Insights into Gambling Statistics in Canada: Market Trends and the Risk of Gambling Issues

We conducted an assessment of the landscape of gambling in Canada to provide an objective perspective on its current condition . The purpose of this study was to identify any potential links between gambling issues and the growing access to gambling options throughout Canada.

Market size

While online casinos in Canada While offline games still hold greater popularity, the sector is marked by consistent annual growth. In 2023, Canada's gambling sector reported revenues of C$15.44 billion, with online operations contributing C$4.94 billion to this total. Since the onset of COVID-19 in 2019, there has been a downturn in overall gambling revenue, particularly in offline segments.

Canada's gambling revenue from 2018 to 2023 (data sourced from Statista)

While initial declines were linked to the closure of physical gambling venues, more recent data suggests an increasing shift among Canadians towards online gaming.

Although revenue from online gambling has been on a steady incline, its share of the overall market has encroached upon that of offline operations in recent years.

A comparison of revenues from online and offline gambling (data sourced from Statista)

The shift in market share between online and traditional gambling is attributable to several factors:

• Closure of some businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a diminished share of the offline gambling market.
• A growing number of players are opting for online gaming instead.
• The overall income from gambling is decreasing as Canadians are gravitating towards alternative leisure activities.

Data reveals that Canada’s online gambling market ranks among the top five globally in terms of revenue for 2024, marking Canada as the fifth-largest in the sector. Meanwhile, the overall gambling market size positioned Canada as the fourth-largest worldwide in 2022.

Growth of Online Gambling in Canada

The expansion of the online gambling industry is evident, as consistent annual revenue growth reflects an upward trajectory. In comparison to 2017, revenue has tripled by 2023. Projections for 2024 suggest that revenue since 2017 may even quadruple, potentially reaching C$5.74 billion.

Yearly gambling revenue (data sourced from Statista)

By 2029, the market volume is expected to increase to C$7.82 billion, suggesting a projected annual growth rate of 6.39% .

Revenue from online lotteries is also on the rise, expected to grow by US$0.26 billion from 2023 to 2029. However, participation in these games is predominantly offline, making their growth less significant in comparison to sports betting or online casino games.

A comparison of the revenue from online vs. offline lotteries (data sourced from Statista)

For context, traditional ticket sales in Canada reached C$9.33 billion in 2021, whereas the revenue from online lottery tickets accounted for US$0.44 billion. Consequently, the offline market still dominates online sales , contributing to 95.5% of the total revenue in this sector.

The Number of Canadians Participating in Online Gambling

According to the latest available data from 2023, there were 30.3 million users engaged in various forms of online gambling. The legalization of sports betting has contributed to the fact that most online gamblers now identify as sports bettors.

Online gambling user statistics for 2023 (data sourced from Statista)

The legalization of single-event sports betting is a relatively new occurrence in the gambling sector, but its impact has already been significant. It marks a notable shift in gambling behavior over recent times. Let's take a closer examination of these shifts.

Online Gambling User Changes

The total number of online gamblers is on a consistent rise. The introduction of legal single-event sports betting in Canada in 2021 has led to a dramatic influx of new users. As of 2023, sports betting participants have outnumbered those in online casinos, a trend expected to continue in the years ahead.

Trends in user involvement across various gambling activities (data sourced from Statista)

In 2023, while there were 3.1 million more individuals participating in sports betting as opposed to casino games, revenue generated by online casinos still exceeded that of sports betting by 2.5 times .

Forecasted insights from Statista Market Insights suggest that the number of sports bettors will continue to grow rapidly by several million users each year, although this pace may gradually decelerate by 2025. Participation in online lotteries has also seen a modest annual increase, though it remains significantly lower than that of sports betting or online casino games.

With a notable 64.5% of Canadians aged 15 and above reporting that they had engaged in gambling at least once in 2018, it can be concluded that a significant portion of Canadians are interested in or enjoy gambling. With considerable disposable income available, Canadians have the means to invest in leisure activities like gambling .

Moreover, various studies indicate a relationship between gambling habits and income levels. To gain a deeper understanding of gambling trends in Canada, we analyzed spending habits related to gambling along with the preferred forms of gambling.

How Much is Spent on Gambling

Recent data indicates that Canadians spent an average of C$173 annually on gambling in 2021. It also shows a correlation between the amount spent and the household's financial situation.

