Number of players and gambling statistics

Introductory: why look at statistics

The Canadian market is Ontario's provincial model and separate open online market (private operators under AGCO/iGaming Ontario). Therefore, the numbers need to be looked at in two planes: Canadian-wide population engagement and Ontario operational metrics (active accounts, average spending, etc.).

How many Canadians are playing

Statistics Canada (CCHS survey) estimates that in 2018, 64-66% of adults reported playing at least once in the past year. This is the latest nationwide participation estimate available from representative surveys.

The StatsCan thematic note also records that among those who played over the past year, about 1.6% had a moderate-severe risk of problem gambling on the CPGI scale. This emphasizes that absolute risk indicators are small, but require attention.

💡 Regional updates show a similar order of magnitude: for example, in Saskatchewan in 2024/25, 58% of residents participated (over the past 12 months), while 7% of the adult population of the province noted online gambling.

Who plays more often: Basic profile

Historically, men and people 45-64 years old are more likely to play (StatsCan infographic), and lotteries remain the key product; land-based and online casinos, and betting - smaller but growing segments. Long-term studies note a decrease in the proportion of problem gambling from the early 2000s to 2018 (about 0.6% of adults with problem gambling in 2018).

Ontario Online Marketplace: Audience Scale and Spending

Ontario is the only province with a competitive online marketplace for private operators. iGaming Ontario (iGO) public reports provide rare transparency across real online audiences:

Active players (accounts): in 2023/24, the market totaled more than 2.1 million active player accounts (per year), with 49 operators and 80 + sites. These are not "unique people," but a reliable indicator of scale.
Average monthly spending on an active account (ARPPA): in Q2 2024/25 - $308 CAD/month per account (casino, betting, poker in total).
Market revenue (GGR): for 2024/25 - $3.20 billion CAD, + 32% year-to-year; of which ~ $2.4 billion form casino games (slots, live, RNG tables).

💡 Important: iGO publishes gaming revenue (GGR) and metrics by account, not net profit of companies - this is the industry standard for assessing scale and dynamics.

What products are "dragged" by engagement

At the country level, lotteries are in the lead (including Lotto Max/6-49). Online Ontario is dominated by vertical casinos (including live casinos), while sports betting and P2P poker are noticeably smaller in terms of GGR share. Such proportions are stable in quarterly iGO reports.

Risk profile and vulnerable groups

Systematic reviews and responsible play reports indicate a low baseline prevalence of problem gambling in the general population, but increased risks in certain groups (youth, newcomers, people with concomitant mental difficulties). This supports the trend towards stronger RG policies and marketing controls.

What the numbers mean for the player and for the market

For the player:

Lotteries remain the "entry point" for most. If you are playing online in Ontario, focus on the average market spend (~ $300/month. to an active account as a guideline), set personal limits below a comfortable level.

For the market:

The growth of online in Ontario is a consequence of the competition between operators and a wide library of games; at the same time, the regulator strengthens the requirements for behavioral monitoring and responsible play. Nationwide participation rates remain stable/moderate.

Key numbers "in the palm of your hand"

64-66% of adult Canadians have participated in gambling in the past year (CCHS-2018).

1.6% of those who played had a moderate-severe CPGI risk (StatsCan score).

Ontario iGaming 2023/24: 2.1 + million active accounts, 49 operators, 80 + sites.

Ontario iGaming 2024/25: $3.20 billion GGR (+ 32% YoY); ARPPA ~ $308/month in Q2 2024/25.

Saskatchewan 2024/25: 58% participated, 7% played online.

Methodological caveats (how to read reports correctly)

Population surveys (StatsCan/CCHS) provide the proportion of those involved and an estimate of risk in the general population. This is not equal to operational metrics (accounts, GGR).

Reports from iGO (Ontario) publish active player accounts (one person may have several accounts with different operators) and GGR (and not "net profit"). Compare within one technique.

About two-thirds of adults play in Canada, with the bulk in lotteries; problem gambling in the general population remains below 1%, and among active players, the proportion of moderate-severe risk is estimated at about 1.6%. Ontario's online audience reaches millions of active accounts, with an average monthly spend of about $300 per account and a steady vertical casino superiority in revenue. For correct comparisons, separate survey metrics and market indicators - and be sure to take into account provincial regulatory and RG policies.