Canada that do not currently possess a legal framework for online gambling, Ontario will continue to represent Canada on the growing global online gambling stage.
Casinos like LuckyKoala that are legally able to operate within Ontario are benefiting from the ability to appeal to Ontarians who have an interest in online casino games or sports betting, but Ontario as a province is also benefiting immensely from the additional revenue produced by online gambling.
Based on initial projections made in 2022 when online gambling was first regulated in the province, the revenue forecasts are on course to hit the predictions, if not surpass them. With the door to Canadian and global online casino companies flung open, the revenue started to pour in, which is a gain for the people of Ontario and the province as a whole. After $2.4 billion worth of revenue was reported in 2024, the province is on the right path toward the $3.2 billion estimation by 2026.
Although these figures do not come close to established online casino markets such as those in the United Kingdom and the U.S., the growth of online gambling in Ontario within the last three years has been rapid. These numbers can be expected to increase, which would further cement Ontario’s standing in the worldwide online gambling market. Whether other provinces emerge to support Ontario remains to be seen. For now, Ontario will continue to fly the flag for Canada on the global stage.
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