Search
Choose a style
Dark
Light

Ontario iGaming market dips to five-month low in February

The regulated Ontario iGaming market bucked its trend of month-over-month growth in February, but both total wagering activity and operators’ gross gaming revenue are still well ahead of the pace the market was setting this time last year.

The latest iGaming Ontario (iGO) revenue report shows that the total value of cash wagers dropped 8% from an all-time monthly record of $9.52bn in January 2026 to $8.74bn in February. Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) fell almost 15% from $401.5m to $342.4m.

Those February 2026 handle and revenue totals were both the lowest posted in a single month in the province since September 2025. Handle had eclipsed $9bn and NAGGR had beaten $400m in each of November, December, and January.

February, of course, has fewer days than any of those previous months. And the year-over-year trend for the month was strong: February 2026’s handle and revenue were each around 22% above February 2025, continuing the provincial regulated market’s consistent pattern of strong annual growth on a month-by-month basis as regulated Ontario iGaming nears the end of its fourth year.

Around 1.3 million player accounts were active last month, although the average revenue they yielded for operators was $264, the lowest monthly total since February 2025’s $248.

Ontario taxes operators at 20% of NAGGR, meaning the provincial government reaped around $68m in tax revenue from regulated iGaming in February.

Sports betting and iCasino’s differing fortunes continue

In a month that contained the favoured Seattle Seahawks beating the New England Patriots in a low-scoring Super Bowl LX, Ontario’s licensed sportsbooks took $946m in wagers, $15m (1.6%) more than they took in February 2025. That was Ontario’s lowest monthly sports betting handle since last August.

Those sports bets yielded $61.3m in operator revenue, almost exactly the same as the NAGGR made in the same month last year ($61.6m). Sports betting handle and revenue have tended to be pretty flat in terms of year-over-year growth in Ontario on a month-by-month basis, in a market in which online casino gaming consistently accounts for 85%-plus of regulated online gambling activity and around 80% of operator revenue.

In contrast to online sports betting, iCasino keeps posting strong annual growth.

While February’s online casino-specific handle was its lowest since September 2025, at $7.65bn, that represented a 26% jump from February 2025. Similarly, iCasino NAGGR climbed 29% from $214.0m last February to $275.7m last month, although once again that February 2026 total was the smallest since last September.

Peer-to-peer poker continues to account for a tiny sliver of the market. That vertical’s wagering activity ($135m) and revenue ($5.6m) were both lower than they were this time last year.

P2P poker is ring-fenced within Ontario, severely limiting its potential. The question of whether it can be opened up across international borders faces an appeal from several Canadian lottery corporations in the Supreme Court of Canada.

At the start of February, 48 licensed commercial operators were active in Ontario, running a total of 82 iGaming sites. Those numbers have both since dropped by one, as Rivalry announced midway through the month that it was suspending all play.

On the sports betting side, Ontario’s commercial sportsbooks faced increased competition in February as Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) launched its expanded and upgraded sportsbook with its new platform provider Kambi in late January.

OLG online gaming activity is not included in iGO reporting. In early March, the crown corporation belatedly released its annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, which showed that its revenue from online sports betting and online casino was $585m for that 12-month period.

Ontario’s online operators may soon have more competition. Other iGaming brands are expected to launch in the market soon, including sports streaming giant DAZN, which received a license to launch DAZN Bet in the province.

BC unveils upgraded 24/7 provincewide gambling support system

TheBritish Columbia government announced on Wednesday that it is revamping the way it provides gambling support to residents.

Effective April 1, B.C. will upgrade its Gambling Support BC program with what it describes as a new integrated, provincewide service-delivery model, intended to provide people with faster and easier access to resources no matter where in the province they live.

Delivered through a partnership with Telus Health, the updated service will combine the existing 24/7 Gambling Support Line and clinical counselling services into one coordinated system.

“The evolving nature of the gaming industry, such as the growth of online gambling, means we need to change the way gambling supports are provided,” said B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger in a news release issued on March 25. “The new service-delivery model will make accessing supports easier and more responsive for British Columbians in the moments when they need it most.”

