Connect with us

Also Interesting

The Economic Impact of Online Poker on Canada’s Gambling Industry

Published

7 minute read

Canada’s online gambling market pulled in $2.64 billion in 2021, with nearly half of that coming from online formats. That figure grew to $3.1 billion by the end of 2023, reflecting the industry’s steady expansion. Meanwhile, offshore sites rake in over $4 billion annually from Canadian players, highlighting the significant outflow of gambling revenue to unregulated platforms.

In Ontario alone, online poker generated $11.7 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2024. Across the country, wagers on online poker exceed $100 million annually, a small slice of Canada’s total gambling market, which surpasses $12.5 billion each year.

Ontario’s regulated system has successfully retained over 85% of its players on locally licensed platforms, setting a precedent for other provinces. As a result, many regions are now considering similar regulatory approaches to keep tax revenues within Canada while ensuring a safer gambling environment for players.

The Role of Tournaments in Driving Revenue

Large-scale poker tournaments have played a pivotal role in shaping Canada’s gambling economy, generating millions in prize pools and boosting tourism. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit event in Toronto drew over 5,000 entries and awarded more than $5.5 million in 2024, further cementing poker’s economic influence. Similarly, the annual World Poker Tour (WPT) in Montreal attracts both local and international players, significantly benefiting casinos and the hospitality industry.

Online poker in Canada continues to grow steadily amid these live tournaments. Online platforms host major events with guaranteed prize pools that attract thousands of players. This dual presence of live and online tournaments reinforces poker’s financial impact on Canada’s gambling sector.

Employment and Industry Development

The expansion of online gambling has led to the creation of approximately 7,000 new jobs in 2023. From game developers and cybersecurity experts to customer support teams and marketing professionals, the industry has fostered employment growth across various sectors.

Additionally, investment in Canadian gaming studios such as Old Skool Studios, Zartek, and Pear Fiction has surged. These companies play a crucial role in developing innovative gaming content, ensuring a steady influx of new titles that keep players engaged while keeping revenue within Canada’s economy.

Beyond direct employment, gambling revenues support social programs. British Columbia, for instance, allocates $140 million annually from gambling revenues to fund community projects. Other provinces have implemented similar initiatives, demonstrating the broad societal benefits
of the industry beyond casino profits. Other provinces have varied approaches for distributing these funds.

Legal Framework and Consumer Trends

Ontario remains a leader in online poker regulation, with iGaming Ontario overseeing operations and maintaining strict compliance measures. The province saw $14 billion in wagers from 920,000 registered players in early 2023, growing to $17.2 billion by the year’s end, generating $658 million in revenue.

Nationwide, about 30% of adults are registered on at least one online betting site, with a demographic skew toward players aged 30 to 50 years old. Men account for 56% of users, reflecting a gender-based trend in online poker engagement.

With the growing acceptance of online gambling, provincial governments are increasingly considering regulatory frameworks to provide safer, locally governed alternatives to offshore platforms. Esports betting is also gaining traction, with expectations that it will become a significant market segment by 2025.

Mobile and High-Tech Gaming Expansion

The shift towards mobile gaming has redefined player behavior. More gamblers now prefer smartphones over desktops, prompting online casinos and poker sites to optimize their mobile platforms for seamless accessibility.

Artificial intelligence has been incorporated into several aspects of online gambling, such as personalized game recommendations and automated customer support. Additionally, blockchain technology has improved transactional security and payout speeds, ensuring greater transparency for players.

Looking ahead, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are expected to play a more prominent role in online gambling, creating immersive experiences that simulate real-world casino environments. These advancements will likely drive further engagement and attract a younger demographic of tech-savvy players.

The Economic Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its growth, Canada’s online poker industry faces key challenges, particularly regarding offshore gambling competition and regulatory discrepancies across provinces. Offshore operators continue to attract Canadian players, diverting potential tax revenue away from local
governments. Addressing this issue through a nationwide regulatory approach could help Canada maximize the economic benefits of online poker.

