Canada
White paper from PlayCanada.com projects Canada could mature into $2 billion-a-year sports betting market
The Canadian legal sports betting market could eventually generate $25 billion in retail and online wagering annually in a best-case scenario that would include legalization of single-game wagering in every province and territory, according to a white paper authored by PlayCanada, a leading source for news and analysis of the fledgling Canadian gaming market.
Co-authored by Eric Ramsey, Dustin Gouker, and Robyn McNeil for the Play Network of sites, which includes PlayCanada, âLegal Sports Betting in Canada: A preliminary analysis of the prospects of single-game wageringâ explores the nuances of a market that could begin to launch before the end of 2021. Once mature, the Canadian market âcould generate billions of dollars of gross proceeds and hundreds of millions in taxes and fees annually,â Ramsey wrote.
âLike the U.S., the Canadian market will be decentralized, leaving each province and territory to adopt legal sports betting and then create their own regulatory frameworks,â said Gouker, lead analyst for the Play Network and PlayCanada.com. âBecause of that decentralization, many questions remain about what the Canadian market will look like once it has been built out. It is safe to say that at the moment sportsbooks view Canada as one of the largest single remaining opportunities in North America.â
Earlier this year, parliament voted to lift the federal ban on single-game wagering, which dated back to the 1960s. Like in the U.S., where a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 paved the way for states to legalize sports betting individually, the Canadian Parliament opened the door for territories and provinces to regulate single-event sports betting on their own.
But because the majority of U.S. states have since legalized and regulated sports betting, and Canada had already long been home to a thriving âgray marketâ of offshore sportsbooks, it is possible to project where the Canadian market is headed, Ramsey argues.
Some of what can be expected by the third full year:
- The entire Canadian market could generate as much as $25 billion in wagering annually, more than 80% of which would come through online sportsbook operators.
- Those bets would mean more than $2 billion operator revenue, and depending on regulatory structures, between $200 million and $400 million in annual tax revenue.
- Ontario would be the most prized Canadian market, with a potential to generate $11.1 billion in wagering and more than $800 million in operator revenue annually. That would make it one of the largest markets in North America.
Even if every province adopts single-game wagering, the regulators in each will have to answer important questions about how to structure the market. That includes whether to create an open market, where numerous sportsbooks can openly compete with one another, similar to Nevada and New Jersey. Or regulators could adopt a closed model, where the province limits the number of operators in return for a revenue sharing agreement that more directly benefits the government.
As the U.S. has shown, the decision can have far-reaching effects on how an individual market performs.
âCanada will be home to both open and closed markets, but in the U.S., open markets offer broader benefits for the state and its consumers,â said Robyn McNeil, expert on the Canadian market for PlayCanada.com. âThe tradeoff is that closed markets tend to return a larger percentage of revenue to the government. That makes closed markets appealing for policymakers, even if it slows the development of the industry.â
For more on the Canadian sports betting market or to download the executive summary and full white paper, visit PlayCanada.com.
ToonieBet, Soft2Betâs flagship online casino and sportsbook for Ontario, has officially launched its sportsbook on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The platform is tailored specifically for local players, offering a dynamic betting experience with a broad range of sports events and competitive odds. The platform also features personalised promotions and loyalty rewards designed to match the preferences of Ontarioâs diverse betting community.
The sportsbook uses official data feeds, ensuring players have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information on top local and international sports events. Additionally, the platform offers live broadcasting with real-time match analytics, allowing users to make informed betting decisions as events unfold. Integrated with MEGA and advanced player account management features, the operator is committed to delivering a seamless and responsible gaming environment that enhances the overall player experience while supporting local sports initiatives.
As part of this launch, the platform has also introduced a Sportsbook section on its official website, expanding its portfolio and bringing more choice to its growing customer base. With access to over 85,000 live events each month and more than 70,000 pre-match events across a wide range of sports, players now have even more ways to bet on what they love. Soft2Betâs Canadian brand invites all players to explore its standout online casino and the full spectrum of sports betting, all delivered through a fast, secure, and fully localised platform.
âSince its debut at the end of 2024, ToonieBet has offered a fast, fair, and secure online casino and sportsbook experience, fully localised for Ontarioâs vibrant gaming market. The Apple App and Google Play additions further enhance accessibility, bringing ToonieBetâs premium entertainment to players on the go.
Additionally, this milestone complements the operator’s recent partnership with the NHLâs Ottawa Senators, which made ToonieBet the Official Online Casino Partner of the team. The partnership includes in-arena branding, digital promotions, and fan engagement initiatives like social contests, allowing ToonieBet to connect with Ontario sports fans in exciting ways and offering chances to win team merchandise and tickets.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Soft2Betâs Chief Product Officer, said: âAs Soft2Bet continues our rapid growth, we are excited to provide Ontario players with access to ToonieBetâs sportsbook which is now available on the Apple App and Google Play Store, offering seamless access to a customised experience tailored for the provinceâs passionate gaming community.â
Stats Perform, the global leader in sports AI, data and technology, has announced an official data partnership with the Northern Super League (NSL). The partnership will allow world-leading Opta data to be collected live from every NSL league game for the next three years.