Immediately accessible help

The government said that people seeking support will be able to access immediate information, support and referrals, available 24/7 via a single online access point.

Gambling Support BC focuses on several main services, including prevention and outreach, tailored education and training and clinical services such as counselling. It offers a self-assessment program for users as an initial starting point for people to understand their own gambling behaviour.

The revamped program will include the ability to connect with trained professionals at any time without the need for an appointment, short-term transition-focused counselling, connections to longer-term community supports, and other help that is tailored to people based on their needs.

The free-of-charge, publicly funded services will be available in multiple languages, including English, French, Punjabi, and Chinese.

The government release added that the changes are part of the province’s broader effort to ensure that services remain up-to-date as gambling behaviours evolve, to ensure that individuals struggling with gambling can get support that works for them whenever and however they need it.

“We recognize that problem gambling is a complex issue that impacts individuals, families and communities,” said Telus Health Chief Mental Health Officer Dr. Matthew Chow. “Through our customized telephone and web-based counselling services, we’re thrilled to provide accessible, free support to help people on their path to recovery.

“This agreement with Gambling Support BC represents our continued commitment to social purpose, alongside our dedication to supporting the health and well-being of all British Columbians.”

Indigenous-specific supports

In addition to the general changes, the provincial government will also strengthen Gambling Support BC’s Indigenous-specific services by improving funding flexibility and enabling community-driven service design, in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

The government said those changes support “culturally grounded, self-determined approaches to care” for Indigenous communities.

The Indigenous service stream provides specialized prevention, outreach, and therapeutic counselling through a land-based healing approach for Indigenous groups – a population that research has shown to be one of the most at-risk for gambling-related harms.

A core focus of the Indigenous-facing program will be mental health and substance use.

Leger to study gambling harms

Another piece of the updated program will include what the government called a gambling prevalence study.

The province has commissioned research firm Leger to conduct a study aimed at identifying trends related to gambling harms experienced by people in British Columbia, particularly in the context of the growth of online gambling in B.C. and beyond and other changes within the gaming industry.

The study is already underway and a full report will be published this spring.

Alberta sets July deadline for iGaming applications, unregulated shutdowns

The actual go-live date for Alberta’s commercial online gambling market remains unconfirmed, but the market regulator has set a key date for certain milestones.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) opened the registration for iGaming operators and suppliers early this year, and it has now confirmed that the application process will now run until July 13.

The registration rigmarole in Alberta consists of a dual process of first registering with AGLC, which will be the market regulator, and then entering into a commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), which will be the conduct-and-manage agency.

That is a similar process to the one that operators face in Ontario, where they must apply for licensure with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and contract with iGaming Ontario (iGO).

“Operators have until July 13, 2026 to submit a completed application and pay all fees to AGLC.” 

AGLC

All would-be operators and suppliers in Alberta will also be mandated to integrate with the province’s centralized self-exclusion program, which will allow gamblers to opt out of all iGaming platforms, all land-based casinos and racing entertainment centres, or both categories at once.

Out of the shadows by July 13

AGLC laid out in its initial standards for iGaming that it expects any companies that offer unregulated gambling services in the province to end all grey-market play if they are to be eligible for registration in the new provincial regime.

In an iGaming transition guidance document posted on March 17, AGLC noted that the July 13 application deadline is also the general cut-off for that transition process. Existing grey-market operators will need to settle or cancel all outstanding bets and return all funds to players, and restart that process if they re-enter the province under licensure.

“Operators must also cease any unregulated lottery scheme activities (i.e. taking bets) by July 13, 2026.”

AGLC

AGLC said that it reserves the right to offer a three-month grace period, up to October 13, on a case-by-case basis if it feels that an operator has shown that it will be able to comply with that directive in a manner that is unachievable by July 13.

The agency stressed that failure to adhere to that guidance may result in the regulator deeming a company to be unsuitable for iGaming registration in Alberta.

While many of the operators that have confirmed they are applying for registration in Alberta do not have an existing presence in the province, a number of them have had a digital gaming footprint in the province for years. That is similar to the situation in Ontario when that province transitioned from an Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) monopoly to an open competitive iGaming market in April 2022.

