Impact on jobs and tourism

In short: why the sector is important for employment and tourism

The Canadian gambling industry is a network of provincial Crown corporations (BCLC, Loto-Québec, OLG, ALC, etc.), land-based operators and, separately, Ontario's competitive online marketplace (private brands under AGCO/iGaming Ontario). In total, they support tens of thousands of jobs and form a steady tourist flow in key points of the country - from Niagara to Vancouver and Montreal. In 2023-2025 fresh reports have been published to see the scale: almost 15,000 full-time equivalents (FTE) in Ontario's online sector alone and large staffing clusters around land-based resorts.

Employment: Figures by jurisdiction and example

Ontario (iGO Online Marketplace)

An audit of Deloitte for iGaming Ontario showed that between April 2023 and April 2024, the online commercial market (excluding OLG) provided CA with a $2 contribution. 7 billion in GDP and retained nearly 15,000 FTE jobs in the province; of which ~ 2,675 are direct jobs with operators. The contribution to labor income is estimated at CA $1. 3 billion; total revenues to budgets of all levels - CA $1. 24 billion (including CA $790 million in provincial revenue and CA $75 million in municipal revenue).

Ontario (OLG Earth Projects/Private Operators)

New and expanded casinos are local employment anchors. For example, Pickering Casino Resort (east of Toronto) created 1000 + jobs at the start of the project and generated multimillion-dollar deductions to the city using the OLG formula for host municipalities.

Separately, OLG emphasizes the economic "wave" around its ecosystem: thousands of direct and indirect jobs, hundreds of millions in personal expenses and commissions to lottery retailers - this reflects the cumulative effect on local employment.

BC (BCLC)

The BCLC reports for 2024/25 also recorded payments to 33 host municipalities (CA $86. 6 million), and local employment - from headquarters in Kamloops to casino/center staff. These transfers are directed to local projects in the areas of social services, sports, culture and security - that is, they return to the community and support jobs in non-core industries.

Quebec (Loto-Québec)

As a result of 2024/25, Loto-Québec noted revenue growth to ~ CA $3 billion and net profit> CA $1. 5 billion Strong performance of segments (lotteries, casinos, online) supports employment in the network (Casino de Montréal, Lac-Leamy, Charlevoix, Mont-Tremblant) and expands the set of vacancies in the regions.

Saskatchewan: SIGA as a major indigenous employer

SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority) reports ~ 1,600 employees, with about 65% being First Nations; the organization steadily expands hiring and is noted in lists of the best employers in the province. Record financial indicators 2024/25 (GGR CA $378 million) reinforce jobs throughout the province.

Municipal payments → local employment

• British Columbia: municipalities receive ~ 10% net gaming income from sites; in 2024/25 total CA $86. 6 million - for infrastructure, sports, culture and safety (contractors, NGOs, institutions are also jobs).
• Ontario: OLG formula provides stable payments to host cities, while creating budgets for local projects and employment (Pickering's example above).

Tourism: "resort effect" and urban clusters

Niagara (Ontario) - casino as part of Turklaster

The Niagara region is one of the main tourist showcases in Canada/the United States. Official reviews record 13 + million visitors per year and ~ CA $2. 4 billion total tourist spending in the region; tourism supports about 40,000 jobs. Casino resorts Fallsview and Casino Niagara with concert venues and hotels are important anchors of demand in this ecosystem (gastronomy, accommodation, events).

The picture is complemented by regular data on neighboring Niagara County (NY):> US $1 billion in spending by travelers in 2024, 15,238 jobs in tourism - another indicator of the power of the cross-border and the role of entertainment.

Windsor (Ontario) - Caesars Windsor as a city-forming employer

According to regional economic bulletins, Caesars Windsor is one of the largest employers: estimates range from ~ 2,300 to ~ 3,000 employees, which puts the casino in the top 3 employers in the region and creates a wide range of employment in hotels, restaurants, transport and events.

Greater Vancouver (British Columbia) - entertainment hubs

Resort venues (such as River Rock near YVR Airport) pull the flow to concerts, restaurants and exhibition spaces, enhancing hotel loading and event agendas in the region. At the provincial level, this manifests itself through BCLC payments to host municipalities and local procurement.

Indirect multiplier: construction, events, suppliers

Construction and capital investments. The Pickering Casino Resort example (≈CA$500 million) illustrates how construction phases create peak temporary employment and long-term operational jobs.

Event industry. The opening of concert/event venues at the casino expands the calendar of tours and congresses, which multiplies employment outside the playing area (catering, production, transport, security).

Local supply chains. Purchases of services from local companies (cleaning, security, IT support, F&B) add a stable demand for labor and SMEs.

Online marketplace and "new" jobs

Ontario's online commercial sector is product and technology teams, sports trading, risk analytics, marketing, compliance and Responsible Gambling, plus outsourcing services (LCC/payments). That is why the contribution to GDP and labor income is so great: in 2023-2024. the market earlier than the plan exceeded Deloitte's five-year targets for jobs and fiscal deductions.

Important caveats and how to read the numbers

Do not confuse metrics. Reports of Crown corporations (BCLC, Loto-Québec, OLG) publish revenue/net profit and data on payments to municipalities; iGaming Ontario and Deloitte online reports - about the contribution to GDP, jobs (FTE) and budget revenues from the commercial sector. Compare within the same source and methodology.

Regional differences. In provinces with the Crown model, there are more "anchors" of employment on the ground (casino resorts, lottery network), in Ontario - another layer of online jobs has been added.

Business and Urban Policy Checklist

1. Plan with the municipality. Host payments (BCLC/OLG) is a co-financing tool for infrastructure and events that creates local jobs "outside the perimeter" of the casino.

2. Invest in events and MICE. Casino concert halls/convention centers increase average travel times and hotel occupancy rates.

3. Develop online teams. Ontario has already shown that product/technology and RG analytics create high-paying FTEs and a serious contribution to GDP.

Jobs. From 1,600 + SIGA employees (65% are First Nations) to thousands of jobs in Ontario online and large resorts, the sector creates sustainable employment in many regions.

Tourism. Niagara, Windsor, Greater Vancouver and Montreal are examples where a casino cluster enhances tourist flow, events and hotel loading; in Niagara - 13 + million visitors and ≈CA$2. 4 billion expenses in the region's economy.

Fiscal and local effect. Municipal payments (BCLC: CA $86. 6 million in 2024/25) and Ontario's online market contribution (CA $2. 7 billion in GDP; ~ 15,000 FTE) show how the gambling business fuels budgets and employment at several levels at once.

Together, this is not only entertainment, but also a stable economic ecosystem: jobs "on the site" and in related services, lively tourism and a measurable contribution to regional economies throughout the country.