\nOur aim is to be the best gaming jurisdiction in the world, and these positive results are an early sign that we\u2019re on our way,\u201d Dave Forestell, iGO\u2019s board chair, said in a statement. \u201cWith a competitive revenue share rate and low barriers to entry, Ontario is an attractive iGaming market with a strong player base.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Those handle and revenue numbers were generated through approximately 492,000 active accounts that were wagered either with cash or promotion during the quarter. The organization noted that the number of unique players is likely smaller since bettors may have created accounts with multiple gaming apps.<\/p>\n
Based on the number of accounts, the average monthly spend per account was CAD$113 (US$86).<\/p>\n
The iGO figures also do not include PROLINE+, the sports betting and iGaming app of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.<\/p>\n
Early Ontario Numbers Lag<\/h2>\n
While iGO touted the initial metrics as a suggestion that Ontario gamblers want player protections provided by a regulated gaming entity, some analysts and experts found the numbers disappointing.<\/p>\n
Capt. Jack Andrews compared the revenue figures of Ontario, a province of 14.5 million, with Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania \u2013 states with iGaming and online sports betting. Despite the US states having far fewer residents than Ontario, all of the states vastly outperformed Ontario.<\/p>\n
New Jersey, the smallest of the US states (8.9 million population) in the comparison, albeit with the most mature iGaming market of them all, posted operator revenues during the same quarter of more than US$557 million \u2013 4.5 times (in US dollars) the amount operators in Ontario collected.<\/p>\n