The change was coming, wasn’t it? The switch from traditional gambling institutions to mobile-based casino gaming.
While classic casinos won’t be going out of fashion anytime soon, online gaming has become the go-to option for thousands of gamers in Ontario. Slots, table games with a live dealer, and other computer-based table games are some of the most popular options with Ontario’s mobile-centric gaming population.
Research on mobile technologies in Ontario iGaming market reveals a massive boom in this industry. It’s interesting to track the rise of mobile gaming and see what this technology shift holds for the future.
The Rise of Mobile Gaming
It’s clear that mobile gaming has exploded in recent years and has become very popular in the iGaming scene. Lovers of sporting events and classic casino games have found mobile gaming a convenient way to play safely on the go, whenever and wherever.
Even keen adherents of classic brick-and-mortar gambling institutions appreciate the convenience of mobile gaming. It allows them to play games in between leisure activities such as wellness retreats, hiking, swimming, and more.
According to Statista, revenue in the online gambling market is projected to reach US$100.90bn in 2024 at an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 6.20%. By 2029, the market valuation is projected to reach US$136.30 bn.
While the USA and the UK remain the global market leaders, other nations like India and Canada are gradually matching the pace with very significant growth.
Sports betting continues to be the most prominent industry for mobile gaming, with thousands keen on betting across football, cricket, and virtual events. However, online casino gaming has also enjoyed a tremendous boost in recent years. As technology evolved, online casino gaming scaled new heights with exciting interactive features across various online mobile gaming sites.
Ontario’s Gambling Landscape
There’s no doubt that mobile gaming is on the rise in Ontario. Statistics show that Ontario’s regulated online gambling market platforms generated around half a billion dollars of wagers in Q4 of the 2022/23 fiscal year.
According to the same stats, almost half of all casino bets in the online casino category went toward slots, nearly a third went toward live dealer table games, and the remaining portion went toward computer-based table games.
Furthermore, the trends reveal that more gamblers than before are seeing the benefits of sticking to only regulated providers. This is evidenced in a survey, which reported that over 85% of respondents who gambled online in Ontario did so on regulated sites.
In Canada, online gambling activities are regulated and authorized exclusively under the supervision of the provincial governments. In Ontario, the Gaming Control Act of 1992 and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act of 1999 form the basis of gambling laws. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is the primary regulator of online gambling.
Some of the laws, such as the legal gambling age (19), are pretty straightforward. Others involve illegal games such as three-card Monte, punch boards, coin tables, and pyramid schemes, all of which are on the banned list.
Mobile Casino Gaming in Ontario
The adoption of mobile platforms in the Ontario gambling industry today is mainly driven by two factors: licensing and usability.
With more focus on regulated platforms and legal acceptance, the industry has grown as more customers have begun to trust the security and convenience of mobile platforms. Their usability also makes them appealing to most gamers, as you can play on the go.
It’s easy to check which online platforms are insured and which aren’t so that players can stay far from illegal gambling sites. They’re also very convenient to use. For operators, it’s a chance to capture the fast-growing mobile user base and create even more tailored offerings in casino gaming.
While there are lots of options to pick from, it’s important to stick to the regulated platforms for your security.
Final Thoughts
The global smartphone penetration rate is increasing rapidly. As such, it’s now easier to place bets and gamble online anywhere and anytime. Ever-improving design technologies make each updated version of the mobile betting platform easy to use and even more accessible than the last.
As more players adopt mobile devices and prefer the convenience they offer in the global marketplace, mobile betting is expected to drive growth in the iGaming industry in the near future.