Canada
Legacy jurisdictions set to take a hit when Ontario regulates online casino
OnlineCasinoList.com research shows older dot com licences will not be as profitable in Canada’s biggest market following regulation
The impact of regulation in Ontario, Canada, will lead to a decline in the take-up of legacy online licenses, according to new research by Canadian casino list portal, Online Casino List.
Once it becomes regulated in Q1 2022, Ontario will offer operators the opportunity to legally serve a province that currently makes up 43% of revenues of the whole Canadian online casino market. The costs of obtaining a licence will be around CA$100,000 and taxation rates are set at 20%.
Opting for the existing tribal Kahnawake licence, which costs $118,725 with a 0% tax rate, will still give operators who do not opt for to take an Ontario licence the chance to serve the remaining 57% of Canada’s online gaming market, with fewer restrictions on marketing and gameplay.
However, Online Casino List’s findings are that increased channelisation away from grey market offerings in Canada is an inevitable consequence of Ontario’s impending regulation. That potentially spells bad news for licences such as that offered by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, as well as those supplied by regulators in Curaçao and Malta.
Other Canadian provinces, including British-Columbia, are expected to follow Ontario and regulate in the coming years, resulting in further problems for legacy online jurisdictions in Canada.
“This risk/reward analysis means Kahnawake will take a hit when Ontario introduces its licence,” said David Overmars of Online Casino List. “Even though it doesn’t serve Canadian casinos as much as Curacao and Malta do, the rise of local licences in general should worry Kahnawake. It doesn’t have the population to provide its own local licence, and lacks the reputation that Malta has.”
Online Casino List’s extensive research strongly indicates that major operators will not be content to fly under the radar to attract grey market players and will instead opt to take up the Ontario licence.
Boxes
Hacksaw Gaming and DraftKings Score Again in Ontario
2023 saw Hacksaw Gaming go live in West Virginia and New Jersey and now we have made our long-awaited entry in Ontario, Canada. Securing this trio has hit new heights and hopes for further successes throughout the rest of this year.
DraftKings Casino entered the iGaming market in Ontario in May of 2022 and partnered with Hacksaw Gaming in the back end of the same year. As Ontario’s regulated iGaming market only went live in April of 2022, the pair have given an outstanding performance with effective launch strategies and expansive footing in North America.
Apart from gaining an unprecedented reach across regulated markets, the mobile-friendly format of Hacksaw Gaming games can be visited on phone or tablet via the DraftKings Casino app. Boasting an impressive online casino’s selection of over 300 games, DraftKings now welcomes Hacksaw Gaming favourites such as Chaos Crew, Mines, Omnom and Boxes.
“The benchmarks we have set as a partnership are remarkable and we are ready to take on more challenges continuing into 2024,” the Chief Executive Officer for Hacksaw Gaming, Marcus Cordes, said.
BetVictor
Exploring Canada’s video Game Market: Survey Insights
Technology has become a great source of entertainment to many. Video games particularly have garnered interest from all demographics. In Canada, the gaming industry has experienced significant growth, fuelled by increased accessibility to gaming platforms and the growth of online gaming communities.
Statistics indicate that a large percentage of Canadians are engaged in gaming activities, whether it be playing console or PC games, mobile games, or online multiplayer games. The popularity of video games extends beyond leisure pastimes, with many Canadians participating in gaming competitions, attending gaming conventions, and consuming gaming-related content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
The number of video game users in Canada reflects how broad the sector is, from mobile games to digital video games, download games and live streaming. In 2024, the gaming sector will see millions of users in each of these categories. Statista projects 13.38 million users for digital video games and 7.35 million users for online games respectively. It estimates that revenue in the Canadian video game market is expected to reach US$3,925.00m in 2024, so it is no surprise to observe the increasing popularity of the sector.
Well-known online casino provider BetVictor has compiled some key points from major surveys detailing the video game market to give further insight into its makeup and potential. The gaming culture in Canada is growing, which means the type of games and genres will grow along with the sector. Statista recently conducted a survey of 1 576 respondents aged 18 – 64 who are avid video game players, with telling results. In December 2023, a survey about preferred video game genres in Canada revealed the top four genres as being Action, Action – adventure, Adventure and casual games accounting for 31% of respondents’ preferences.
David Winter, Marketing Manager at BetVictor notes that “We’ve seen a steady increase in the popularity of action-themed and adventure-themed slots and many providers are exploring how to expand further into this market.”
The popularity of Action games such as platform and fighting games can be attributed to various factors, such as: social interaction, accessibility and inclusivity, social appeal, and cultural influence. With such a diverse audience, all these factors are crucial to understand the appeal of Action games.
In the digital age, gaming has transcended mere entertainment to become a cornerstone of culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in Canada. From coast to coast, a diverse community of gamers is thriving, reflecting the country’s inclusive spirit and passion for technology. Whether it’s the casual gamer enjoying a quick session on their smartphone or the dedicated enthusiast meticulously building a custom gaming PC, Canada offers a welcome haven for all kinds of gamers.
Diving deeper into the Statista results, Strategy games accounted for 29%. This shows us that players have a strong interest in tactical and decision-making games. While role-playing (RPG) and sports games garnered 22% each, simulation and shooters trailed slightly behind at 21% and 20% respectively.
MMO (massively multiplayer online games), as well as MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) and MOBA (multi online battle arenas) came in at 13% and 8% respectively, representing a significant but niche following. With such a diverse array of preferences, the survey underscores the multifaceted nature of interests among Canadian gamers. It highlights the need for game developers to cater for a wide range of genres and gameplaying styles in the Canadian market.
From action shooter games to role-playing adventures, the industry has something for every gaming enthusiast in the Canadian market. Overall, the popularity of video games in Canada reflects a growing cultural phenomenon, where gaming has become a mainstream form of entertainment and a significant aspect of modern-day leisure activities.
Statistics anticipate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.10% for 2022-2027, resulting in a projected market volume of US$24.52bn by 2027. Canada’s online gaming market is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a surging number of Canadian players engaging in immersive virtual reality experiences.
Canada
iGaming Ontario Seeks Proposals for a Centralized Self-exclusion Solution Until April 24, 2024
iGaming Ontario (iGO) is currently seeking proposals for Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion solution for igaming from now until April 24.
Partnering with iGO on this multi-year project offers a unique and exciting opportunity for forward-thinking and innovative organizations prepared to make a lasting positive impact on the igaming landscape in Ontario. Interested organizations can visit iGaming Ontario’s dedicated procurement page on MERX to review all NRFP details and prepare their submissions for this high-profile initiative.
The successful bidder will develop a system that:
- Integrates seamlessly with all Ontario igaming operators’ systems, including Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)’s igaming site.
- Provides anyone 19+ with easy access to create and manage their self-exclusion profile.
- Implements Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification, registration, renewal, and reinstatement processes that are intuitive, simple, and offer supporting information.
How to Participate in the Bidding Process?
The Centralized Self-Exclusion (CSE) Solution, along with other iGO current and past bid opportunities, can be found on iGO’s MERX page.
Have a question?
Use the question and answer tool provided on iGO’s MERX page to submit any questions you might have. Please note that iGaming Ontario will only entertain questions about open bidding opportunities in accordance with government directives.
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