Canada’s online gambling market pulled in $2.64 billion in 2021, with nearly half of that coming from online formats. That figure grew to $3.1 billion by the end of 2023, reflecting the industry’s steady expansion. Meanwhile, offshore sites rake in over $4 billion annually from Canadian players, highlighting the significant outflow of gambling revenue to unregulated platforms.

In Ontario alone, online poker generated $11.7 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2024. Across the country, wagers on online poker exceed $100 million annually, a small slice of Canada’s total gambling market, which surpasses $12.5 billion each year.

Ontario’s regulated system has successfully retained over 85% of its players on locally licensed platforms, setting a precedent for other provinces. As a result, many regions are now considering similar regulatory approaches to keep tax revenues within Canada while ensuring a safer gambling environment for players.

The Role of Tournaments in Driving Revenue

Large-scale poker tournaments have played a pivotal role in shaping Canada’s gambling economy, generating millions in prize pools and boosting tourism. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit event in Toronto drew over 5,000 entries and awarded more than $5.5 million in 2024, further cementing poker’s economic influence. Similarly, the annual World Poker Tour (WPT) in Montreal attracts both local and international players, significantly benefiting casinos and the hospitality industry.

Online poker in Canada continues to grow steadily amid these live tournaments. Online platforms host major events with guaranteed prize pools that attract thousands of players. This dual presence of live and online tournaments reinforces poker’s financial impact on Canada’s gambling sector.

Employment and Industry Development

The expansion of online gambling has led to the creation of approximately 7,000 new jobs in 2023. From game developers and cybersecurity experts to customer support teams and marketing professionals, the industry has fostered employment growth across various sectors.

Additionally, investment in Canadian gaming studios such as Old Skool Studios, Zartek, and Pear Fiction has surged. These companies play a crucial role in developing innovative gaming content, ensuring a steady influx of new titles that keep players engaged while keeping revenue within Canada’s economy.

Beyond direct employment, gambling revenues support social programs. British Columbia, for instance, allocates $140 million annually from gambling revenues to fund community projects. Other provinces have implemented similar initiatives, demonstrating the broad societal benefits
of the industry beyond casino profits. Other provinces have varied approaches for distributing these funds.

Legal Framework and Consumer Trends

Ontario remains a leader in online poker regulation, with iGaming Ontario overseeing operations and maintaining strict compliance measures. The province saw $14 billion in wagers from 920,000 registered players in early 2023, growing to $17.2 billion by the year’s end, generating $658 million in revenue.

Nationwide, about 30% of adults are registered on at least one online betting site, with a demographic skew toward players aged 30 to 50 years old. Men account for 56% of users, reflecting a gender-based trend in online poker engagement.

With the growing acceptance of online gambling, provincial governments are increasingly considering regulatory frameworks to provide safer, locally governed alternatives to offshore platforms. Esports betting is also gaining traction, with expectations that it will become a significant market segment by 2025.

Mobile and High-Tech Gaming Expansion

The shift towards mobile gaming has redefined player behavior. More gamblers now prefer smartphones over desktops, prompting online casinos and poker sites to optimize their mobile platforms for seamless accessibility.

Artificial intelligence has been incorporated into several aspects of online gambling, such as personalized game recommendations and automated customer support. Additionally, blockchain technology has improved transactional security and payout speeds, ensuring greater transparency for players.

Looking ahead, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are expected to play a more prominent role in online gambling, creating immersive experiences that simulate real-world casino environments. These advancements will likely drive further engagement and attract a younger demographic of tech-savvy players.

The Economic Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its growth, Canada’s online poker industry faces key challenges, particularly regarding offshore gambling competition and regulatory discrepancies across provinces. Offshore operators continue to attract Canadian players, diverting potential tax revenue away from local
governments. Addressing this issue through a nationwide regulatory approach could help Canada maximize the economic benefits of online poker.

Additionally, the gambling industry’s relationship with responsible gaming initiatives will be crucial in ensuring sustainable growth. With the rise in problem gambling awareness, implementing more robust player protection measures and responsible gaming campaigns will be essential.

The future of online poker in Canada looks promising. As more provinces explore regulatory frameworks, the industry is poised for further expansion, bringing new jobs, increased tax revenues, and enhanced consumer protections. Continued technological innovation and tournament expansion will further solidify Canada’s position as a significant player in the global online poker market.

Conclusion

Online poker plays an integral role in Canada’s gambling industry, contributing millions in revenue, job creation, and technological advancements. With Ontario leading the way in regulation, other provinces are likely to follow suit, fostering a safer and more profitable gaming environment.

