Ontario Sports Betting Falls 30% in August as Casino Surges

Ontario's regulated iGaming market posted a stark divide in August. Sports betting revenue fell 30% month over month to CA$54.4 million, according to iGaming Ontario's latest report.

Online casino play moved in the opposite direction. Casino wagering climbed to a 90% share of total handle. Total handle reached CA$9.74 billion for the month.

The split extends a long-running trend in Ontario's iGaming market. Casino products have consistently outperformed sports betting since the market launched in 2022. Regulators were also active in August, with Ontario's gaming watchdog fining three licensed operators a combined CA$290,000.

Sports Betting Revenue Falls to CA$54.4 Million

Sports betting revenue totaled CA$54.4 million in August, down 30% from July's CA$77.8 million. Revenue was also down 9.6% year over year from CA$60.2 million in August 2025.

Sports betting's share of total market revenue slipped to 13.7%, one of its lowest readings in 2026. Handle for the vertical declined too, to roughly CA$960 million.

Ontario's sportsbook segment has swung between growth and decline throughout 2026, even as the broader iGaming market continues to expand. August's numbers underscored that volatility.

Online Casino Drives Market Growth With 90% of Handle

Online casino activity told a different story. Casino wagers reached CA$8.78 billion in August, accounting for 90.1% of Ontario's total handle. That marked the highest casino share since Ontario's regulated market opened in 2022.

Casino revenue climbed to CA$336 million, up 25.4% year over year from CA$268 million in August 2025.

Total market revenue rose 18.4% year over year to CA$396.3 million, with casino gains more than offsetting the sports betting decline.

Active player accounts fell 11% month over month to roughly 1.2 million, while average spending per account held steady.

Ontario Regulator Issues CA$290,000 in Fines, Led by Underage Case

August also brought fresh regulatory action. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issued CA$290,000 in combined penalties against three licensed operators.

Betty Gaming received the largest fine, CA$120,000, after age-verification failures let underage users create accounts. Booming Games was also fined CA$70,000 over a separate compliance issue.

AGCO CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr called the legal age requirement one of the most basic safeguards in Ontario's regulated market. "Young people must not be able to create accounts, deposit money, or gamble online," Schnarr said.