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What Does Gambling Bring to the Canadian Economy?
Canada may not quite be the world power of its neighbour to the south but its economy is by no means insubstantial.
With a GDP of almost $2.1 trillion a year it stands as the ninth largest in the world, positioned between Russia, another close neighbour, and Italy.
Key sectors include mining, manufacturing and service industries. In recent years technology has also started to play a more significant part, boosted by government aid for start-ups.
There’s another booming area of business that crosses over several sectors and, in doing so, gambling competes with several other entertainment sectors.
The size of the industry
In 2021 the size of the Canadian gambling industry was $12.54 billion and it is currently showing an annual growth rate of around 12%. This puts it on a par with the film and television industry in the country, however this is not currently showing anything like the same rate of growth.
So we can expect to see an increasing gulf grow between these two very different kinds of entertainment going forward.
The growth of the industry can be put down to the fact that individual provinces are gradually starting to permit more and more gaming options under their control. In addition, the growth of online casinos and other forms of betting are also having a significant effect.
So who’s playing?
Looking into the figures, it throws up some very interesting insights. For example, it’s estimated that around 19 million adults in Canada participate in some form of gambling each year.
Looking at the gender split, men are marginally more likely to gamble than women with the respective percentages being 68.8% and 60.4%.
In terms of the minimum permitted age for gambling, the general rule across the country is that all players must be at least 19. However, as provinces are allowed to set their own limits over the activity in their particular region, this is 18 in Manitoba, Quebec and Alberta.
Digging a little deeper into the demographics, it’s households with higher levels of disposable income who tend to participate the most. However, there may be a few warning signs that the increasing interest rates and the rising cost of living may soon put more of a squeeze on this group.
The games people play
In common with most countries where betting is legal, it’s lotteries that are the big money-spinners in Canada. These are run by two organisations that cover the country, the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. Not only do the lotteries offer players the chance to win life-changing sums, they also raise around $1.25 billion a year in revenue for the government.
As already mentioned, online casinos and other forms of activity including poker games are also becoming more and more popular. As a result, an increasing number of major global operators are now offering their services to the Canadian market.
But perhaps the biggest change of all in recent years has been the 2021 ruling allowing betting on single sporting events. Canadians are very keen on sports whether it’s hockey, horse racing or football so now that many provinces are starting to permit sports gambling, rapid growth is anticipated.
Employment
Gambling also contributes greatly to the Canadian economy in a number of less direct ways beyond raising taxes and contributing to the GDP. One of these is in providing direct employment to an estimated 182,500 Canadians. What’s more, these are relatively well-paid jobs in the main with an average income of around $65,000 a year.
In total this amounts to a very considerable $11.9 billion in labour income.
This figure rises even further when you also start to take into account the many ancillary industries that also serve the gambling sector.
These are exceptionally wide ranging and include businesses across numerous specialisms. Examples include printing companies such as Nanoptix Inc. of New Brunswick who produce lottery tickets and the work apparel company Unisync Corp. which supplies uniforms for many of the 8000+ employees working in brick and mortar casinos.
Casinos themselves, and there are over 100 across the country, also provide business opportunities for everyone from food and produce suppliers to the energy companies that power them.
So, as you can see, gambling in its many forms has a very important role to play across the whole Canadian company.
As we move forward, this role is set to become even more significant offering revenue-raising opportunities for the government and employment opportunities for working Canadians.
Much will be fuelled by advances in technology and we can expect to see the online casino and sportsbook sector continue to grow and make ever-greater contributions to the economy.
And it’s also the fans of gambling who will also enjoy all of the benefits that this ever-widening choice will bring them.
Even though PlayAlberta is the only legal online gambling platform in the province, approximately 55% of Albertans access offshore online casino websites and sports betting sites. Multiple reports indicate that PlayAlberta only captures 25% to 45% of the Alberta iGaming market, and as a result, billions of dollars are flowing to international operators rather than remaining in provincial hands.
International platforms have gained a loyal following of Albertan players by providing what government-backed PlayAlberta often cannot. According to Esports Insider Canada insights, these offshore sites typically offer players more game variety, better bonus structures, and faster withdrawal processing.
The competitive disparity is so large that earlier this year, the legislature passed Bill 48, also known as the iGaming Alberta Act, to try to bring offshore operators under a regulated regime by opening up Alberta’s market to private operators. At a press conference before the bill was tabled, Minister Nally was frank enough to recognize the reality: online gambling grows in the province regardless of legislation, and if Bill 48 is defeated, that will not prevent offshore gambling from expanding.
Alberta lawmakers are taking action towards an Ontario-style iGaming market by 2026. Consequently, players still choose international sites, rather than the government-sponsored alternative. The offshore platforms are not a novelty. They have been working in digital shadows for years, creating loyalty through offerings that PlayAlberta can’t compete with. Despite attempts to create a friendly gaming environment in Alberta, the regulated platform has not managed to attract its target audience. It was supposed to be something safer, more home-grown. On the other hand, many players find it limited, constraining, or ultimately simply not as competitive as that which exists elsewhere.
