Ontario’s regulated iGaming market hit new highs in January, with total cash wagers generating $9.5 billion, up 21.4% year over year from $7.8 billion, a new monthly best since Ontario launched its market in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- iGaming Ontario reported that its total handle was up 21.4% to a record $9.5 billion in the province.
- Total non-adjusted gross gaming revenue totalled $402 million in January.
- Online casinos made up the bulk of total wagers, recording $8.2 billion and $309 million in gross gaming revenue.
iGaming Ontario's figures reveal that it was not only total wagers that increased year over year in January. Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) was also up, rising 22% from $329 million in January 2025 to $402 million last month.
Active player accounts for the month reached 1,326, up from 1,106 the year prior, while average revenue per active player account (ARPPA) came in at $303, up from $297.
Online casinos made up the bulk of the market, taking an 86% market share for total wagers, rising from $6.5 billion to $8.2 billion, a year-over-year increase of 25.6%. For NAGGR, online casinos rose 33.8% year over year, from $231 million to $309 million, accounting for 77% of the market.
Online betting and peer-to-peer poker made up the remainder of the market, with betting generating $1.2 billion in total wagers, stable compared to January 2025, and accounting for 12% of the market. Poker made up 2% of the overall market, rising from $146 million to $156 million.
For NAGGR, online betting recorded $87 million, down 5.4% year over year from $92 million, accounting for 22% of the market. Poker rounded up the numbers with a 1% market share, with NAGGR rising slightly from $5.6 million to $5.9 million.
Compared to December 2025, total wagers remained relatively stable, only topping the previous figure by $20 million. Total NAGGR was down, however, reporting a 6% decline from $425 million.
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Alberta launch may come earlier than expected
While Ontario continues to succeed, Alberta is soon to enjoy its own regulated market, with an expected launch later this year.
Alberta’s government released the framework for its anticipated market earlier in the year, with the state’s current gambling regulator, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, publishing its Standards & Requirements for Internet Gaming.
The regulatory framework notes that a new iGaming authority, the Alberta iGaming Corporation, will be established, and it clarifies who exactly can apply for a license in the province - “operators” and “goods or services suppliers.”
Bidding operators will be required to pay a one-time application fee of $50,000, plus an additional yearly registration fee of $150,000, compared to suppliers, who must pay a $15,000 annual registration fee.
It was previously expected that the iGaming market would launch in the latter half of 2026, but gambling operator Super Group revealed in its latest financial guidance report that it expects Alberta’s iGaming market to go live in Q2, meaning a potential launch in either April, May, or June.
