Since the launch of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market in April 2022, the province has witnessed consistent growth in its online poker segment. In the fiscal year 2024-25, peer-to-peer (P2P) poker accounted for approximately CA$1.7 billion in wagers, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. However, revenue from this segment remained steady at CA$66 million, indicating a plateau in growth compared to other iGaming sectors.
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Factors Influencing Market Dynamics
The modest growth in Ontario’s online poker market can be attributed to several factors:
- Ring-Fenced Market Structure: Ontario’s online poker operates within a closed market, limiting player pools to within the province. This structure restricts the potential for larger tournaments and prize pools that are more feasible in shared liquidity environments.
- Limited Operator Expansion: As of early 2025, the number of active online poker operators in Ontario remains relatively small, with major players like PokerStars, GGPoker, 888poker, and BetMGM dominating the market. The limited competition may contribute to the stagnant revenue figures.
Ontario’s Rising Popularity in Online Poker
The substantial growth in Ontario’s online poker segment underscores its success within the regulated iGaming industry. According to Martha Otton, Executive Director at iGaming Ontario, this upward trend is due to increasing player engagement and operators responding to rising market demand.
“More players are engaging with poker each year. More operators are entering the market to meet demand,” Otton stated, emphasizing the sector’s expansion and attractiveness.
Potential for Future Growth
Despite the current challenges, there are opportunities for growth in Ontario’s online poker market:
- Technological Innovations: Implementing advanced technologies, such as improved mobile platforms and user interfaces, can enhance the player experience and attract a broader audience.
- Reintroduction of International Shared Liquidity: Allowing Ontario players to compete with international players could significantly boost the market by increasing player pools, tournament variety, and prize sizes.
- Enhanced Marketing and Promotions: Operators can invest in targeted marketing campaigns and offer attractive promotions to entice new players and retain existing ones.
Key Takeaways:
- Continued growth is expected due to increased regulation, security, and innovation in online poker.
- Ontario’s online poker market is North America’s largest ring-fenced poker market.
- Total wagers have exceeded $1.5 billion since inception.