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Ontario is now one of the top five online gambling markets in North America, just over one year since the sector became legal. Ontario generated $1.4 billion from online gambling within a year, rivalling New York, New Jersey and Nevada—US states with solid betting markets.
Ontario-based casino players were eager to engage with legal sportsbooks from the start. Indeed, they created 1.6 million gambling accounts at Ontario’s 40+ betting sites starting April last year. These players then spent approximately $35.6 billion on bets.
Why is Ontario’s online gambling sector exploding?
In Ontario, you don’t need to own a local casino to earn an online betting license. What’s more, the province is open to licensing as many gambling sites as possible. So far, Ontario has licensed 40+ gambling sites.
These companies can acquire a license to offer sports betting services. Or, they could specialize in online casino games. Ontario’s open licensing model encourages a competitive iGaming market.
Of course, competition doesn’t favour everyone. A couple of betting sites licensed last year announced they would exit the Ontario market this year. Coolbet is a case in point. This Malta-based sportsbook left Ontario in April this year to focus on other markets.
According to Harisson Newton, co-founder of Bestcasinosites.net, a website that provides detailed reviews of online casinos in Canada and all over the world, “Ontario’s iGaming market has proven to be a tough and highly competitive space, but despite the challenges, operators have remained innovative and focused on delivering unique and engaging experiences for their customers.”
After Canada legalized single-event betting in 2021, most provinces launched government-operated sportsbooks. They did so to have full control over iGaming. Ontario took a different path, however.
It commercialized the sector to give gamblers access to a variety of betting options. As we stated earlier, privatizing the industry increased competition. Thus, it made it possible for Ontario-based casino players to access the best casino games and bonuses in Canada.
When you think about it, the best gambling sites in Ontario are all major brands. These are respected companies known for their reliability, fast payments and sweet bonuses.
Additionally, the most successful gambling markets in North America all share one thing—they’ve commercialized the sector. Take a look at New Jersey. It permits 33 gambling sites. And it’s the biggest online betting market in the US.
In jurisdictions where mobile betting is controlled by the local government, revenues are low.
One of the reasons Ontario is reaping big from its remote betting market is that it found a clever way to close down black market operators. Last year, the province invited every foreign gambling site with a customer base in Ontario to apply for a low-cost license.
This was an excellent deal. You see, some European casinos and sportsbooks like Bet365 have been serving the Canadian market for over five years. They have active customers in Ontario.
Applying for a license to operate legally in Ontario was a small price to pay. In any case, these brands have been the biggest beneficiary of Ontario’s iGaming laws. They already have a head start.
As mentioned, online betting isn’t exactly a new thing in Canada. Although the government sanctions single-event betting in 2021, Canadians have been gambling online for over a decade.
Provinces like B.C., Ontario and Manitoba have been running online casinos and sportsbooks for years. As a result, some Canadians have been using these sites to play their favourite slots and blackjack games.
With that said, the Federal Government has never stopped Canadians from gambling at offshore casinos. Most of them have been using Europe-based gambling sites to play their favourite games.
While Canadians have been gambling through offshore casinos, most of them have always wanted the government to regulate the sector. So, when Ontario legitimized these black market casinos with licenses, the industry took off immediately.
Lately, there have been calls for Ontario to ban celebrity advertising in the iGaming sector. Critics argue that online betting companies have been too aggressive with their marketing tactics.
They work with famous celebrities to push their brands. They advertise on TV and sponsor ads on Google and social networks. Advertising works, which is why remote gambling in Canada has been growing tremendously.
Beyond working with famous people, gambling sites in Canada are generous to new customers. They usually match your first deposit 100% for a maximum of $100, $200 or $1000.
Bonuses are excellent marketing tools because they add money to players’ accounts. If you want to play slots and have a $50 budget, you’re likely to join a casino willing to double your money.
The best casinos don’t stop giving players bonuses after the honeymoon stage is over. They shower loyal players with reload bonuses, VIP rewards and cashback programs.
Mobile gaming is worth $ 4 billion according to Statista. Over 10 million Canadians play mobile games regularly. This figure is expected to hit $13.67 million in 2027, at which point 34% of Canadians will be mobile gamers.
The growth of mobile gaming in Canada is directly linked to the success of mobile betting in Ontario. Nearly every adult owns a smartphone. And a significant number of adults in Ontario like to play mobile games.
Although not every mobile player specializes in casino games, the industry’s legalization in Ontario will boost the number of new players. Think about this. Everyone likes to have fun. And mobile casino games provide loads of entertainment.
Additionally, you can play mobile casino games for real money. Now, there are no guarantees of winning. And this means you should prioritize the fun aspect of gaming. But if you’re lucky, you could also win extra cash from mobile slots and poker.
All you need is to find a reliable mobile casino or sportsbook. Choose an app with bonuses to boost your bankroll. Then learn a few casino-winning tricks to enhance your success.