Investigating the Expansion of Wagering on Athletic Events within Canada

In the world of online poki games, Canada has been witnessing a significant surge in revenue and market expansion. The Canadian Gaming Association anticipates that Alberta's online gambling sector will become operational in the first quarter of 2026, joining the already bustling online games scene.

One of the key drivers of this growth is the increasing popularity of online platforms, which generated the largest share of revenue in 2024 and continue to show the fastest growth rates among all betting channels. In fact, during the third quarter of 2024, online games spending in Ontario alone hit an impressive $7.8 billion.

This growth is reflected in the revenue figures, with stock market growing 10% quarter-over-quarter and 25% year-over-year during the same periods. Market analysts project that these revenues will reach $8,757.2 million by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 13.6% from 2025 through 2030.

The third quarter of 2024 also saw a 22% increase in wagers compared to the second quarter and a 32% increase compared to the third quarter of 2023. Sports betting, esports, proposition and novelty betting made up $3.4 billion of total wagers during this period.

As the market expands, so does the competition. Fifty operators now run 83 gaming websites in Ontario, with mobile betting platforms and integrated payment systems supporting the market's growth. Notable new players in the online sports betting market include AdmiralBet, Billybet, Cashed, and Supabet. These companies, linked to international parent companies, could potentially enter Alberta’s regulated market when it becomes operational.

The growth in the online stock market today contrasts with the government-controlled systems in some other Canadian provinces. Ontario, however, operates under an open market model, which has allowed for a more competitive and dynamic market.

In an effort to regulate this growing industry, Federal legislators are considering Bill S-269, which would restrict sports betting advertising. The Senate adopted this bill on November 5, 2024, as part of establishing a national framework for regulating sports betting advertisements.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation maintains between 25% and 30% of the online stock market today share. Consumer engagement metrics show increasing sophistication in betting behavior, with spending patterns stabilizing around predictable ranges.

In Alberta, the introduction of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, on March 26, 2025, paves the way for a Crown corporation to oversee private operators in the province's emerging online betting space.

Live wagering options and real-time odds updates have become standard features across regulated platforms, adding to the excitement and accessibility of online games in Canada. The total wagers in Ontario reached $22.7 billion during the same period, reflecting the growing interest in this dynamic and evolving market.