India vs Canada: Two fast-growing online gambling markets on track to double by 2030

In 2026, global online gambling is entering a high-growth phase, with emerging and regulated markets expanding at unprecedented rates. In this context, two standout markets are India and Canada, which are both on strong upward trajectories despite their structural differences.

In fact, according to projections, both India and Canada are on track to double their market size by 2023 because of rising digital adoption, mobile penetration and evolving consumer behavior. This article will compare the two markets to understand what’s driving growth and where the biggest opportunities lie.

Market overview: India vs Canada

Today, both India and Canada offer distinct opportunities for operators, at a time when the global online gambling market size was estimated at USD 78.66 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 153.57 billion by 2030. At a fundamental level, India has a massive population with rapid digital expansion and a patchwork regulatory environment that creates both opportunity and uncertainty. While India is a rapidly scaling, mobile-first market, Canada has a more structured, regulated ecosystem, especially in provinces like Ontario, which has created a monetised, predictable environment where operators can scale sustainability under clear rules, even with a smaller population.

India vs. Canada’s growth story

India’s gambling and online gaming sectors are large and fast-growing, but they also cannot fully grow because of legal restrictions. India’s rules for gaming and digital entertainment are still evolving, with different states applying their own laws and regulations rather than a single uniform national approach.

Its large, highly connected, tech-literate population presents significant opportunities for operators, particularly in skill-based games and fantasy sports. Smartphone penetration and affordable data have made mobile gaming widespread, and India is one of the world’s most mobile-first digital economies, with users in both urban and rural regions accessing entertainment primarily through handheld devices.

On the other hand, Canada’s growth is rooted in structured regulation and consumer trust. Provinces such as Ontario have established regulated iGaming markets that attract major global operators while enforcing strict compliance, responsible gambling standards, and player protection measures.

For example, Ontario became the first province to open a fully regulated private online gambling market in April 2022, attracting over 70 licensed operators within its first year. Licensing frameworks ensure transparent market entry, high consumer confidence and predictable revenue generation.

Comparing India and Canada’s regulation and market dynamics

India and Canada differ in terms of regulations between their two markets. For instance, India operates under a patchwork of state laws, with ongoing legal debates around skill vs chance, taxation and consumer protection. More specifically, India’s online gaming sector is governed by the Public Gambling Act of 1867 (as modified by individual states), with additional state laws that either permit or ban real-money gaming, Supreme Court rulings that protect “skill-based games” from being treated as gambling and national rules including the IT Act and a 28% GST on online gaming.

Alternatively, Canada offers clear, province-level frameworks that define licensing, advertising and operational requirements.

Ontario launched its modern regulated online gaming market in April 2022 through iGaming Ontario, established under the province’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario framework. This means operators must be licensed and comply with strict advertising and consumer protection rules or else they cannot legally operate in the province.

Future Outlook for India and Canada

By 2030, both markets are expected to roughly double in size owing to regulatory changes in India and continued innovation-led expansion in Canada.

International operators such as Bet365 and Flutter Entertainment are positioning themselves across India and Canada with increasingly streamlined strategies to ensure long-term growth within the global online gambling ecosystem. 

In India, growth depends on adapting quickly to mobile-first users, local languages and changing state rules on gaming. In Canada, operators focus on strict compliance with provincial systems like Ontario’s iGaming model, prioritising licensing, safety tools and regulated experiences. If you click here, you’ll see how prevalent mobile casino apps are in Canada. Some of these now feature AI personalisation and secure payments to make access smooth and build trust.

However, India still faces unclear regulations, while Canada is highly competitive and already mature. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, India and Canada represent two very different but equally compelling growth stories in online gambling. While India offers scale and rapid expansion, Canada brings stability and structured growth. If the momentum continues, both markets are on track to play leading roles in the global industry by 2030. So, there’s no better time to explore how data-driven insights can help navigate the high-growth markets.