Offshore casinos keep libraries of at least thousands of games. Their online gambling platforms feature popular online slots, table games, live dealer titles, and specialty software. In collaboration with leading studios like Games Global, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution Gaming, they bring to Alberta content that Albertans already know and love. PlayAlberta’s library, on the other hand, is still modest.
While it provides a decent balance of slots, table games, and lottery-style selections, its library is limited, and updates are infrequent. Additionally, for players who prefer novelty or the latest releases, the controlled platform is just too restrictive. This is one of PlayAlberta’s greatest shortcomings, pushing players to offshore platforms where they can get scale, variety, and content updates regularly.
The bonus imbalance worsens PlayAlberta’s competitive deficit. The provincial site provides welcoming bonuses, cashbacks, reload promotions, and exclusive offers to bettors for Alberta sports teams. Offshore platforms offer the same range, but in much larger quantities. New users of PlayAlberta who deposit $10 get $50 in bonus cash.
A player who deposits the same amount at an average offshore site can get a matching bonus of up to 100% of the deposit amount up to $2,000, with the addition of 200 bonus spins. The difference is stark, as pointed out above. PlayAlberta has asserted that responsible and sustainable play is important. However, against larger bonuses, the decision of many players is clear.
PlayAlberta recently unveiled a new, more colourful logo to emphasize its homegrown advantage. Its mobile app has been updated with a new interface design, including cleaner navigation and improved performance across additional betting verticals. AGLC VP of Gaming Dan Keene explained that PlayAlberta is the Albertans’ entertainment destination, adding that in order to improve overall player experience, app functionality will keep expanding. He was excited about how the brand has grown and developed over five years into a platform that celebrates the unique identity of Alberta.
However, these enhancements are not really competitive when compared to major offshore sites that invest heavily in mobile-first design. Their apps are lightweight, offer smooth in-game transitions, and come with customization options. PlayAlberta’s interface is functional, and supports digital wallet integration as well as responsible play functions. However, its customization and interactive features are still basic compared to other competitors worldwide.
The NHL has officially confirmed the inclusion of its players in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, following a 12-year absence that left the fans craving the excitement of the real best-on-best international hockey. The announcement is a historical event, as it goes back to the Olympic arena where the hockey powerhouse nations of the world will eventually be faced with their complete NHL prowess.
The ruling has not only shaken the hockey fraternity but also the sports fraternity at large, as it has generated early predictions, betting debates, and revived rivalries. Also, such large websites as GGBet, where many fans place their bets, have also been on the lookout, offering odds and analysis on which country will win gold.
A Long-Awaited Comeback
Since the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, NHL players have not been given the chance to play in the Olympics. The spectators have since witnessed world championships that, even though competitive, did not have the superstar appeal of Olympic hockey. This decision of the league in selecting the players to Milan-Cortina is a recreation of the desires of the NHL and the international arena to become one again.
The 2026 tournament will be the one offering the excitement, talent, and passion that will be fitting among NHL players. These legends, such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Leon Draisaitl, could play with young players like Jack Hughes and Tim Stützle – that sort of experience and youth.
The Tournament Breakdown
The event in hockey will take place between 11 and 22 February 2026, and the team count will be 12, which will be divided into three groups:
● A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France.
● B: Italy, Finland, Sweden, Slovakia.
● C: Latvia, Denmark, the US, Germany.
The teams will be playing three pre-elimination games followed by play-off, which will lead to the final match, and a gold medal will be given on February 22.
Slovakia is going to play against Finland, and Sweden against Italy. Team USA starts playing on February 12, and Team Canada plays against Czechia. The matches would all be at either the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena or the Rho Ice Hockey Arena, both in Milan.
Why This Moment Matters
It is not only entertainment but a legacy that the NHL has gone back to the Olympics. To the league, it reestablishes itself as the world body in professional hockey. To players, it makes their lifelong dream of playing in the national team a reality in the biggest sporting arena. And to fans, it revives the magic that made such moments as Crosby scoring his Golden Goal in Vancouver 2010 unforgettable.
Nevertheless, beyond the ice, such a move will make the NHL more global and strengthen the new generation of sportsmen. The Games of 2026 are expected to achieve a huge global following, whereby fans in North America, Europe, and other continents will be reached.
Looking Ahead
As the opening of February 2026 approaches, the teams are plotting, investigating, and preparing to contest a tournament that numerous people are calling the most competitive Olympic hockey tournament to date. The already existing dream is Canada vs. USA, Finland vs. Sweden, and national pride will clash against the NHL-type talent.
Final Thoughts
It is not a sports story, but a cultural phenomenon because NHL players are returning to the 2026 Winter Olympics. It is an embodiment of unity, excellence, and the unadulterated affection of hockey. The fans all around the world are eagerly awaiting the days when the puck will drop in Milan and they will be watching a show that has been 12 years in the making.
The tournament will not be remembered for the successive gold medals, but rather for the first face-off to the final gold medal celebration. It can be either your country that wins; it could be just watching the magic, but in any case, one thing is certain: the Olympics are back, and the game has never been this alive.
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