Additionally, the gambling industry’s relationship with responsible gaming initiatives will be crucial in ensuring sustainable growth. With the rise in problem gambling awareness, implementing more robust player protection measures and responsible gaming campaigns will be essential.

The future of online poker in Canada looks promising. As more provinces explore regulatory frameworks, the industry is poised for further expansion, bringing new jobs, increased tax revenues, and enhanced consumer protections. Continued technological innovation and tournament expansion will further solidify Canada’s position as a significant player in the global online poker market.

Conclusion

Online poker plays an integral role in Canada’s gambling industry, contributing millions in revenue, job creation, and technological advancements. With Ontario leading the way in regulation, other provinces are likely to follow suit, fostering a safer and more profitable gaming environment.

However, addressing offshore gambling competition and strengthening responsible gaming measures will be crucial in maintaining industry stability. As mobile gaming, AI, and blockchain continue to evolve, the online poker market will remain a key economic driver in Canada’s gambling sector for years to come.

By fostering regulatory expansion, technological innovation, and responsible gaming practices, Canada can ensure the continued success of its online poker industry, keeping revenue within national borders while offering a secure and engaging experience for players.

Todayville Content Team works with a wide variety of clients to develop compelling content solutions. Our experienced team develops strategic campaigns that use video and storytelling, digital advertising and social media to help our clients position and distinguish themselves in the market.

Follow Author

Also Interesting

Patterns of Play in Québec: How Smartphones Are Powering Online Casino Growth

Published on

Mobile has become the default screen for entertainment in Québec, from streaming to short-form video to bite-sized gaming. When I look at how people actually spend their downtime, it’s clear that the phone wins because it fits around life—on the metro, in a coffee line, or on the couch while a show runs in the background. In this post, I’ll break down why mobile-first habits are accelerating online casino growth, the features that keep players returning to their phones, and the practical settings that make play smoother and more intentional.

Why Québec Is Moving to the Small Screen

Phones shape behavior through short, repeatable “micro-sessions.” A spare two minutes turns into a quick spin, a side quest, or a daily check-in reward. This rhythm aligns with broader Canadian trends: internet and mobile use remain near-universal, and social-style engagement has trained us to prefer fast, thumb-driven loops. Reports tracking Canada’s digital life show high penetration of mobile connections and heavy social usage—both predictors of strong mobile gaming engagement. 

Design also matters. Modern casino apps and mobile sites lift cues from social feeds—persistent nav bars, swipeable cards, haptic taps, and instant feedback. The result is a UX that feels familiar even if the game is new. Hybrid monetization (in-app purchases alongside ad-supported rewards or subscriptions) also keeps the experience flexible for different budgets and play styles.

Signals From the Gaming and Payments Ecosystem

Canadian gamers are increasingly incorporating mobile devices into their weekly routines. Recent coverage notes that a substantial majority of players use smartphones weekly for gaming, reflecting the convenience of pick-up-and-play formats. That preference supports casino-style content, where quick sessions and event-driven bonuses are efficient.

Payments are evolving alongside play. The latest national payments research highlights steady growth in digital methods and mobile-friendly transactions, with tap-and-go habits extending to in-app expectations. For players, this translates into faster top-ups, robust device security options (such as biometrics), and fewer abandoned deposits.

The Mobile UX That Keeps Players Engaged

Excellent mobile casino experiences share a few traits. First, they compress decisions: big buttons, readable odds and win potential, and minimal required text. Second, they personalize quickly—surfacing “recently played,” daily streaks, or seasonal events up top. Third, they respect session length, offering fast load times, one-handed play, and clear exit points, so it’s easy to stop when you planned to.

From my own testing and reviews, the stickiest flows do three simple things well:

  • Surface momentum: Onboarding ends with a playable moment rather than a dead-end settings screen.

  • Simplify payments: Wallets remember preferred methods and confirm with Face ID or fingerprint.

  • Reward cadence: Progress bars, level-ups, and time-limited events make short sessions feel meaningful.

