Ontarians are investing significantly more in legal online casino games compared to sports betting

iGaming Ontario recently unveiled a more comprehensive analysis comparing different online gaming categories. So, in the following, we’ll discover how Ontarians are investing significantly more in legal online casino games compared to sports betting.

The latest statistics from iGaming Ontario (iGO)

According to the latest statistics from iGaming Ontario (iGO), the amount of money wagered on online casino games by Ontarians markedly surpasses the expenditure on sports betting. This insight marks the first time such a comparison between these two gaming areas has been made public.

Following the initiation of a regulated Ontario’s online gaming market in the province, which permitted licensed entities to offer a variety of services including casino games, sports betting, and poker, there's been significant interest in these activities.

The report from iGO — an entity under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario that oversees this regulated business — reveals that Ontarians made a whopping $14 billion in total bets during the April to June quarter of the last year.

The breakdown includes:

• $11.6 billion in bets placed on casino pastimes, according to iGO. This encompasses slot machines like Emoji Planet, both live and digital table games, and community-style bingo.
• Sports, esports, and various unique betting opportunities attracted $2 billion in wagers.
• Poker games, played among peers, saw $350 million in bets.

Together, these contributed to $545 million in revenue from gaming activities. In comparison, during the same quarter of the previous year — its debut period — the market produced $162 million in revenue.

While the figures from iGO did not specify the distribution of these revenues, iGO communicated that the Ontario government received an approximate $260 million portion from gaming revenues in the market's inaugural year.

This substantial revenue increase benefits both the government and private sector operators but raises concerns about potential gambling-related issues: Ontario recorded over 900,000 active player accounts in the last three quarters. This surge comes as online gambling platforms have been powerfully marketed since the regulated business introduction.

The Ontario government's commitment to safeguard consumers

The Ontario government is promoting the achievements of its gaming market, highlighting the efforts made to safeguard consumers and assist those struggling with gambling addiction.

Andrew Kennedy, a representative for the provincial attorney general, outlined that the province allocates $31 million yearly to address problem gambling, with $25 million dedicated to treatment programs and the remaining $6 million for educational and preventative initiatives.

iGaming Ontario has expressed its satisfaction with the performance of the province's online gaming sector, noting its expansion to over 40 operators.
iGO statistics mirror the industry's consensus that Ontario has cultivated a robust and mature market.

Experts stated that Ontario is now seen as a model for a successful market by other provinces and international businesses and there is potential for further growth in the Ontario scene as services are fine-tuned to meet wagering demands and customer relationships are solidified.

The industry consolidation might naturally follow the market's initial rapid expansion, a trend commonly observed in burgeoning situations.

Industry expectations and concerns

Recently, the introduction of single-event sports betting in Ontario's regulated market has been closely watched, especially regarding its marketing, connections with professional athletes, and concerns about the integrity of sports.
There has been pressure on sports leagues and broadcasters, both within Ontario and beyond, to dial back the intense marketing of betting services due to concerns about the impact on young viewers.

Final thoughts

The data from iGaming Ontario clearly shows that Ontarians are investing significantly more in legal online casino games compared to sports betting.
This highlights the enduring popularity and appeal of traditional casino pastimes like free slot machines, table games, and electronic bingo in the online sphere.

However, the surge in overall online gambling participation and revenues also raises concerns about potential gambling-related harms.
Moving forward, continued growth is expected in Ontario’s online gaming market as more operators enter and product offerings expand.

However, this growth should be balanced with robust consumer protection measures and responsible gambling policies.
Striking the right balance between revenue generation and harm minimization will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of this burgeoning industry.