Mobile gaming projected to hit 14.57m by 2029 in Canada – which genres are thriving?
Like in many other parts of the world, smartphone usage has surged in Canada, and mobile gaming has grown ever popular. Today, 70% of Canadian gamers play online games, reflecting a strong shift toward digital and mobile entertainment. This is hardly surprising in a country that has a thriving tech scene supported by the Canadian government and that fosters citizens’ enthusiasm for tech. Now, Canadians are making the most of the convenience smartphones offer to game on the go, or even to just relax with a spot of gaming that doesn’t require them to power up a desktop first.
By 2029, the Canadian mobile gaming market is projected to reach 14.57 million users, reinforcing mobile as the dominant channel for digital play. But what types of mobile games are Canadians revealing themselves to enjoy the most? Puzzles, action, casino gaming, and simulation are the answers. Below is a look at the most popular apps in these genres and an overview of the market for the genres in question.
Puzzle
Puzzle games and word games are the biggest mobile gaming genre among Canadians, and they’re perfectly suited to mobile devices. The genre spoils players with choice.
“Triple Tree” is a simple but addictive app that entails the player building a town by matching houses and trees to create bigger versions of the town. “Monument Valley,” meanwhile, is another heavy hitter and involves guiding a princess through physics-defying levels, and although it’s not the longest game, it provides players with a massive sense of achievement. Best of all, there’s a sequel. Of course, the tile-matching hit “Candy Crush Saga” is popular, too, and ranks just shy of being the most downloaded game of all time.
According to data on the website of consumer and market data company Statista, the puzzles market in Canada is expected to generate $59.60 million in 2025. Canada generates US$1.51 per capita revenue in 2025.
Action
The next most popular genre is action. The famous battle royale “Players Unknown: Battleground” (PUBG), which combines cooperation and competition, remains as popular as ever and is one of the most downloaded games of all time. The multiple player battle royale and hero shooter “Brawl Stars” is another favored option, and Canadians are also enjoying action platformers such as “Super Mombo Quest”. Beat’em up “Streets of Rage 4” has got Canadians tapping furiously on their screens, too.
The action games market is a major revenue generator in the wider global gaming market and adds billions to it. Back in 2022, experts had predicted the market would reach US$19.02 billion that year, and in-app purchases would hit 11.66 billion.
Online casino and other gambling
Although the legal stance on gambling is unusual in Canada, with the Criminal Code outlawing gambling activities and the promotion of them but also containing provisions that enable states to regulate it, Canada is experiencing a change in attitudes from authorities. To protect players, Ontario has created its own regulated gambling market, and Alberta is trying to follow suit and open igaming to private operators.
Several high-profile operators provide gambling services in Canada. Lucky Ones, Jackpot Casino, and Party Casino all offer dedicated mobile apps and provide generous welcome packages for new players. These operators are all featured in reviews on Casino.ca, which profiles the best Canadian casino apps, recommends trustworthy platforms, and highlights the bonuses available to users.
The Canadian gambling market is part of a massive global market that was worth US$19.11 billion in 2024 for the online casino market alone (projected to hit 38 billion by 2030). In 2025, the Canadian gambling market is predicted to hit US$15.59 billion in 2025, according to Statista, and by 2030, the number of users is expected to amount to 70.4 million.
Simulation
Simulation games are a further big hit in Canada. “Super Farming Boy” is a comical farming simulator that requires the player to create large harvesting chain reactions, defeat enemies, and buy back the farm following a takeover.
“This is the Police 2” is another popular simulation game, and the player’s job is to manage the police department, which entails conducting investigations, assaulting enemy bases, and more. The game involves more micromanagement than the first, as the player’s job is to manage police officers, handle missions, and delve into suspicious dealings.
“Rebel Inc” is a challenging strategy game that entrusts the player with the task of stabilizing the region after a brutal war has ended. They can achieve this by funding healthcare and education, but at the same time, they must also keep rebel groups under control. The game is all about learning to balance civilian and military efforts.
The world simulation games market is a big one, and total revenue is expected to hit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.64% from 2022 to 2029. The projected market value is expected to reach US$25.89 billion by 2029.
Canada loves its gaming and has really developed a passion for mobile gaming, partly because of the convenience and partly because of the simple fact that mobile app developers are producing some terrific games. Besides the genres above, don’t be surprised if you see a Canadian indulging in a strategy game on their smartphone. This is another popular genre.