A Quick, Local Guide for New and Returning Players

If you’re exploring mobile options and want a single page that maps the landscape for Québec readers, start with a detailed guide to online casinos in Québec—it’s a straightforward overview of platforms, banking, and play considerations. The resource provides tools and comparisons that many readers find helpful, and it originates from Gambling Nerd Canada, a brand known for its practical breakdowns rather than hype. 

Privacy, Performance, and Control on Your Phone

Before a long session, think like a power user. Turn on low-power mode, reduce background refresh for nonessentials, and enable biometric locks for your wallet app. Use notification summaries so bonuses and reminders arrive on your schedule, not in scattered pings throughout the day. If privacy is top of mind, note the broader consumer shift toward privacy-aware browsing and app choices—an indicator that many users want speed without sacrificing control.

Practical Settings I Recommend

Start with a one-time setup and revisit monthly:

  • Biometric approvals: Fingerprint or Face ID for payments and account access.

  • Focus modes: A “Play” focus that mutes noncritical apps prevents distraction.

  • Data caps and Wi-Fi assist: Ensure stable play when switching networks.

  • Notification batching: Keep promotional pings contained to a scheduled summary.

  • Accessibility tweaks: Larger text and stronger contrast reduce mis-taps in fast games.

What’s New in 2026: Features to Watch

Mobile gaming in 2026 is doubling down on personalization and live-service content. Think dynamic events, social play hubs, and cross-platform syncing so you can pick up progress anywhere. Industry tracking points to hybrid monetization and more innovative analytics guiding these updates, which typically means more tailored offers and seasonal content drops. For players, the upshot is fresher content and smoother progression across short sessions.

Québec’s mobile-first reality isn’t about bigger screens or faster chips—it’s about how phones fit our days. Short, satisfying sessions, fluid payments, and personalized content make the experience feel effortless. If you dial in a few device settings and use trusted resources to compare options, you’ll get the convenience you want without the clutter you don’t.

Continue Reading

Also Interesting

When Chats Drag On for Months and Go Nowhere – And What to Do About It

Published on

We’ve all had that one chat: lots of jokes, some flirting, maybe even deep talks… and yet you never actually meet. Or call. Or do anything.

It feels like something, but also like nothing. Let’s gently call it what it is: a situationship in your phone.

Why We Get Stuck in Endless Chatting

Some common reasons:

● Fear of rejection if you move it offline.

● It’s a comforting distraction when you’re lonely or stressed.

● You’re both busy and don’t want to prioritize each other yet.

● One or both of you like the ego boost more than the person.

Here’s a quick pattern table:

Pattern                                                                                What’s usually going on

Lots of texting, no concrete plans                                       Avoidance or low real-life interest

Strong flirting, zero follow-through                                   Validation more than true intention

“We should meet sometime” on repeat                             Vague comfort zone, not real action

 

How Long Is “Too Long” Without Meeting?

There’s no exact rule, but for most people:

● 1–2 weeks of active texting → reasonable to suggest a call or date.

● 4+ weeks of frequent texting, zero effort to meet → something’s off.

If your “relationship” is starting to feel like a pen pal romance, it’s time to shift.

How to Move Things Forward (or End It)

You can keep it very simple:

● “I’m enjoying chatting with you. Want to grab a coffee next week and see how this feels offline?”

● “I’m not great at endless texting — would you be up for a quick video call sometime via online dating for singles?”

If they dodge vague excuses again and again, you have your answer.

 

Giving Yourself Permission to Let It Go

Ending a long chat connection can feel weirdly like a breakup, even if you never met. It’s still emotional energy.

You can say:

● “I’ve appreciated our chats, but I’m looking for something that can move into real life. I’m going to step back from this.”

Then mute, archive, or delete. And yes, you’re allowed to feel a bit sad and still know it was the right call.

Your Time Is Valuable

At the end of the day, your dating life is part of your actual life, not a separate mini-game.

You deserve:

● Conversations that lead somewhere

● Dates that feel safe, curious, and real

● Relationships (or explorationships) that respect your energy

Continue Reading

Trending

X