Canada's iGaming Market Continues Rapid Expansion

Canada's iGaming market is experiencing rapid growth as provincial regulatory frameworks mature and more operators enter the market. Ontario's regulated market, launched in 2022, has set the template for other provinces considering similar approaches.

Ontario's first-mover advantage has been substantial: by Q4 2025, the province's regulated iGaming market reached CAD $2.4 billion in gross gaming revenue — exceeding initial projections. The market is overseen by iGaming Ontario (a subsidiary of the AGCO) and is open to internationally-licensed operators meeting compliance standards, with over 80 operators now registered.

British Columbia operates a different model. PlayNow.com, run by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), holds a provincial monopoly, but recent legislative review is examining whether to open the market to private operators following Ontario's lead. The same review is happening in Alberta where AGLC and PlayAlberta currently hold exclusive provincial provision.

Quebec has its own distinctive model dominated by Loto-Québec's espacejeux.com. The province's French-language Quebec Online Gambling Act prioritizes the Crown corporation, although the question of opening to private operators has been raised repeatedly in the National Assembly without major movement.

Canadian players are showing strong preferences for mobile gaming (78% of activity), live dealer experiences (notably higher engagement than the global average), and sports betting on hockey, basketball and football. Single-event sports betting was legalized federally in 2021 (Bill C-218), opening up Stanley Cup playoff betting that previously had to be done as a parlay.

Cricket and esports are surprising growth categories among Canadian iGaming customers, reflecting the country's diverse immigrant population. Operators tailoring their lobbies to include IPL coverage, Pakistan Super League and major esports tournaments have outperformed those running European-football-centric default lobbies.

Payment methods popular in Canada include Interac e-Transfer (the dominant choice for both deposits and withdrawals, supported by every major Canadian bank), MuchBetter, iDebit and Instadebit. Canadian players strongly prefer Canadian-bank-integrated methods over generic international e-wallets.

Wintino's dedicated Canadian section provides information tailored specifically for Canadian players, covering topics from payment methods popular in Canada to regulatory compliance and responsible gaming resources. Our Ontario, Quebec (in French), British Columbia and Alberta guides address each province's distinct regulatory environment.