In a surprising turn of events, online poker in Ontario experienced a significant growth spurt last year, outpacing the growth of sports betting in the province. According to data from Poker Industry PRO, Ontario online poker saw a 15% increase in revenue compared to the previous year, while sports betting only grew by 12%.
This unexpected trend has caught many industry experts off guard, as sports betting has traditionally been a more popular form of online gambling in Ontario. However, the rise of online poker can be attributed to a number of factors, including the closure of physical poker rooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced players to turn to online platforms for their gaming needs.
Another contributing factor to the growth of online poker in Ontario is the increasing popularity of poker streaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. With more and more people watching live streams of professional poker players, casual players are inspired to try their hand at the game, leading to a spike in online poker activity.
Additionally, the convenience and accessibility of online poker compared to traditional brick-and-mortar casinos has also played a role in its growth. Players can now easily access their favorite poker games from the comfort of their own homes, without the need to travel to a physical casino.
Despite the growth of online poker in Ontario, sports betting still remains a lucrative market in the province. With the recent legalization of single-event sports betting in Canada, experts predict that sports betting will continue to grow in popularity in the coming years.
Overall, the unexpected rise of online poker in Ontario has caught many by surprise, and industry experts are closely monitoring the trends to see how they will continue to evolve in the future. One thing is certain: online poker is here to stay, and its growth shows no signs of slowing down.