But that’s not necessarily the launch date

While the multiple mentions of July 13 as a cut-off show that AGLC and AiGC are starting to firm up some things, there is no explicit indication that it is the target market launch date.

The AGLC guidance document noted that the AiGC will ultimately determine when it’s time to cut the ribbon and start the engines.

“In the event the market ‘go live’ date, as determined by the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), occurs after July 13, 2026, all unregulated market activities must cease by the ‘go live’ date,” added AGLC. “… In the event the market ‘go live’ date occurs after October 13, 2026, all unregulated market activities must cease by the ‘go live’ date.”

But the new information about July 13 deadlines does line up with what Alberta’s minister responsible for iGaming, Dale Nally, told Canadian Gaming Business a few weeks ago.

“The fact that we’ve released the regulations tells you that we’re moving fast,” Nally said in late February. “Let me just say that you won’t be asking me when in the summer. I can’t give you the exact date, but we have some temporary regulatory requirements that we put up, and the expiration on those is the second week in July.

“So I think you can take that as a very big hint that we won’t be having this [launch date] conversation in July. It’ll be well before that.”

“We have a date in mind. We’re just not ready to put out the media just yet.”

Alberta Minister Dale Nally

AiGC Interim Chief Executive Officer Dan Keene told Canadian Gaming Business around the same time that he is confident of a “spring/summer” launch, and several operators have cited late June or early July as a potential timeframe.

Canadian Gaming Business understands that the ultimate imperative goal is to have the iGaming market up and running and the province’s many operators firing on all cylinders in time for the new NFL season in early September and the NHL season a few weeks later.

How many operators, you say?

Speaking of “many operators”, Ontario has 47 registered commercial online gaming companies running 81 licensed sites at the time of writing, not including OLG. Alberta may well be in the same ballpark.

The AGLC guidance document notes that it has had “strong interest from over 55 operator sites”, although only nine sites had paid the required fees as of March 17.

That does not necessarily mean that 55 separate companies have applied, given the reference to “sites”, as many operators will be applying to offer multiple sites. For instance, Caesars Entertainment this week announced it has opened pre-registration for all three of its iGaming brands.

Operators that have confirmed plans to apply for Alberta registration, either publicly or to Canadian Gaming Business, include:

  • Bet99
  • BetMGM
  • BetRivers
  • Betty
  • Caesars
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • High Roller Technologies
  • NorthStar Gaming
  • PointsBet
  • PowerPlay
  • Soft2Bet
  • Super Group (Betway, Jackpot City, and others)
  • theScoreBet
  • TonyBet

SBC Summit Americas puts US prediction markets boom in spotlight

This year, SBC Summit Americas will host a dedicated Prediction Markets Forum to explore one of the fastest-growing and most debated verticals in the U.S.

Taking place on Thursday, June 11, as part of the Breakout Stage at the event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the forum will bring together operators, legal experts, and industry analysts to examine the rise of prediction markets, how sportsbooks are entering the sector, and the regulatory and integrity challenges shaping its future.

The four-session program will be chaired by Patrick Everson, sports betting analyst and contributor to FOX Sports.

The recent surge in prediction markets can be traced back to the 2024 presidential election, which catapulted event contracts into the mainstream. 

Since then, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics have all launched their own products in the space, while platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket continue to gain prominence through high-profile athlete sponsorships and multi-year league deals. Yet a growing wave of lawsuits and enforcement actions from states and gaming regulators, combined with conflicting federal court decisions, has left compliance obligations far from clear.

“Prediction markets will define the American market in 2026. But navigating the grey area between financial trading and traditional betting is creating real uncertainty for the sector,” said SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark. “This forum will bring together the people who are shaping this space to help the industry understand what comes next.”

From past to present

Kicking off the forum is the introductory session, ‘Prediction Markets 101‘. Speaker Dan Zucker (President, Zucker Media Group) will trace how event contracts evolved from 19th-century economic hedging to their emergence as a potential billion-dollar vertical. Along the way, he will unpack how prediction markets actually function, why they have accelerated so quickly, and what their rise means for today’s gambling landscape.

