Pragmatic Play is now the undisputed leader in Canada’s online slot market. The March 2025 tracker shows the studio held 17 of the top 20 most-played slot games across regulated Canadian casino sites.
Its flagship title, Buffalo King Megaways, climbed back into first place. Hot on its hooves were Gates of Olympus 1,000, Sweet Bonanza 1,000, and Big Bass Splash, claiming second to fourth. Two new entries from Pragmatic, 5 Lions Megaways 2 and Big Bass – Return to the Races also entered the top 20 straight out of the gate.
Gameburger’s Amazing Link Zeus was the only non-Pragmatic game to feature in the Canadian top ten, breaking up what came close to a full sweep. This wasn’t a one-off: Pragmatic has held 13 or more of the top 20 spots since December 2024.
Sweet Bonanza leads the winter rankings
Pragmatic Play’s dominance was even stronger over the winter. In January 2025, Sweet Bonanza became the number one game in Canada, pushing Buffalo King Megaways to second. Big Bass Bonanza reached third as part of a full house of Pragmatic games filling the top seven slots.
Even as festive editions like Gates of Olympus Xmas 1,000 dropped out of the top 20, the studio filled gaps with fresh launches. Money Stacks Megaways, Madame Destiny Megaways, and Wolf Gold Ultimate all climbed into the top 20 by early 2025.
Chart movement favours Pragmatic’s new launches
Pragmatic’s ability to refresh its content catalogue is a big reason behind its staying power. In March, 5 Lions Megaways 2 landed at number seven. Big Bass – Return to the Races debuted at 15. It’s the third spinoff from the Big Bass franchise to enter Canada’s charts in six months.
Meanwhile, even titles like Stellar Jewels, which jumped from rank 319 to 10 in December, could not disrupt Pragmatic’s hold for long. By March, Pragmatic was again back with nine of the top ten. The brand’s core franchises continue to lead with consistency.
Pragmatic grows footprint through Ontario partnerships
Ontario remains the engine of Pragmatic’s Canadian expansion. The studio quickly gained licensing approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and signed early deals with top operators.
In September 2024, Pragmatic announced its slot catalogue had gone live on Caesars Palace Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in Ontario. In the words of Pragmatic Play COO Irina Cornides: “Delivering our premium content to a prestigious operator like Caesars Digital aligns perfectly with our strategic goals.”
She added: “Our games have already been well-received by players in Ontario. We’re excited to bring more player-favourites to the province.”
Pragmatic Play also supplies content to Ontario’s NorthStar Bets and other private operators. Its games are now available across most major platforms licensed under iGaming Ontario.
Expansion continues across provincial markets
While Ontario is the only province with a fully competitive iGaming market, Pragmatic’s reach is spreading. Through aggregation deals, Pragmatic content appears on PlayNow.com in British Columbia and Manitoba. These are government-run casino platforms operated by BCLC.
Loto-Québec and Atlantic Lottery also feature slot content from external providers, including Pragmatic, routed via partners like Light & Wonder and IGT. Suppliers with full compliance credentials are well-placed as more provinces examine Ontario’s model.
Ontario’s model shows the benefits and the burdens of full regulation. In April 2025, the AGCO fined Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $120,000 after two dealers helped players scoop $20,000 through repeated cheat moves. The regulator cited a failure to detect collusion and said it would “continue to take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity of gaming.”
Revenue and rankings tell the same story
Pragmatic Play is now the top-ranked slot supplier in Canada in terms of both GGR and popularity. Eilers-Fantini data showed that Pragmatic overtook IGT in December 2024, capturing 18.6 percent of Canada’s online slots GGR.
Just nine months earlier, IGT held a slight lead with 15.9 percent to Pragmatic’s 15.4 percent. That lead is now gone. Pragmatic’s consistent chart performance and new game tempo, reportedly up to five titles per month, have helped shift the balance.
Industry estimates in April 2025 put Pragmatic’s global annual revenue at approximately $750 million (€510 million). The company does not publish financial statements but continues to expand into live casinos, crash games, and multi-product integrations.
In Ontario alone, the regulated iGaming sector contributed $2.7 billion (€1.836 billion) to GDP in 2024, according to Deloitte. This is a positive sign of sustained industry momentum.
Canadian players prefer slots and mobile play
Slots remain the most popular vertical for Canadian iGaming players. In Ontario, slots made up over 48 percent of all online casino wagers in 2023 and remained the dominant game type in 2024.
In Q3 2024, 1.32 million active accounts placed $22.7 billion in legal wagers across Ontario. Casino games accounted for 78 percent of revenue, while sports betting and poker made up the rest.
A government-backed Ipsos survey found that 86.4 percent of Ontario players now use regulated sites, up from less than 30 percent before the market opened. The shift has been dramatic, and Pragmatic is one of the main beneficiaries.
iGaming Ontario’s Q3 2024 report found $22.7 billion in wagers placed from October to December alone, with $18.9 billion, or 83 percent, coming from online casino games like slots and tables. Total iGaming revenue hit $825.8 million, up 25 percent year-on-year.
Player migration has also been swift. Just two years ago, over 70 percent of Ontarians gambled offshore. Now, 86.4 percent use legal, regulated platforms, a shift driven by trust, game quality, and regulatory standards.
Alberta and Québec weigh up regulation
Alberta passed the iGaming Alberta Act in late 2024. The province’s regulated market should open in 2025 or 2026. Estimates from JMP Securities suggest Alberta’s market could be worth $700 million annually.
British Columbia remains a single-operator jurisdiction through BCLC’s PlayNow platform. But with only partial market control, BCLC’s CEO admitted in 2024 that offshore competition still dominates.
In Québec, a coalition of private operators estimates the province is missing out on $230 million annually by maintaining a monopoly under Loto-Québec. There has been no reform yet, but Ontario’s example continues to shape national discussions.
Pragmatic’s grip reflects a shifting market.
Canada’s iGaming ecosystem is maturing fast. Player behaviour is shifting toward regulated platforms. Mobile-first gaming is the norm. Slots lead the pack in play volume and profitability. Canada’s structured approach has paid off. Ontario’s iGaming market has created over 15,000 full-time jobs since its launch and now supports over 80 regulated operators across the province.
Pragmatic Play’s surge to the top is no accident. It has capitalised on smart licensing, strong content franchises, fast product cycles, and local partnerships. If Alberta follows Ontario’s path, that dominance could only deepen.
If 2024 proved Canada’s iGaming market could grow fast, 2025 looks set to reward those who lead with content. Pragmatic Play is already holding the reins.
