Gambling Weekly News Summary in Canada – 2025/12/20
Ontario iGaming Records Record-Breaking November with $406.2M in Revenue
According to figures published by Ontario’s online gaming regulator, iGaming Ontario, online casino revenue in the province has peaked at $406.2 million, the highest recorded revenue figure since the launch of its regulated iGaming market in 2022.
Total non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) rose 39.1% year-on-year from $292 million, while month-on-month NAGGR also increased 10% from $368 million. Total cash wagers also peaked last month, recording $9.3 billion, nearly double from the previous year’s figure of $5.7 billion, and up 1% from October, which recorded $9.2 billion.
Active player accounts were up from 1,011 to 1,297 year-on-year, while average revenue per active player account (ARPPA) rose from $288 to $313 year-on-year.
Online casinos made up the majority of the market share, recording $298 million in NAGGR. This figure was up 43.2% year-on-year. Following this, betting had a 25% market share, reporting NAGGR of $102 million, up 29.1% year-on-year. Peer-to-peer poker accounted for the remaining market share, at 2%. Poker NAGGR rose 23.5% year-on-year to $3.6 million.
Thunderkick Expands Presence in Ontario with PointsBet Partnership
Swedish online slots developer Thunderkick has strengthened its presence in the North American-regulated market by partnering with sportsbook and casino operator PointsBet in Ontario.
As part of the partnership, Thunderkick’s portfolio of slots will be integrated into PointsBet’s Ontario platform, with Carnival Queen 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Exlosivo 3 being part of the initial rollout. The launch of more Thunderkick slots is expected to follow in the coming months.
Svante Sahlström, Chief Commercial Officer at Thunderkick, said in a statement, “Since its Canadian launch, PointsBet has forged relationships rooted in the country’s cultural identity, which firmly aligns with Thunderkick’s core philosophy of going deeper, not wider. It is a reputable and recognised brand across the globe, and we look forward to supporting its continued North American growth with our class-leading content.”
Thunderkick launched in the Ontario-regulated market 18 months ago and has since formed various partnerships with other operators in the province. In a statement, Thunderkick acknowledged its intention to establish a presence in the North American market.
Ontario Premier Proposes Plans to Make Niagara the ‘Las Vegas of the North”
Doug Ford, Ontario Premier, has said he plans to develop the Niagara region in Ontario, with the centre of the plan being to turn Niagara into the ‘Las Vegas of the north.’
The proposal includes adding more casinos to the region, a theme park, an observation wheel, along with more arts and culture.
Additionally, expanded transportation options would be added, including upgrading the Niagara District Airport to accommodate wider jets, expanding the Queen Elizabeth highway, and increasing train services.
The proposed changes could potentially attract 25 million visitors to Niagara Falls, adding an additional $3 billion to its economy.
“Niagara has the potential to be a true tourism powerhouse, a world class destination that drives Ontario’s economy and keep tens of thousands of Ontario workers on the job and we’re doing everything we can to unlock that potential,” said Ford. However, Mayor of Niagara Falls Jim Diodati has supposedly been in talks with Marineland in an attempt to explore how to reignite Niagara as a prime tourist attraction.
Ziv (Steve) Chen
CEO at Major League Content
Ziv has been working in the iGaming industry for more than two decades, serving in senior roles in software developers like Playtech and Microgaming. He then followed his lifelong passion of writing and became a fulltime journalist, covering casinos, sports betting, legislation and other gambling topics and news with a specialty in North America.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-steve-chen-94b01b5/
