Are male gamblers still dominating Canada’s iGaming scene?

Canada’s iGaming market is growing fast. In 2025, it’s a $4.19 billion beast and growing. But the question is: who’s really fueling the engine? For years, men have been the main players. Poker sharks. Sports bettors. High rollers. But things are changing.

Let’s cut through the noise and look at what the latest data actually says about who’s logging in, placing bets, and dominating this hyper-competitive space.

Men still lead, but not by much

Right now, yes, men are still ahead. According to a 2024 article from Made in Ca, around 63% of men gamble regularly. But here’s the catch: the gap used to be much higher. A decade ago, men made up over 80% of the market.

Female participation in online gambling has jumped sharply, with 57% of Canadian women now gambling at least once a month. The real surprise? Nearly 4 in 10 sports bettors in Canada are women. 

As the gender gap narrows, women are pushing product trends. The rise isn’t just in real-money online slots or sports wagers. Women are getting more strategic, moving from casual games to higher-risk, higher-reward options.

How men and women gamble 

Men and women don’t just play different games, they play for different reasons.

What men are doing:

• Sports betting is their domain. NHL, UFC, and CFL, men are more likely to be drawn to fast-paced, stat-heavy action. These games demand quick thinking, knowledge of odds, and a taste for risk.
• Card games like poker and blackjack are also popular among men, particularly because of the perceived skill and competitive edge involved. In poker, it’s not just about the luck; it’s about bluffing, reading opponents, and staying sharp under pressure. Many male players appreciate the control some card games offer compared to purely luck-based games.
• Risk tolerance is another major factor. Men generally place larger bets but do so less frequently. This behavior suggests a more aggressive, “go big or go home” mindset that aligns with legacy gambling archetypes.

What women are doing:

• Slots and bingo still attract many female players, but it’s not the whole picture anymore. Women are beginning to explore and excel at more complex offerings like fantasy sports, live dealer games, and even crypto casinos.
• The one area where women clearly dominate is mobile gaming. According to statistics, women are more likely to place bets on their mobile phones, as data shows 55% of female players are mobile bettors.
• Deposit habits are different. Women typically deposit smaller amounts but do it more often: 32 times a year on average, compared to 19 for men.
• Interestingly, women are also more likely to engage with social casino features like chat rooms, community leaderboards, and cooperative challenges. This suggests that the appeal of gambling for many women isn’t solely the win, but the experience.

This split reflects different motivations clearly. Men often chase the thrill; women play for entertainment and escapism. But those lines are starting to blur.

Problem gambling among men and women

Problem gambling is real, and it doesn’t discriminate. But stats show men are still more prone to high-risk, compulsive gambling.

• 2% of Canadian men show signs of gambling addiction.
• 1.2% of women show similar patterns.

But here’s where it gets interesting: support services and educational tools are still tailored to male behaviours. That’s a problem because, as more women enter the space, the need for female-focused support systems will rise too.

Who’s winning the game?

Let’s be clear: dominance in iGaming isn’t just about volume, it’s about influence.

Women are getting involved in bigger numbers. Platforms are adjusting their UX to appeal to female players. Live-dealer games with customizable avatars, gender-neutral marketing, and even “social casino” integrations. Some might say these are trends. But they’re recalibrations.

We’re watching a shift from a male-dominated industry to a more balanced ecosystem, both on the user and provider side.

The future

Here’s where it’s all heading.

Mobile rules everything. The majority of all iGaming traffic in Canada comes from smartphones. And since women dominate mobile usage, expect the female gambling demographic to keep growing.

Gamification and social play are next-level draws, especially for younger female players. Think Clash of Clans meets blackjack. That’s the energy iGaming is chasing now.

Personalisation is the final boss. AI algorithms are getting smarter, segmenting user behaviour by far more than gender, age, device, risk level, and even mood based on in-app activity. In that world, traditional demographic dominance matters less. Engagement is much more important.

It’s not a man’s game anymore

So, are male gamblers still dominating Canada’s iGaming scene?

For now, technically, yes. But the tables are turning. Female players are showing up, leveling up, and changing the rules. This isn’t just a “more women are gambling now” story. It’s about how the entire infrastructure of Canadian iGaming is adapting to a broader player base.

The smart money? It’s on the people and platforms that see this coming and act accordingly.

Because in iGaming, like in poker, it’s not about who’s ahead now. It’s about who plays the long game better.