Ontario's iGaming Market Closes 2025 on a High Note, Surpassing $4 Billion in Annual Revenue
Ontario's regulated iGaming market solidified its position as a North American leader, closing the 2025 fiscal year with unprecedented financial results. According to the latest report from iGaming Ontario (iGO), the province generated a staggering $425.4 million in revenue from online gambling in December alone—a 57.7% surge compared to the same month last year.
The December figures propelled the annual total for 2025 to over $4 billion, a milestone that underscores the rapid maturation of the market since its launch. The total amount wagered (handle) in December also reached a new monthly peak of $9.5 billion, reflecting intense consumer engagement.
Casinos Drive Growth as Poker Seeks Solutions
Online casinos were the undisputed engine of growth, contributing $320.5 million, or over 75%, of December's total revenue. This segment has now posted two consecutive months above the $300 million threshold. In contrast, the peer-to-peer poker market continues to face headwinds, generating a modest $5.8 million. Industry analysts point to the need for a larger player pool to revitalize the game.
A potential solution is on the horizon. A landmark November ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal paves the way for the province's regulated sites to legally connect players with international counterparts. Such liquidity-sharing agreements, similar to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in the U.S., are seen as critical for poker and daily fantasy sports to thrive.
Market Resilience and Consumer Trends
With approximately 1.28 million active player accounts in December—a significant increase from 1.03 million in December 2024—the market's user base is expanding. More notably, the average revenue per player jumped to $334, indicating that existing users are spending more. This robust growth in Ontario stands in stark contrast to recent reports of plateauing online casino expansion in several mature U.S. markets.
Stakeholder Reactions
"These numbers are a testament to a well-regulated, competitive market that prioritizes consumer choice and safety," commented Michael Thorne, a financial analyst specializing in the gaming sector. "The year-over-year growth is sustainable, driven by product innovation and responsible marketing."
Community advocate Sarah Chen offered a more cautious perspective: "While the economic benefits are clear, we must double down on support systems. A 27% increase in spending per player is a red flag, not just a statistic. We need to see proportional investments in problem gambling prevention woven into this success story."
"It's a gold rush, plain and simple," argued David Fletcher, a sharp-tongued political commentator. "The government is addicted to this revenue stream, conveniently looking past the social wreckage it funds. Celebrating billions generated from addiction is a grotesque metric for success."
Industry insider Priya Sharma, a product lead for a major operator, highlighted the strategic outlook: "The focus now shifts to sophistication—personalization, safer gambling tools, and exploring those cross-border partnerships. The court ruling is a game-changer for niche offerings like poker."
This report includes analysis based on data originally published by iGaming Ontario.