Record Growth Across Gaming Verticals
Ontario’s regulated online gambling market reached its strongest month ever in August, setting new benchmarks in both wagers and revenue. The results highlight the province’s continued momentum across casino, sports betting, and poker since the introduction of its regulated framework.
Players wagered $5.9 billion in August, while operators generated $243 million in gross gaming revenue. Casino games once again led the way, with $5.2 billion in bets and $208 million in revenue. Compared to last year, wagers surged by more than 37 percent, while revenue grew by over 44 percent.
Sports betting followed with $553 million in wagers, up more than 15 percent year-on-year, generating $43.6 million in revenue. Peer-to-peer poker also posted growth, handling $109 million in bets — about 9 percent more than July — and producing $4.9 million in revenue. Taken together, these results place August among Ontario’s most successful months since regulated iGaming began.
Leadership Transition and Future Priorities
The record performance coincided with a leadership transition at iGaming Ontario. On September 8, Joseph Hillier officially took over as president and CEO, succeeding interim leader David Smith after the retirement of Martha Otton.
In a statement, the board of directors said:
“The board of directors looks forward to supporting Joseph as he leads iGaming Ontario to build on Ontario’s igaming market success and deliver on key priorities including an anti-money laundering system for operators, and a centralized self-exclusion platform for Ontarians.”
These initiatives aim to bolster regulatory oversight and give players more tools for responsible gambling. With Hillier at the helm, industry observers expect Ontario to expand further while reinforcing consumer protection. Moreover, the province’s model continues to serve as a blueprint for other regions exploring regulated online gambling frameworks.