Beginning this month, the Northern Super League (NSL) establishes a new era in Canadian sport as the countryâs first professional domestic womenâs soccer league â an ambitious and transformative initiative co-founded by former Canadian international and Olympic medallist Diana Matheson. Its inaugural season kicks off on April 16 and will feature six teams who have assembled multinational player rosters with extensive club and international experience, including 100-cap Canadian internationals Desiree Scott and Quinn.
Once the action begins, detailed data from every on-ball event, including advanced AI-powered Opta Analytics metrics such as Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Assists (xA), will be captured and distributed via feeds and Stats Perform products, including OptaAI Studio. This will enable various broadcasters, publishers and rights holders to generate stories and insights throughout the NSL season and provide them straight to the leagueâs fans in real time.
As part of the agreement, the NSLâs League Office and every NSL club will also have access to Opta Search, part of OptaAI Studio. This will allow their content creators to leverage all Opta data collected during the NSL season in the creation of data-led stories on the stand-out performers, and will help them generate key talking points for publication on official league and club platforms. Opta Search will also empower the NSLâs media team to create a range of data visualizations, including player shot maps and touch maps, to visually illustrate the impact of different playersâ on-field performances.
Christina Litz, NSL President, said: âWe are thrilled to have Stats Perform on board as our official data partner. When we talk about detailed performance data in soccer, Opta is the gold standard, so we are delighted to have it powering each of our official digital channels. As the season progresses, we want to put the spotlight on all the on-field heroes who emerge and having access to world-class data will help us tell their stories and inspire a new generation of Canadian soccer fans.â
Steve Xeller, Chief Revenue Officer at Stats Perform, said: âStats Perform has been a huge supporter of expansion leagues around the world, so we are very pleased to be partnering with NSL in the lead-up to their first domestic campaign. Seeing a fully professional womenâs soccer league launch in Canada is an incredibly exciting development for the sport in North America and we see considerable potential in working proactively with the Leagueâs Head Office to help the competition grow, using the power of AI and data-led storytelling to build fan communities across the continent.â
With the Ottawa Senators securing a playoff spot in the NHL, ToonieBet will be there every step of the way, engaging fans with exclusive giveaways, premium entertainment, and a casino experience that mirrors the teamâs energy and excitement.
The Ottawa Senators and Tooniebet, an online casino for players across Ontario, announced a partnership that will make Tooniebet the NHL teamâs Official Online Casino Partner.
Tooniebet, which launched in 2024 is part of Soft2Bet – one of the worldâs fastest growing iGaming turnkey solutions providers with iGaming brands around the world with a portfolio of 19 global licenses, including Ontario.
Additional highlights of the Ottawa Senators and TonnieBet partnership will include:
- In-Arena & Broadcast Branding: Digitally enhanced dashboards for home and away games
- In-rink board signage for home games
- Virtual slot signage for various games
- Digital inventory throughout the Ottawa Senators site on NHL.com
- Direct Fan Engagement: Social contests and promotions hosted on Senatorsâ digital platforms
- Television Broadcast Branding: Digitally enhanced rink boards for home and away games
- In-arena rink board signage for home games
Martin Ballard, VP Corporate Partnerships, Ottawa Senators stated:Â âWe are thrilled to welcome ToonieBet as an official partner of the Ottawa Senators. Cooperating with a brand that shares our commitment to providing fans with an exceptional and trusted experience is incredibly exciting. Together, we look forward to delivering memorable moments and engaging our passionate fanbase in new and innovative ways.â
Oksana Tsyhankova, Chief Marketing Officer at Soft2Bet, commented:Â “Partnering Soft2Betâs ToonieBet brand with the Ottawa Senators is a significant milestone that reinforces our strong brand presence in Ontario. In a short period, we have achieved impressive performance and retention results, with a primary focus on localised, engaging experiences for Canadian players, which makes ToonieBet truly set itself apart.”
By tapping into the Senatorsâ digital platforms and in-arena presence, ToonieBet will stay close to the action and connect with fans in real, engaging ways while continuing to offer a top-quality online casino experience.
ToonieBet offers a fast, localised online casino experience for players in Ottawa and across Ontario. Through this partnership, fans will have the chance to win Senators merchandise and tickets while ToonieBet grows its presence in a competitive Ontario market. With in-arena branding, regional broadcast coverage, and digital promotions, ToonieBet will be highly visible to the teamâs loyal supporters.
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