Odds are changing: Canadian sports betting handles hit record highs in 2025

Canada's online betting industry has really taken off, especially with Ontario's open-market strategy leading the way. In 2025, some incredible wagering volumes broke financial records and highlighted a big shift in how Canadians are spending their cash.

The Canadian gambling industry has really changed, moving from a niche hobby to a major money-maker. Thanks to some smart regulatory changes in Ontario, legal sports betting and online gaming took off in 2025, smashing all previous records. This impressive growth shows that the government’s planning worked, people are super interested in betting on everything from hockey to baseball, and there's a big shift towards faster and more advanced betting options. The enormous scale of the money flowing through regulated channels signals strong consumer confidence in the new environment.

Canada's record-breaking betting scorecard

The sheer size of Canadian iGaming is now unmistakable. Financial data from the regulated sector, anchored by the dominant Ontario market, reveals a flurry of activity in 2025. The total amount of money wagered online, the handle, reached an astonishing high. Ontario recorded a staggering $7.56 billion in total online wagers placed in July 2025 alone. That substantial figure marks a 24% increase compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating how quickly consumers are moving into the legal market.

More betting volume means much bigger profits for the operators. Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for July 2025 hit $311 million, representing a strong 29% increase year-over-year. Operator revenue is actually growing faster than the handle, a key signal the market is finding better margins. Player metrics back this up. Although the number of active accounts saw a slight dip, the average revenue per active player soared 8% to $328 in July. Revenue is clearly being concentrated among more engaged players and better-performing products.

Ontario’s success is now the central blueprint for national market projections. Experts forecast that regulated sports betting revenue across the entire country will hit C$2.00 billion by 2026. Looking further ahead, the Canadian sports betting market is expected to keep its high-growth trajectory. These established successes are quickly positioning Canada as a major player in North American gambling.

The regulatory model and open markets

The record handles are a direct result of the regulatory framework provinces chose after the 2021 legalization of single-game betting. Ontario chose a highly competitive, open-market system featuring a moderate tax rate for operators. Calculated fiscal moderation allows platforms to offer competitive margins, leading to strong revenue capture within the provincial ecosystem.

Consumers also get a huge regulatory perk that makes legal betting attractive in Canada: winnings are tax-free if wagering is not the bettor's primary job. Contrast that with regulated U.S. markets, where bettors get hit with state and federal tax obligations on their winnings. The tax-free nature of Canadian winnings directly encourages people to participate in the legal, compliant market.

The struggles of provinces sticking to the old government monopoly model really highlight the need for regulatory alignment. In Alberta, for instance, the government-owned operator, Play Alberta, captures only about 20% of the province's total sports betting market. Ontario’s definitive financial results have given politicians the economic proof needed for regulatory change. Facing substantial revenue differences, Alberta is widely expected to adopt the open-market model, possibly as early as the first quarter of 2026.

The casino engine room funding the sports excitement

While sports betting gets all the headlines, the real money driving the record handle comes from the high-margin online casino sector. A detailed look at the financial breakdown confirms a huge revenue gap. Online casino products, beloved for their variety and accessibility, accounted for an overwhelming 81% of all online gambling revenue in Ontario, generating $252.3 million in July 2025. Sports wagering revenue, by comparison, was a smaller slice, accounting for only 17% of the total, at $52.7 million.

Consumers spent 89% of all money bet online ($6.74 billion) on online casino games. The massive Gross Gaming Revenue derived from these highly popular online casino products is what's used to pay for the entire platform infrastructure. Expenses covered include expensive customer acquisition campaigns and the advanced, high-cost technology required for dynamic sports wagering. To better understand the types of exciting products driving this revenue, you can explore some new casino bonuses on onlinecasino.ca. The casino segment is, without question, the essential financial engine, supporting the entire industry.

Winning teams and micro-betting driving volume

High-profile domestic team performance is a direct fuel for wagering volume. The Toronto Blue Jays provided a major, sustained shot of excitement throughout the 2025 baseball season. The Blue Jays locked in a huge contract extension for Home Run Derby record-holder Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which really boosted everyone's confidence in their long-term success. By late in the 2025 season, the team was performing exceptionally well, ultimately tying for the best record in the American League and leading to a significant uptick in late-season betting. 

On the ice, hockey is still a big deal for fans and bettors alike. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs were packed with action, especially with the Edmonton Oilers making a strong run to the Stanley Cup Final. Looking back at Game 4 of the playoffs, the Oilers had a strong 56% chance of winning against the Dallas Stars, a confidence that was reflected by the tight moneyline odds of +122 for Edmonton and -142 for Dallas. Predictive models also calculated that the over/under total of 6.5 goals had a slightly better than even chance, 54%, of staying under that mark, providing specific transactional appeal to the game.

Technology and the future of wagering

The growth in the 2025 betting industry is driven by new tech that makes it easier to place bets more frequently and with greater detail. Today’s sports betting requires quick, real-time data to keep things moving, allowing operators to provide live odds that change on the fly and create exciting in-play experiences that keep bettors engaged from start to finish.

Having a ton of fast-paced betting options is essential for meeting the demand for in-play wagers. Plus, platforms need to focus on delivering a top-notch user experience and flexibility. Rolling out mobile apps for iGaming is a must, as they boost user engagement with handy features like easy log-ins and notifications for updates, making betting a breeze. For the market to stay strong in the long run, it has to find ways to profit from high transaction volumes while always staying innovative.