The last 18 months have seen a number of major U.S. operators expand into the world of prediction markets. During the session, ‘How Sportsbooks Are Entering the World of Event Contracts‘, experts Dr. Laila Mintas (CEO, Dr. Mintas Consulting), David Huffman (COO, Sporttrade), and Dustin Gouker (Founder, The Closing Line) will examine how and why the region’s biggest operators are making the move and whether state-by-state partnerships could prove essential in their strategy. 

‘A Question of Compliance and Integrity‘ will address the regulatory and compliance challenges facing prediction markets in the U.S. Legal specialist Dan Wallach (Partner, Wallach Legal) will examine the regulatory framework governing event contracts and discuss the lawsuits brought by states and land-based gaming groups and the compliance challenges facing operators.

Predicting the future

Looking ahead, ‘What’s the Future of Futures?‘ will examine the long-term impact of prediction markets on the betting industry. Speakers Ilya Beylin (Associate Professor, Seton Hall University School of Law), Robin D Hanson (Associate Professor, George Mason University), and Chris Gerlacher (Senior Political Reporter and Industry Analyst, Prediction News) will discuss the potential consequences of Supreme Court scrutiny and what the future may hold for land-based operators opposing prediction markets and online sportsbooks seeking to integrate them.

The topic will also be addressed on the Leaders Stage during the panel ‘The Current State of Prediction Markets in the U.S.‘, where Joshua B. Sterling (Partner, Milbank) and Alex Kane (CEO, Sporttrade) will examine how prediction markets are evolving across North America and how operators, regulators, and investors are responding to the rapidly changing landscape.

The Prediction Markets Forum forms part of SBC Summit Americas’ two-day conference program. Alongside the Breakout Stage, delegates can attend sessions covering sports betting and casino, payments and technology, regulation and compliance, affiliation, leadership, and player protection across North and Latin America.

Get your ticket to SBC Summit Americas

There’s no better time than now to secure your ticket to SBC Summit Americas, with a range of options available:

VIP Pass – Our VIP Passes are available for just US$700. You’ll have access to the full conference agenda, show floor, complimentary food at our Food Festival and our evening networking events!

Expo+ Pass: Includes access to the expo floor and all conference sessions (does not include access to evening networking events). Get Your Expo+ Pass at US$95.

Complimentary Operator and Affiliate passes: Operators and affiliates can apply for free passes for SBC Summit Americas, subject to approval. Apply for Your Complimentary Operator Pass | Apply for Your Complimentary Affiliate Pass

Future of Sport in Canada Commission recommends using sports betting revenue to fund sports

A new report published on Tuesday by the Future of Sport in Canada Commission recommended that the federal government should use tax revenue from sports betting to fund sports in Canada.

However, it also identified growing concerns over the potential for competition manipulation amid “dramatically evolving pressures” created by sports wagering.

In its near-1,000-page final report titled ‘Transforming Sport in Canada: Time for Action’, the Commission detailed the challenges that face Canada’s sports system amid complaints from various corners over a chronic lack of funding from the grassroots to the professional level.

“Many participants argued that the federal government needs to diversify its sources of funding to sustain federal funding for sport,” stated the report. “They shared a variety of proposals during our engagement activities …

“Many participants noted the significant potential of sport-betting taxation revenues as a new source of funding if the revenues were to be dedicated to sport and physical activity … Lotteries were also often mentioned as a possible dedicated revenue source for sport in Canada.”

Commission notes Olympic Committee’s calls

The report noted that in 2025, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee recommended to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance that the federal government should use federal tax revenues from single-sport betting to “stabilize” the Canadian sport system.

“During our engagement activities, many reiterated this suggestion,” noted the Commission’s new analysis.

November’s federal budget announcement, the first under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration, did not allocate any new sources of funding to National Sport Organizations (NSOs), meaning it is now 20 years since the last time core federal funding for NSOs was increased.

