The business of play: How Ontario’s iGaming market is powering digital growth

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market transforms the digital economy, creates jobs and drives tech innovation. This article examines how online casino platforms contribute to the province’s growth

IN RECENT YEARS, Ontario has opened a new chapter in digital entertainment. By introducing a regulated iGaming market, the province has created fresh opportunities in technology, consumer choice and economic development. From job creation to innovative services and revenue contributions, the impact extends beyond leisure alone.

The Financial Impact of Ontario’s Licensed Market

Since its launch in April 2022, Ontario’s iGaming sector has grown rapidly. According to recent data, total wagers in the regulated market reached CAD $82.7 billion for the year ending March 31, 2025; a 31% increase over the previous year. Gross gaming revenue hit CAD $3.2 billion, representing a 32% year-over-year rise. These numbers show that the market is not just active but thriving.

Beyond sheer size, this sector’s economic contribution is substantial. A report from Deloitte found that in its second year, the regulated market generated CAD $1.24 billion in government revenue. Perhaps even more telling is the operating model. According to a 2025 iGaming Ontario report, for every dollar spent in the regulated market, an estimated CAD $1.40 in GDP was supported, up from CAD $1.14 in the market’s first year. In short, the industry is making a meaningful dent in Ontario’s digital economy.

Jobs Driven by iGaming Expansion

The iGaming industry has rapidly become a source of employment growth in Ontario. According to a 2023 Deloitte review, the number of full-time equivalent roles in the regulated digital gaming market rose to approximately 14,935 in the second year, up significantly from its initial year. Many jobs concentrate on technology, data analysis, customer experience, digital marketing and regulatory compliance. That reflects a shift in the type of roles being created: server and operations jobs and digital-skills work.

The requirement for robust oversight, IT infrastructure and user-support services means local talent is in demand. Companies are investing in Ontario workforces rather than relying solely on offshore resources. This gives the province a double benefit: leisure-sector growth and technology employment. A new layer of digital economy activity emerges in Ontario’s cities and regions.

Tech Innovation and Investment Across the Province

With rapid expansion comes innovation. The online gaming sector in Ontario has become a proving ground for apps, user interfaces, payment technology and interactive game design. Operators must meet rigorous standards and adopt advanced systems to remain competitive in a regulated, open market.

Competition drives investment and choice. Sites operate on platforms that require secure architecture, real-time monitoring and integrated responsible-gaming tools, all of which build consumer trust and technological capability. Additionally, advancements in mobile optimization, live dealer streaming, and real-time analytics benefit users and providers alike. These technological developments contribute to Ontario’s broader digital infrastructure ecosystem.

There is also a ripple effect across adjacent sectors: payments, cybersecurity, streaming services and advertising agencies adapt to support the iGaming market. By investing in Ontario-based talent and infrastructure, the industry is helping to build a foundation for future digital ventures beyond gaming alone.

Ontario’s Global Position as a Leader in Regulated Digital Entertainment

Ontario’s open, competitive iGaming market is becoming a model for other jurisdictions. The province’s structure is robust and resilient with over 49 licensed operators and 77 websites active in the second year of market operations. Other regions are watching how Ontario balances growth, consumer protection and innovation.

For adults considering digital entertainment in Canada, resources such as Casino.org provide general information and lists the top sites about Ontario-licensed casino platforms. These guides help clarify what features to look for and which dashboards to consult. These guides emphasize fairness, security and transparency rather than promotion, reflecting the Ontario approach.

Moreover, the high level of consumer participation in regulated sites underscores the model’s success. With most player activity occurring on licensed platforms, the province benefits from tax revenue and a strengthened reputation in the global digital-gaming ecosystem.

Responsible Play as a Cornerstone of Market Sustainability

Consumer protection is central to the regulated market. A 2024 Ipsos study commissioned by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario found that 86.4% of online gamblers in the province reported using licensed, regulated sites.  That’s a substantial shift from pre-regulation levels, when an estimated 70% of online wagering took place on unregulated sites.

Licensed platforms in Ontario must offer tools such as spending limits, self-exclusion programmes, activity tracking and transparent terms of play. These safeguards are crucial to maintaining trust among users, operators and regulators. Ontario has created a market emphasizing fun within safe boundaries by making responsible gaming a foundational element.

These measures reinforce the broader economic benefits: engagement remains sustainable when users feel safe and informed. Confidence in legal, regulated platforms helps divert activity away from the unregulated market and supports the province’s aim of maintaining a secure and responsible digital economy.

The business of play in Ontario is evolving rapidly and with that evolution come broader benefits: economic growth, job creation, technological innovation and a responsible entertainment framework. The province’s strategy to open a regulated market has yielded measurable results: billions in wagers, tens of thousands of jobs and a rising digital economy. For adults in Ontario, the regulated environment offers the chance to enjoy digital gaming with safeguards and a transparent system they can trust. In short, Ontario shows how entertainment can evolve responsibly and impactfully in the digital age.