Why Canada’s gaming industry continues to evolve

The way we gamble in Canada is transforming. Yes, there are still casinos and lotteries but now we have sports betting, casino games, live dealer games and mobile gaming. Technology and recently relaxed regulations have made it simpler for gaming operators to enter the various provincial markets.

Evidence from licensed markets has shown how much this industry has grown. iGaming Ontario reports that the 2024-25 fiscal year saw over C$82.7 billion in wagers from Ontario players. This resulted in about C$2.9 billion in gaming revenue, both figures up by more than 30% from the previous year. Clearly, online gaming is here to stay and is not just a passing trend like other digital innovations.

Provincial control means different gaming experiences

Canada’s gambling regulations are largely the responsibility of the provinces. For that reason, people living in different provinces will have very different experiences of gambling. The differences will also be seen in the levels of regulation and services available. New regulated markets for online gambling are changing the services offered to Canadian players.

The first year of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market provided a strong example of what was possible. The market launched with 12 gaming sites in 2022. By the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Ontario market recorded more than 50 operators. More than 2.6 million active player accounts were recorded and the market saw significant activity across all offerings, especially online casinos, betting and poker.

This success has also caught the attention of other provinces. Alberta has expanded its regulated online gaming market, moving beyond its previous single-platform model to allow registered commercial operators to offer iGaming in the province.

For example, when a user searches for TonyBet casino Alberta, they can now assess the TonyBet platform as part of a broader regulated system. Until now, users have selected gaming platforms primarily based on brand recognition and promotions. Alberta’s new regulations add market compliance as another factor to consider.

A new regulated market

This new regulated market has the potential to attract new customers to both gaming interests and gaming companies. However, the new market also has the potential to stifle the companies’ profitability due to the new regulations and conditions placed on the gaming companies. This balance between new market potential and the additional external regulations will undoubtedly be a major factor shaping Canada’s future gaming market.

Although there are limits put on the market, there are other reasons why the gaming industry continues to grow. The way Canadians interact with technology has altered how gamers and gaming service users interact with these platforms. Previously, users would have to go to the casino, betting venues or a lottery place to participate in gaming activities. Now, users can access the same activities

Mobile technology has made it easier to register, manage finances and control accounts, all through a single device. For the past few years, there has been an increase in the use of digital payment methods. This has further eased the challenges of accessing online <a href="https://comicvibe.com/paramounts-legal-struggles-and-the-entertainment-industrys-evolution/” title=”Paramount's Legal Struggles and the Entertainment Industry's Evolution”>entertainment.

Digital sports betting platforms have made it easier and more interactive by including real-time game statistics and other information. Users can now integrate their sports gaming activities into their online sports entertainment.

Easier access has made the following issues confronting regulators more apparent: how to protect underage and vulnerable users from being targeted by gaming advertisements and how to ensure that users have the ability to manage their own gaming activities. Frequently, controls such as deposit limit, self exclusion, age verification and other responsible gaming controls have become the standard offerings of the gaming industry.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Online gambling carries financial and personal risks. Participation should only be done on platforms that are licensed and regulated in your jurisdiction. In British Columbia, the only regulated platform is PlayNow, operated by the BCLC. Please play responsibly.

This sponsored content has been paid for by our sponsor and does not reflect the reviews, opinions or recommendations of the Times Colonist staff.