Key Moments:
- Ontario achieved an all-time high of 9.249 billion dollars in cash wagers in October, an 8 percent rise from September.
- Gross gaming revenue reached 367.7 million dollars, up 12 percent month-over-month.
- The number of active player accounts grew by 9 percent in October, despite a decrease in licensed operators.
Record Wagers and Rising Participation Define October
Ontario’s igaming market established a new benchmark in October with a total of 9.249 billion dollars in wagers, according to data released by iGaming Ontario. This milestone significantly exceeded the previous record of 8.54 billion dollars observed in September and surged well past the 7.45 billion dollars reported for October last year. The persistent upward trend highlights Ontario’s position as one of the leading regulated igaming markets globally.
Operator and Player Metrics
October’s momentum was further accentuated by gains across key operational and player metrics. Active player accounts reached 1,287, reflecting a 9 percent month-over-month increase. Average revenue per user (ARPU) climbed to 286 dollars, representing a 2 percent improvement. Meanwhile, the count of licensed operators decreased to 48 following the exit of Betiton, yet this reduction did not slow player activity or growth.
| Metric | October Figure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Active player accounts | 1,287 | 9 percent increase |
| ARPU | 286 dollars | 2 percent increase |
| Licensed operators | 50 (48 now) | Two operators exited |
Casino Sector Maintains Dominance
Online casino offerings continued to drive the bulk of Ontario’s igaming activity in October. Casino wagers accounted for 85 percent of all cash volume, totaling 7.88 billion dollars, a 7 percent rise over September. Revenue from this segment reached 303.8 million dollars, which amounted to 83 percent of total gross gaming revenue and marked a 9 percent increase from the previous month.
Sports Betting Activity Gathers Pace
Sports betting experienced heightened engagement, propelled by the ongoing NFL season and activity in other major leagues. Wagers for this segment reached 1.23 billion dollars, up 16 percent from September. Sports betting revenue climbed 25 percent to 58.3 million dollars.
| Segment | October Wagers | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sports betting wagers | 1.23 billion dollars | 16 percent increase |
| Sports betting revenue | 58.3 million dollars | 25 percent increase |
P2P Poker Prepares for Possible Expansion
Ontario’s Court of Appeal recently confirmed the legality of international liquidity for P2P poker and daily fantasy sports, setting the stage for local players to access wider competitive pools. October’s results for P2P poker showed a 9 percent decline in wagers to 131 million dollars, while revenue rose 10 percent to 5.6 million dollars. Market share by revenue remained steady at 2 percent, with the decrease in hands played offset by higher-value activity.
| P2P Poker Metric | October Figure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Wagers | 131 million dollars | 9 percent decrease |
| Revenue | 5.6 million dollars | 10 percent increase |
| Market share (revenue) | 2 percent | Steady |
Market Outlook
October’s data signals that Ontario’s igaming market remains on a growth trajectory, driven by casino dominance, expanding sports betting activity, and a shifting landscape for P2P poker. Even as the operator base contracts, player engagement has continued to accelerate. With policy changes underway and increased liquidity potential, Ontario appears poised for sustained momentum and fresh milestones if current trends persist.
- Author
Daniel Williams