Income levels and their influence on gambling expenditures (data sourced from Statistics Canada)

Data from 2019 reveals that the lowest-income households spent an average of C$111 on gambling, while those in the highest-income bracket spent C$256. This suggests that higher-income households likely have a more significant amount of disposable income available for discretionary expenses after covering essentials such as rent, mortgages, and utilities.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that limitations exist within this data, as individuals often underreport their gambling expenditures when surveyed. This tendency has been corroborated by the Lottery Corporation, which noted that sales of government lottery tickets have been underreported by more than 50%.

Differences in Gambling Between Genders

Traditionally, gambling has been viewed as a predominantly male activity, but as gambling gains wider social acceptance, the disparity is diminishing. Many stakeholders are striving to understand the preferences and habits of various demographic groups, including differing genders.

Analysis of Gender Among Gamblers in Canada (data sourced from Statistics Canada)

Statistics Canada data confirms that while men still engage in gambling more frequently than women — 68.8% of men compared to 60.4% of women reported participation in 2018.

This difference persists across:

• Various factors contribute to gambling habits, including age group (with the highest participation rates being 76% of men and 68% of women aged 45-65), marital status (73% of those married or in common-law relationships), and household income (71% of the top 20% income demographic are men compared to 67% women); also accounted are aspects like sexual orientation, ethnic backgrounds, indigenous identity, and immigration status.
• Interestingly, among the lowest-income demographic, participation rates among men and women who gambled in the past year are nearly equal.
• There’s one area where women outperform men — mobile gambling is more popular among female players , with 55% of them engaging in this form of play.
• Lottery and Raffle Ticket Purchases are Common Among Canadians

A report from Statistics Canada in 2018 found that out of 64% of Canadians who had gambled at least once that year, 55% of them did so by purchasing a lottery or raffle ticket . The low cost of tickets makes them appealing across various age groups, and the simplicity paired with the potential for massive jackpots likely enhances their allure.

Preferred Forms of Gambling Among Canadian Players

Lottery holds a dominant position in Canada’s gambling landscape. Among the most popular gambling activities are lotteries and raffle ticket purchases (51.8%), followed by instant lotteries (scratch-off tickets) and online instant games (33%). Following these, electronic gambling machines, table games at casinos, sports betting, bingo, and other forms of gambling rank lower in popularity.

A Detailed Examination of Gambling Statistics in Canada – Understanding Gambling Issues

Discover insightful statistics and information regarding gambling practices in Canada! This report addresses the challenges associated with problem gambling and general gambling habits.

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Gambling Statistics in Canada: Insights into the Market and Risks of Gambling Disorders

As the availability of gambling entertainment grows, particularly in digital formats, gambling choices are diversifying and enhancing . Recent figures indicate that online gaming revenue in Canada has seen a consistent rise in recent years, which has been accompanied by growing concerns about gambling-related damage .

• These patterns bring forth many inquiries. What drives the issues associated with gambling? Is there a link between compulsive gambling behavior, the rise of online gaming options, and the effectiveness of marketing? This article analyzes gambling statistics to answer these pressing questions.
• Current data indicates that online gambling is starting to overshadow traditional gambling venues, even though the latter remains the favored option for the majority of Canadians.
• Electronic gambling machines Canada's overall gambling market is recognized as the fourth largest globally, while its online gambling sector ranks fifth.

The amount spent on gambling is influenced by a person's income level.

Among gambling activities in Canada, the lottery reigns supreme in popularity.

Gambling habits are observed to be more prevalent among men and individuals from wealthier families.

Those from low-income families face a higher risk of developing gambling dependencies.

• A significant number of Canadians feel that gambling advertisements should be subject to stricter regulations.
• Insights into Canada’s Gambling Industry
• We investigated the Canadian gambling landscape to provide an objective perspective on its present condition . The goal was to explore the potential connection between gambling-related challenges and the increasing accessibility of gambling across the nation.
• Although the offline gaming sector still attracts more players, it continues to expand annually . Recent statistics reveal that Canada amassed C$15.44 billion in gambling revenue in 2023, with an online segment contributing C$4.94 billion. The onset of COVID-19 caused a decrease in overall gambling revenue, particularly in offline sectors, since 2019.

