Ontario’s regulated online gambling market marked its strongest month to date in August, with iGaming Ontario (iGO) reporting an unprecedented betting handle of $8.14 billion. This total represents a 34.6% increase compared to August 2024, and only the second time the province has seen monthly wagers surpass the $8 billion threshold, the first being this May.
Operators generated $334.8 million in revenue, making it the second-most profitable month since regulation began in April 2022. The all-time peak remains May 2025, when revenue reached $338 million. The year-on-year jump is striking: compared to August 2024, operator earnings rose by more than 40%, reflecting Ontario’s growing role in North America’s iGaming landscape.
Player engagement also rebounded in August after several months of decline. Active gaming accounts reached 1.016 million, up from July’s nine-month low of 948,000 and 41.5% higher than the same month last year. On average, each account generated $330 in monthly revenue, nearly matching the August 2024 record of $332.
These figures highlight sustained demand across the market, where more than 50 licensed operators and 87 active sites continue to attract players despite an increasingly crowded competitive field.
Online Casinos Continue to Dominate
Casinos maintained their overwhelming lead within Ontario’s iGaming ecosystem. In August, online casino wagers surpassed $7 billion for the first time, reaching $7.22 billion. That total was 37.7% higher than August 2024 and beat May’s previous record by $273 million.
This activity generated $267.8 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for operators, marking a 44.4% year-over-year increase. Overall, online casinos accounted for 89% of the total handle and about 80% of market revenue, underlining their central role in Ontario’s iGaming growth story.
Sports Betting Shows Signs of Recovery
While casinos dominate, Ontario’s sportsbooks also saw stronger performance in August. Players wagered $765 million on sports, a 15.2% year-on-year increase and 11% higher than July. This equated to 9% of the total handle.
Sportsbooks produced $60.2 million in GGR, up 28.4% compared with August 2024. Despite sports betting’s smaller share of the overall market, these gains suggest improving momentum during the summer sporting calendar. By contrast, poker remained a niche category, representing just 2% of both bets and operator revenue.
Market Expansion and New Entrants
Ontario’s market continues to attract new operators. DraftKings broadened its presence with the Golden Nugget Online Gaming platform launch on 19 August, complementing its existing sportsbook and casino offerings. Earlier this year, Eilers and Krejcik Gaming ranked DraftKings Casino second in the U.S. market, reflecting the operator’s strong position.
Additionally, on 5 September, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) licensed a new entrant, Absolutebet, which aims to introduce localized brands with innovative marketing and technology. The addition reinforces Ontario’s reputation as a growing hub for international gambling companies.
The August figures underline Ontario’s continued trajectory of growth more than two years after market regulation began. Both casino and sportsbook segments recorded month-on-month gains, while player numbers surpassed the one-million mark.
Source:
“iGaming Ontario’s Market Performance Report”, igamingontario.ca, September 24, 2025
The post Ontario iGaming Market Breaks Records with $8.14bn Handle in August first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.