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Canada’s position in the global online gambling market, how growth is accelerating

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Canada has emerged as a pivotal player in the global online gambling landscape. With Ontario’s recent legalization of online gambling, the country has set a robust precedent for managing and regulating this industry. The Ontario model demonstrates the potential of directing the market towards licensed operators, ensuring a safe and fair environment for players.

How is Ontario’s Gambling Market Doing So Far?

The iGaming Ontario (iGO) Q1 2023-24 report reveals a total wager of $14.0 billion, excluding promotional wagers. Between April 1 and June 30, 2023, the gaming revenue stood at $545 million after subtracting player winnings from cash wagers; this figure doesn’t consider operating costs or other liabilities. The period saw 46 Operators and 71 gaming websites engaged in trading. There were approximately 920K active player accounts in Q1,
but this doesn’t mean unique players since an individual can have multiple accounts. Each active player, on average, spent $197 monthly.

A majority share of the market was occupied by casino games (slots, table games, bingo), which contributed to almost $11.6B (83%) of total wagers and garnered $392M (72%) in revenue. Betting, covering sports, esports, and novelty bets, contributed $2B (14%) to total wagers, bringing in $138M (25%) in revenue. Peer-to-peer poker, on the other hand, recorded $350M (3%) in total wagers and revenue of $15M (3%).

Revenue by Gambling Type

In the previous year, casino games dominated with $28B (78%) of wagers and contributing $940M (67%) of revenue. Partly, thanks to offers such as the Wheelz casino bonus codes, this type of gambling is still the most popular. Betting, encompassing sports and esports, contributed $7B (20%) to wagers and $433M (31%) in revenue. P2P poker made $992M (3%) in wagers and $40M (3%) in revenue. For detailed Year 1 data, refer to iGO’s FY 22-23 Q4 & Full Year Report. iGO will consistently release market reports at least quarterly as part of its transparency initiative.

Legal Operators in Ontario

Operators like 888casino, 888sport, Bally Bet, bet365, BetMGM, Ruby Fortune, Slots Magic, and Spin Casino are renowned global players in the gambling industry. Some of these are part of the flourishing Ontario sports betting market, and others are casino-focused, but one thing is clear – it’s no surprise those are approved for operation in the Ontario gambling market. They operate in multiple countries and jurisdictions, upholding high standards of licensing and credibility. With a robust reputation built over the years, these entities have firmly entrenched themselves as trusted names in the gambling world, ensuring a rich history of excellence and integrity.

The Low Gambling Age in Ontario Is a Big Contributor

The decision to set the gambling age at 19 in Ontario plays a pivotal role in the expansion of the industry within the province. A younger age limit inherently broadens the demographic that can legally participate, tapping into a market segment that is often tech-savvy and more inclined towards online platforms. This age threshold, which is on par with the legal drinking age in Ontario, acknowledges a consistent approach to age-related rights and
responsibilities.

The Rest of Canada

Online gambling in Canada remains a topic of ambiguity and evolving regulations. The 1990’s saw the emergence of the nation’s first online casinos, albeit with limited offerings and regulatory concerns. Presently, the online gambling scene has expanded dramatically, encompassing a broad spectrum of games. The Canadian Criminal Code only permits gambling under provincial licensing, making intra-territorial online casinos illegal, but not
those offshore. Notably, Ontario pioneered a legalized online gambling market in April 2022. Each Canadian province has specific regulatory bodies and varying legal gambling ages.

In Canada, each province has specific online gambling regulations. In Alberta, 18-year-olds can gamble on PlayAlberta.ca, managed by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission. BC allows gambling at 19 on PlayNow, overseen by the Ministry of Finance. Manitoba’s legal age is 18, and sites must be licensed by the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation. New Brunswick permits offshore gambling at 19. Newfoundland and Labrador only allow lotteries, bingo, and card games for those 19 and older. Nova Scotians, at 19, use ALC platforms. Ontario recently permitted online gambling.

Conclusion

Ontario’s stride towards legalizing and regulating online gambling serves as an illuminating case study for other jurisdictions. By channelling the market to legitimate operators, Canada not only ensures the protection of its players but also positions itself as a leader in the rapidly growing global online gambling sphere. It also sets the stage for advanced players who want to put into practice the Ontario online gambling tips and tricks they’ve learned through the years.

Todayville Content Team works with a wide variety of clients to develop compelling content solutions. Our experienced team develops strategic campaigns that use video and storytelling, digital advertising and social media to help our clients position and distinguish themselves in the market.

