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Although the regulated iGaming market in Ontario has been a tremendous success, it is just a subset of the overall Canadian online gambling market. Much of the activity remains in the offshore (unregulated or grey) market, which still holds a large market share nationwide.
The Scale of Canada’s Online Gambling Market
Online gambling in Canada is growing at an accelerated pace according to a study. In 2024, the market earned a revenue of about USD 3.9 billion and it is projected that it will eventually exceed USD 15 billion by the year 2030. These numbers, however, encompass both regulated and offshore activity. It’s important to know how much of the market is beyond provincial control.
Offshore iGaming Operators: A Longstanding Presence
Prior to the introduction of the regulated model in Ontario in 2022, the Canadian players were heavily dependent on the offshore operators. These jurisdictions licensed in places like Malta, Curacao, or Gibraltar developed good brand recognition and customer bases.
Even now, offshore operators still:
- Appeal to Canadian players in various provinces.
- Provide large game collections and competitive incentives.
- No direct provincial taxation.
Market Share Realities
Although Ontario has made strides, the offshore market continues to constitute a substantial portion of overall Canadian iGaming, especially beyond Ontario.
The major causes of this are:
- Weak regulation in most provinces.
- Good legacy of offshore brands.
- International platform accessibility across borders.
Offshore operators are the default choice in provinces where there are no open regulated markets, and players want variety and competitive odds.
Major Offshore Operators in Canada
The offshore market share in Canada is dominated by several international iGaming companies. These include:
- Flutter Entertainment (including brands like PokerStars casino and FanDuel casino internationally).
- Entain plc (owner of bwin and Ladbrokes, a component of BetMGM casinos)
- Kindred Group (Unibet operator)
- Betsson Group
- Gamesys / Bally’s Interactive
These operators enjoy the advantage of a well-developed international infrastructure, sophisticated product offerings in live casino, sportsbooks, and poker, and brand recognition among Canadian players. Several of these operators have also entered the regulated Ontario market. This creates a dual presence. They operate legally within the province while continuing to serve other regions offshore.
Why Offshore Still Competes Effectively
Despite the expansion of regulation, offshore operators still have a number of competitive advantages:
Fewer Restrictions
The level of competition has remained intense here as offshore operators in Canada still have fewer regulatory restrictions than licensed platforms. This enables them to give even more aggressive bonuses and promotions, increase their product range, and become more flexible in their advertising approaches that resonate more broadly with audiences. Consequently, they are able to attract and retain players with a taste of variety and high-value incentives.
Broader Market Access
The other major benefit is that they can be used in all provinces of Canada without requiring a local license. Offshore sites can easily reach a national audience. Regulated operators, by contrast, are restricted to specific jurisdictions. This increased accessibility greatly boosts their player base and market share.
Established Player Trust
The years of uninterrupted operation have enabled offshore operators to develop a good brand recognition and loyalty among the Canadian players. These platforms are already known to many users and they trust their services. This familiarity makes them less likely to switch to newly regulated alternatives.
The Ontario Effect: Shifting the Balance
The regulated iGaming market in Ontario has begun to erode offshore dominance in the province by offering products of similar quality, strong consumer protection, and clear legal frameworks for players. The availability of over 50 licensed operators has increased the appeal of leaving unregulated platforms for users. Nevertheless, this effect is mostly localised in Ontario, with minimal spillover to other provinces.
The Rest of Canada: Still Offshore-Heavy
Other than Ontario, most provinces still use government-operated platforms with minimal or no competitive private market options. This has enabled offshore operators to have a robust presence in casino gaming, sports betting, and poker. The disjointed regulatory environment is one of the main factors that make offshore platforms so powerful in the country.
What Could Change the Market?
The future of the iGaming industry in Canada will largely rely on whether additional provinces will follow the Ontario-style regulatory frameworks. In case such regions as Alberta implement open and competitive markets, the offshore market share may decrease considerably. This would also facilitate higher domestic revenue collection and better consumer protection standards nationwide.
The Dual-Market Reality
In the meantime, Canada is a hybrid system. Ontario is a fully regulated, competitive market and the rest of the country a blend of government-controlled and offshore-dominated ecosystems. This two-tiered system allows offshore operators to maintain a robust presence in various provinces. Consequently, the domestic market is still split in terms of regulation and player conduct.
Outlook: Offshore vs Regulated
As of March 2026, the offshore market in Canada is still large, profitable, and highly competitive despite increasing regulatory pressure. Ontario has shown that a properly designed regulated market can effectively take a large portion of offshore operators. If additional provinces adopt this model, Canada may gradually shift toward a more unified, regulated system. Until then, offshore platforms will remain centre stage.
