Ontario’s regulated online gambling market delivered its strongest performance to date in October, marking the third straight month of record-setting growth in player spending and operator revenue. Fresh data released by iGaming Ontario shows that the province’s ecosystem—spanning online casinos, sports wagering, and poker—generated unprecedented activity as seasonal sports action and expanding player engagement pushed the market to new highs.
Consumers in Ontario wagered a combined CAD $9.25 billion during October, topping the previous record of $8.55 billion set in September and surpassing last year’s October total by 24%. This level of activity also represents an 8% increase from the prior month, continuing the market’s strong upward trajectory. As noted in the financial release, “Total cash wagers for last month came in at CAD $9.249 billion, up 8% from the previous month.”
Online casino gaming remained the dominant force behind Ontario’s rising totals. Players placed nearly $7.9 billion in online casino wagers—representing approximately 85% of all activity—while generating $303.8 million in associated revenue. Both figures reflect noticeable month-over-month gains as casino products continued to lead the province’s digital gaming landscape by a wide margin.
Sports bettors also demonstrated heightened interest throughout October. With NFL, NBA, and NHL seasons in full swing—and fueled by the Toronto Blue Jays’ deep postseason run—sports wagering climbed to $1.23 billion. This marked a 16% jump compared to September and one of the highest totals the market has recorded since its April 2022 launch.
Despite Betting Boom, Sportsbook Revenue Faces Pressure
While betting volume increased sharply, sportsbook revenue did not follow the same upward curve. Operators posted CAD $58.3 million in sports betting revenue for the month, a figure consistent with official reporting that the market saw “a 25% increase from September.” However, compared to the prior October, this total represented a year-over-year decline.
The discrepancy between wagering volume and operator revenue can be traced to the Blue Jays’ playoff performance. Bettors capitalized on Toronto’s strong postseason showing before the team fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game World Series, contributing to a lower-than-usual sportsbook hold. Market reports highlighted that the hold rate came in at just 4.7%, underscoring how player-friendly outcomes reduced operator profitability despite elevated betting activity.
Player Participation Climbs as Poker Awaits New Opportunities
October also saw continued expansion in player involvement across Ontario’s licensed platforms. Active player accounts surged to approximately 1.29 million, representing a 36% year-over-year expansion and a 9% increase from September. The average revenue per active account reached $286, reflecting modest month-over-month growth.
Online poker logged $131 million in wagers during October, matching the totals reported by both iGaming Ontario and recent industry analyses. Despite a 9% month-over-month dip in spending, poker revenue still rose 10% to reach $5.6 million. As one source noted, “P2P poker did CAD $131 million in wagers… Revenues were at CAD $5.6 million, a 10% increase.”
A significant legal shift may soon reshape Ontario’s poker and daily fantasy sports markets. In a pivotal ruling, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that the province can allow international liquidity for peer-to-peer play. This would enable players to compete in larger, cross-border pools—something the industry has long sought. Analysts expect revenue opportunities in poker and DFS to grow once operators integrate these expanded capabilities.
With October’s performance establishing new benchmarks across nearly every category, Ontario’s iGaming sector appears poised for continued momentum heading into the next year as player activity and regulatory evolution further shape the market.
