Last Updated On 30 July 2024, 8:37 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

The last couple of years have transformed the way Canadians (as well as people from other countries) spend their time online.

Many have started playing online games due to everyone being unable to socialise in traditional ways due to the pandemic.

And even though the risks from the pandemic have been almost completely eliminated, people seem to have adopted the new ways they spend their free time.

The gaming market has seen serious growth in new players, including the gambling market, too.

People can simply turn on their computers, start their favourite game and spend hours having fun, either with friends or on their own.

That’s why we have so many multiplayer games that can be played online today, and that is why there are more and more online casinos present.

Additionally, the laws have changed a bit in Canada, more specifically in Ontario, where online gambling is now legal and fully regulated.

This has led psychologists and gaming experts to conduct some research on how people behave.

And this article is going to explore some key findings on player behaviour in the province.

What is behavioural science?

Behavioural science provides us with insight into how people make decisions. This is key when researching player behaviour, especially when it comes to casino games and other games of luck.

This science uses findings and methodologies from economics, psychology, and other social sciences in order to better understand people.

These insights can help businesses and governments better understand people’s needs and perspectives.

However, when it comes to experts who analyse people’s behaviour strictly for gaming, the methods are a bit different.

The premise of using psychology and economics is still there, but other digital tools are also used to analyse people’s needs better.

What do Ontario gamblers want?

Ontario’s gambling market has abruptly expanded ever since the new law was passed in 2022.

This has led to the occurrence of new online casinos, many new games, and lots of new players.

Also, this was a perfect opportunity for the experts in the field to do some research with the aim of providing a better gaming experience to their players.

Similar research has recently occurred. An established online casino review website for Ontario gamers, GambleOntario, has conducted research on how people behave when it comes to online casino games.

They still rely a bit on psychology, but the main focus is on those other, digital ways that experts use to provide solutions for people’s needs.

For example, they have found that more and more people rely on their smartphones to play casino games.

This insight can lead to better-optimized apps with better games for their on-the-go players.

Additionally, there is an increase in interest in fast-payout casinos in Ontario. This is a valuable insight, as operators can now adjust their own payment methods and processes to both protect data better and provide funds faster.

Lastly, players in Ontario also seek no-deposit bonuses, which are great for newcomers and for testing out the website and games before you financially commit to one operator.

What do Ontario gamers want?

It is also interesting to use similar digital methods to research what the gaming needs are in Ontario, and we can see some similarities to the iGaming market needs.

For example, according to Statista, mobile games and gaming are on the rise. In 2024, this market is projected to reach a revenue of over $1 billion, and by 2027, the experts expect to see the rise of mobile game players and for it to reach 13.7 million users.

Another interesting similarity is that more and more gamers play their video games on smartphones.

So, once again, mobile gaming is on the rise, while the second preferred device is PCs, with consoles right behind them.

It is safe to say that video game studios will be working more on providing a better mobile gaming experience, but they won’t forget about their loyal PC and console players.

Last but not least, experts have seen an increase in the demand to watch video games rather than play them.

According to Mintel’s research, more and more Canadian players enjoy watching someone else play their favourite video games.

This is probably due to the boom of online streamers, where people can watch them play the games, react to the games and simply provide a fun gaming experience.

Another connection, and a new trend, is the eSports games, and people love them for the pure thrill of watching (just like with traditional sports).

Ontario’s gaming market is changing and evolving. Similarly to the rest of the markets, there is an increase in the demand for online casino games due to the laws and regulations being updated in 2022.

This has brought many changes to how Ontario players pass the time, but it has also changed the way they socialize.

Gaming and gambling markets are bound to grow and change even more in the future, but overall, people love playing games on their smartphones (which is a major change from PCs), and they always seek new titles.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.