However, addressing offshore gambling competition and strengthening responsible gaming measures will be crucial in maintaining industry stability. As mobile gaming, AI, and blockchain continue to evolve, the online poker market will remain a key economic driver in Canada’s gambling sector for years to come.

By fostering regulatory expansion, technological innovation, and responsible gaming practices, Canada can ensure the continued success of its online poker industry, keeping revenue within national borders while offering a secure and engaging experience for players.

The online casino industry is growing so fast, and the question of how to participate remains pertinent. In fact, according to recent statistics, the number of online gamblers is expected to hit 210 million in 2025. And, of course, it follows that players from regions like Calgary and Edmonton have contributed a lot to this growth.

However, just like any other industry, getting the right information is also important for online casino players. Realizing this, we have crafted an article that will enlighten you on a number of things, ensuring your gameplay is engaging. Therefore, you’ll actually do well to hang around.

Identify a suitable platform

A great online casino gaming experience all begins with choosing the right platform. But how do you ensure that it’s actually the right platform? Let’s take a look at a few factors.

Online security

No one wants to gamble on a platform that could expose them to attacks. And now that attacks are really becoming prevalent in this industry, you don’t want to turn a blind eye toward online safety. By the way, do you actually know that, according to experts, more than 70% of online casinos have been involved in security incidents just recently? You can imagine what things could be like in 2025, given that cybercriminals are ever-evolving.

But that should not leave you hopeless. Infrastructures like 2FA have really proven to be helpful. A popular statistic noted that this technology can prevent exposure to over 99.9% of targeted attacks and 96% of phishing attacks.

Other infrastructures that show a platform is secure include SSL encryption, firewalls and anti-fraud systems, among many others. Online casino platforms that integrate AI into their security efforts can also be good options.

Payment methods

You perhaps could be surprised to learn that GoCardless associates 30% of all churn to failed payments. As if that’s not enough, Testlio claims that more than six in ten customers likely stay loyal to brands with smooth, hassle-free payments. Assuming you were a game provider, would you ignore such a statistic? You probably wouldn’t because it would imply you don’t care about your customers’ preferences.

Similarly, platforms that pay attention to payment experience show they prioritize customer experience and could be worth your consideration. And one of the ways to guarantee this is by offering multiple payment methods.

That ensures that even if one fails, you have an ocean of other options to use. Plus, diverse payments also cater to multiple preferences. And, of course, if a platform goes a step further to localize these features, it can provide an even more engaging experience.

User-friendliness

Given that a single platform can offer even thousands of game variations, you want to use the minimum time to engage. But what about if navigating the platform becomes problematic? This can be frustrating, which only injures your gameplay. As such, a great platform will use features like logical hierarchy to improve the discoverability of games.

To further improve its friendliness, the platform will also want to cater to multiscreen consumers. And this is where the responsive design approach comes in. The website should work well even on smaller devices without needing you to pinch or zoom it. That way, you can always be sure of a great experience even when on the go.

Get started

Once you have examined these factors, it’s time to play. Most casinos will provide you with the option of either downloading their apps or participating instantly. For most platforms, you’ll need to sign up or register by providing some basic information like your name, email address and so on. Always ensure that these details are as accurate as possible.

This normally comes in handy for stricter platforms that may require you to verify your details. For instance, some may need players to upload copies of their IDs, passports or even driver’s licenses. Remember, gambling restrictions are becoming tighter by the day, and such measures can really help reduce fraud. Once all this is done, go ahead and fund your account.

Navigating the online casino lobby and playing responsibly

The casino lobby is where all the magic happens. You’ll find a wide variety of games, from classic slots and table games to live dealer games that bring the casino floor to your screen. Use the search bar or filters to find your favorite games, or try something new—many casinos offer free demo versions so you can practice before betting real money.

If you’re a fan of slots, look for games with high RTP percentages and exciting bonus features. For table game enthusiasts, check out different variations of blackjack, poker, and baccarat. And if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, live dealer games are the way to go. By streaming in real-time with professional dealers, these games actually make you feel like you’re in a real casino.

But, of course, we can never fail to mention the need to ensure you gamble responsibly. Since gambling should be done purely for fun, you may want to set a budget before participating. Good enough, most platforms actually have features like deposit limits and self-excursion options to help you with this.

It actually is true that a lot goes into making for a great online casino experience. But even before you start, you want to ensure the platform is secure and has several payment options. On top of that, it should also be user-friendly.