Revenue in Canada's gambling industry from 2018 to 2023 (reference from Statista)

While the initial decline was tied to the closure of physical gambling establishments, current trends indicate a notable shift towards online gaming.

As online gambling revenues have experienced consistent growth, their market share has increasingly encroached upon traditional gambling operations over the last few years.

A comparison of revenues from online versus offline gambling

An analysis of online and offline gambling revenue (data according to Statista)

Numerous establishments ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and never reopened, reducing the share of the offline market;

More individuals are gravitating towards online gaming instead;

Overall gambling revenue is on the decline as Canadians explore alternative leisure activities in place of gambling.

Forecast data suggests that the total size of the Canadian online gambling market will rank among the top five globally by revenue in 2024, establishing Canada as the fifth largest. In terms of total market size for gambling , Canada held the fourth position in 2022.

The online gambling sector's expansion is reflected in its revenue, which has been on a consistent upward trajectory, tripling from 2017's figures by 2023. Projections for 2024 suggest revenue could quadruple since 2017, reaching C$5.74 billion.

Annual gambling revenue overview (data from Statista)

Online lottery revenue is also on an upward trend with an expected growth of US$0.26 billion from 2023 to 2029. However, traditional lottery games remain more popular, making the increase less pronounced compared to sports betting or casino games.

A comparison of lottery revenue between online and offline platforms

A comparative analysis of online and offline lottery revenue (data from Statista)

The Scope of Online Gambling Among Canadians

In 2023, recent statistics indicate that the number of online gambling participants reached 30.3 million. Following the legalization of sports betting, a majority of online gamblers are now engaged in sports betting activities.

• Online gambling statistics for 2023 (data from Statista)
• The legalization of single-event sports betting, a relatively new addition to the gambling landscape, has significantly influenced gambling behaviors, marking a notable shift in gambling patterns recently. Let's analyze these shifts further.
• The total count of online gamblers is gradually increasing. The legalization of single-event sports betting in Canada in 2021 led to a substantial influx of new users. By 2023, the number of sports betting participants has surpassed that of online casino users, and this pattern is expected to persist in the near future.
• Changes in user engagement across various gambling activities
• Changes in user engagement across various gambling activities (data from Statista)
• In 2023, there were 3.1 million more players participating in sports betting compared to those involved in casino games, yet revenue from online casinos still accounted for 2.5 times more than that of sports betting.
• Statista Market Insights forecasts a continual rise in the number of sports bettors, with annual growth reaching a few million users, tapering off around 2025. Engagement in online lottery games has seen slight annual increases as well, although not nearly as significant as the rises observed in sports betting or online casino gaming.

With 64.5% of Canadians aged 15 and older reporting that they have participated in gambling activities at least once in 2018, it indicates that a considerable portion of Canadians either enjoys or is interested in gambling-related activities. A higher level of discretionary income in the country allows Canadians to allocate more funds towards leisure pursuits like gambling .

Moreover, various studies establish a link between gambling habits and income levels. To gain a more nuanced understanding of gambling trends in Canada, we conducted research into the amounts staked on gambling and the most frequently engaged types of gambling.

Data from 2021 suggests that Canadians spent an average of C$173 per year on gambling activities . It also points to a relationship between the amounts dedicated to gambling and the financial status of households.

Income Levels and Average Expenditure on Gambling new Ontario online casinos Income Levels and Average Expenditure on Gambling (data from Statistics Canada)

Statistics from 2019 reveal that households with the least income averaged C$111 annually on gambling, whereas those in the highest-income bracket spent about C$256. This suggests that after covering essential expenses like housing and utilities, higher-income households have more disposable income available for leisure activities .

It’s crucial to note the potential inaccuracies in such statistics, as individuals often understate their gambling expenditures in surveys. Research from the Lottery Corporation indicates that lottery ticket purchases tend to be underreported by over 50%.

Differences in Gambling Behavior by Gender

Traditionally, gambling has been seen as a predominantly male activity, but the growing acceptance of gambling in society has led to a convergence in participation rates. Many stakeholders are becoming more attentive to the gambling preferences and behaviors among different genders.

Gender Distribution Among Canadian Gamblers

Gender Distribution Among Canadian Gamblers (data from Statistics Canada)

According to Statistics Canada, men still engage in gambling more frequently than women — in 2018, 68.8% of men and 60.4% of women reported gambling.