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Gambling in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Michal Dalal Michal Dalal New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 71320CA

Revenue

$16.5bn

2024

$16.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

37,044

Businesses

669

Wages

$X.Xbn

Gambling in Canada industry analysis

Gambling in Canada has undergone significant changes recently, anchored by the legalization of single-event sports betting through Bill C-218 in 2021. This amendment to the Criminal Code allowed provinces to regulate single-event sports betting, transforming the gambling landscape. When Ontario legalized online gambling, quickly capitalized on this by integrating single-event betting into its iGaming market in 2022, leading to increased revenues and a more secure betting environment. This shift aims to curb illegal gambling practices and generate higher provincial revenues. Meanwhile, Canada has committed to promoting responsible gambling, with initiatives like self-exclusion programs and limits on time and money spent, striving for a balance between profit and social responsibility. Still, post-pandemic conditions and higher costs contributed to reduced spending on gambling services. Revenue will moderately contract at a CAGR of 0.6% to $16.2 billion over the years to 2024, including a loss of 4.1% that year.

Trends and Insights

  • Single-event sports betting is changing the game in Canada. Thanks to Bill C-218, provinces like Ontario have embraced it, fostering transparency and boosting their revenues by legalizing what was once a parlay-only market.
  • Middle-income gamblers are the most frequent casino visitors, contributing significantly to revenue. Their increasing share is because of higher disposable incomes and lower unemployment, allowing them to indulge in leisure activities more often.
  • Ontario's booming population and tourism are a jackpot for the gambling scene. With plenty of locals and tourists flocking to casinos and gaming venues, the gambling is thriving thanks to a steady stream of patrons.
  • Buyers tighten belts during economic downturns. Facing financial uncertainty, consumers cut back on non-essential spending, impacting participation in gambling activities.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $16.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Single-event betting was legalized in a few provinces

  • Gambling in Canada is illegal unless permitted under the Criminal Code and sanctioned by provincial authorities. This stringent regulation framework has historically limited the gambling landscape.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Gambling in Canada
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Gambling will endure growing competition

  • Consumer preferences for entertainment will continue to evolve in the coming years. As disposable income rises, consumers will allocate more of their spending toward experiences that create lasting memories. Alternative activities that cater to diverse demographics, like theme parks, will have an edge over traditional gambling.

Biggest companies in the Gambling in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
6,329.1
1,555.0
24.6
British Columbia Lottery Corporation
2,957.2
1,707.0
57.7
Loto-Quebec
2,932.3
1,505.3
51.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Gambling in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Casino table games, Electronic gaming machines and Lotteries. Casino table games is the largest segment of the Gambling in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Electronic gaming machines have declined as fewer people have visited casinos

  • Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are located in casinos, bars, lounges and racetracks, consisting of video lottery machines and slots.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

In Canada, gambling encompasses casinos, bars and lounges with electronic gaming machines, horse racing venues and lottery ticket outlets. Casinos offer table games, slot machines and sports betting, complemented by dining, entertainment and valet parking services. Gaming organizations can be commercial, charitable, government-owned or owned by private companies under contract with provincial gaming authorities. Many gambling establishments offer additional services and amenities like food and beverages, entertainment, valet parking, swimming pools, conference halls and convention centers.

What's included in this industry?

Operating casino table gamesOperating electronic gaming machinesLottery servicesHorse racing servicesOther gaming services

Companies

Ontario Lottery and Gaming CorporationBritish Columbia Lottery CorporationLoto-Quebec

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CATCHMENTTABLE GAMESLOT MACHINEPARI-MUTUEL WAGERING

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 7132 - Gambling in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Single-event sports betting is changing the game in Canada. Thanks to Bill C-218, provinces like Ontario have embraced it, fostering transparency and boosting their revenues ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Middle-income gamblers are the most frequent casino visitors, contributing significantly to revenue. Their increasing share is because of higher disposable incomes and lower ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Ontario's booming population and tourism are a jackpot for the gambling scene. With plenty of locals and tourists flocking to casinos and gaming venues, the gambling is thriv...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Buyers tighten belts during economic downturns. Facing financial uncertainty, consumers cut back on non-essential spending, impacting participation in gambling activities.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Four companies account for over 5.0% of industry revenue. Still, they collectively account for over 80.0% of industry revenue and exert significant market power.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of British Columbia Lottery Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Loto-Quebec's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for British Columbia Lottery Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Loto-Quebec, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Provincial governments in Canada play a crucial role in gambling regulation. Each province must set guidelines to control various games of chance, influencing what's allowed ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Digital gambling platforms have captivated younger audiences and broadened customer bases, leading to moderate profit expansion. Regional licensing changes have stimulated gr...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Assets (2017-2022)
  • Liabilities (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Gambling industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Gambling industry in Canada is $16.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Gambling in Canada industry in 2024?

There are 669 businesses in the Gambling industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Gambling industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Gambling industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Gambling industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Gambling industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Gambling market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Gambling market in Canada are Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Loto-Quebec

What does the Gambling in Canada include?

Operating casino table games and Operating electronic gaming machines are part of the Gambling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Gambling in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

How competitive is the Gambling industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Gambling industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Spectator Sports in Canada
  • Amusement Parks & Arcades in Canada
  • Golf Courses & Country Clubs in Canada
  • Hotels & Motels in Canada
  • Bars & Nightclubs in Canada

Complementors

  • Full-Service Restaurants in Canada

International industries

  • Global Casinos & Online Gambling
  • Global Sports Betting & Lotteries
  • Lotteries & Native American Casinos in the US
  • Horse and Sports Betting in Australia
  • Lotteries and Bookmaking Operations in New Zealand

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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