85% of Ontarians Gamble on Regulated Online Platforms

New research regarding the progress of the Ontario iGaming industry was recently released one year after the market launch. The study showed that the transition of players from unregulated to regulated sites has been successful. 

The IPSOS survey discovered that 85.3% of gamblers in the Canadian province had used regulated online live casinos to gamble in March 2023. This is a substantial increase from the estimated 70% who had gambled on unregulated sites before the market's launch.

In Ontario, Canada, a pioneering arrangement exists between the Government, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and iGaming Ontario (iGO). The agreement makes it possible for private gaming operators registered with the AGCO and under contract with iGO to join the legal casino industry in the province. The market launch on April 4, 2022, has given Ontarians numerous safe gaming options while giving the province an additional revenue source.

Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, proudly proclaimed that the iGaming market in Ontario, launched in April 2022, has successfully supplanted the black market, establishing Ontario as an international leader in the sector. He expressed his delight in the robust, accountable, and competitive online gaming system.

Tom Mungham, the Registrar and CEO of AGCO, noted that the primary goal of the first year was to transfer Ontario gamblers from unregulated sites to the regulated market. He said this allows them to enjoy the advantages of playing on high-quality operators with game integrity, fairness, and responsible gambling protocols. 

"Although there's still a lot of work to be done, we're pleased to see such a substantial shift towards gaming on regulated sites so far, and everything that it represents for players and for the province," he added.

Currently, at least 45 gambling service providers are operational in Ontario. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has approved over 5,000 gambling games to be launched in the province.