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Canada’s Most Popular Sports By Region

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Canada is very sports-loving and multicultural and every one of its regions has its own sporting culture and fans. Read on to take a trip from Alberta’s ice rinks to Ontario’s basketball courts and have a look at Canada’s most favored sports region-wise, paying particular attention to Red Deer.

British Columbia

British Columbia is renowned for its love of traditional and adventure sport and although hockey is always a staple of the province, due to the Vancouver Canucks’ loyal fan base, BC’s natural landscape means that it is a haven for outdoor sport enthusiasts. Skiing and snowboarding thrive in Whistler, one of the world’s premier winter sports resorts. Soccer, mountain biking and hiking dominate in the summer, with Vancouver’s mild climate allowing for year-round sporting activity. Lacrosse, BC’s official provincial sport, is also incredibly popular, particularly at the youth level.

Ontario

While hockey has been a staple for a long time, with the Toronto Maple Leafs leading one of the NHL’s flagship franchises, basketball has become more popular, in part because of the success of the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors’ 2019 NBA title win contributed to the province’s enthusiasm for the sport and basketball courts are now common across urban and suburban landscapes as is basketball betting on Ontario sportbooks platforms. Soccer is also a big sport in Ontario, as Toronto FC draws large numbers in Major League Soccer. Baseball is also well-represented by the Toronto Blue Jays and a strong minor league system.

Red Deer Region

Red Deer, in central Alberta, is a sports hub with a very very rich sporting history in hockey, rodeo, and so many other sports. Hockey, in particular, is a very deeply ingrained aspect of local culture, with minor hockey programs that are rich sources of talented players for junior and professional ranks. The city also plays host to premier hockey tournaments that draw teams from across Canada. Rodeo is undoubtedly also a massive aspect of Red Deer’s sporting culture, with events like the Canadian Finals Rodeo showcasing the city’s strong Western heritage. The city also has a developing soccer and football culture, with local leagues providing development for younger players. Red Deer’s proximity to the natural landscape also allows for the playing of sports like skiing, snowboarding and cycling, making it a well-rounded sporting region.

Alberta

Two of Alberta’s very most famous NHL franchises the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have bitter rivalries in pro hockey history. Albertans breathe hockey because of the regional climate and overall sports enthusiasm for the winter sport. Alberta has a strong rodeo heritage and it’s commemorated annually through the world-famous spectacle of the Calgary Stampede which really draws thousands of visitors annually. Football is a strong point in the province as Albertans follow both the CFL Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders teams. The Canadian sport of curling has found immense success in all parts of Alberta because it is a major site for producing numerous national champions.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has one of the most ardent fan bases in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders being hugely popular. Football culture is so very much ingrained in the province that Roughrider game days in Regina and Saskatoon are city-wide events. Hockey is also ingrained in Saskatchewan sports culture and many NHL players hail from the province. Saskatchewan’s community rinks are always super full, producing top talent for Canada’s hockey pipeline. Baseball has a small but consistent following as well, with competitive leagues operating all summer.

Manitoba

Hockey reigns supreme in Manitoba, due in large part to the loyal fan base of the Winnipeg Jets and with the cold winters and competitive provincial community leagues, hockey is a Manitoban way of life. Curling is also extremely popular in Manitoba and has yielded some of Canada’s finest curlers. Soccer has really been increasing in popularity in recent years, and with the introduction of Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League, Manitobans have another professional team to rally behind. The province also really proudly boasts a strong tradition of ringette, with youth leagues growing annually.

Quebec

Quebec has long been one of Canada’s hockey hotbeds, producing NHL legends and featuring a rich junior hockey footprint. That strong hockey heritage in the province is evident in teams like the Montreal Canadiens, who have one of the most dedicated fan bases in the sport. Soccer has really also taken off in popularity in Quebec, with CF Montreal competing in the up and coming Major League Soccer in Montreal. The province’s love of individual sports is also evident, with tennis and cycling gaining more popularity with young Quebec athletes. Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are also hugely popular in the Laurentian and Eastern Townships regions.

Atlantic Canada

Junior leagues and community teams really define the hockey culture in the Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and the surrounding provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as well as Prince Edward Island. Professional basketball has become more popular in Atlantic Canada because of the Halifax-based professional team that competes in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Sailing and rowing are popular water sports in the Atlantic coastal provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

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How to play casino games online

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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.

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