Data provided to Canadian Gaming Business last year by the COC suggested that Canada invests 0.082% of its federal budget on sport – equating to 0.011% of its GDP.

In contemporaneous dollars on a per-capita basis, this translates to spending $8 per capita on sport, significantly lower in comparison to France’s $950, Italy’s $130 and the United Kingdom’s $25.

Canada legalized it, so it should use it

The Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s new report noted that during its consultations, it received numerous suggestions that sports betting revenue could be specifically allocated to support sport development, NSOs, research and educational programs and improve the accessibility of sport programs.

Another suggestion that came up was that it could be used to provide assistance to those who suffer “from the harms of sport betting”.

“We heard a range of opinions about the value and ethics of lottery and sports betting revenues being dedicated to sport and physical activity,” added the report. “A majority of participants expressed support for reinvesting new revenues from sports betting to support sport. Some had serious reservations about sport betting and vehemently believe that it should be banned. They noted concerns about the possibility of addiction and its effect on the well-being of Canadians.

“Others voiced reservations, but concluded that because sport betting was legalized, the potential revenues should be invested in sport.”

A tax on pro sports?

The report added that while participants noted a wide variety of other potential funding sources unrelated to gambling, “some stated that these revenues would pale in comparison to the revenue-generating potential of sports betting and lotteries”.

One of the proposals raised by some consulting participants was the idea of implementing a tax on pro sports as an alternative or additional answer, wrote the Commission.

In its conclusion, one of the ultimate recommendations that the Commission made to the federal government was that it should explore additional sources of government revenue to ensure it has sustainable means to invest in sport and physical activity, including tax revenues from both sport betting and tax revenues from professional sports.

Sports betting a ‘monumental’ issue

Even in the context of a months-long review process and a 952-page final report, the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, led by former Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve, acknowledged that sports betting is such a complex issue that there simply was not enough time or resources to study it to the depth required.

“It was not possible to address all of the matters that participants raised during our engagement process or conduct an extensive review of them,” read a line in the report. “However, we wish to identify these issues so that they may be considered in future efforts to effect meaningful change.”

Issues that the Commission said it heard about but was unable to fully review included sporting competition manipulation and the “dramatically evolving pressures” introduced by sports betting.

“Participants involved in the Commission’s engagement activities also raised other areas to be considered in the Canadian Sport Governance Code, including anti-bribery and anti-corruption and awareness of emerging issues such as match fixing, gambling, and betting,” added the report.

Caesars to launch all three iGaming brands in Alberta

Given its longstanding brick-and-mortar casino presence and multi-brand iGaming approach to Ontario, it always seemed a safe bet that Caesars Entertainment would pursue the online gaming opportunity in Alberta.

The Las Vegas gaming giant announced on Monday that it has applied for an operator’s license and has opened pre-registration in the province, which is slated to launch its regulated commercial iGaming market in mid-2026.

Caesars is at least the 15th online gaming operator that has either already applied or intends to apply for registration in Alberta’s market, based on information made available publicly or directly to Canadian Gaming Business.

Caesars targets Alberta brand hat-trick

Caesars intends to launch all three of its online gaming brands when the Alberta market officially opens: Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino. Alberta residents can now sign up on any or all of those sites and get more information about the launch plans. In line with the company’s policy, only users aged 21 or older will be able to register.

Caesars will expect the three-pronged approach, which it also uses in four U.S. states (Michigan,New Jersey,Pennsylvania and West Virginia) and Ontario, to offer it the deepest digital footprint possible in the Alberta market. Caesars Palace and Horseshoe will offer a wide selection of slots, table games and live dealer content, while Caesars Sportsbook & Casino will host both iCasino and online sports betting.

“Opening pre‑registration is an important first step that allows players to prepare for launch while we finalize our plans to bring our full trifecta of platforms online in Alberta,” said Caesars Digital President Eric Hession. “We welcome the province’s continued progress toward a regulated online market and appreciate the Alberta iGaming Corporation’s work to support operators through this process.”

Dual Alberta market next stop for growing Caesars Digital

As it does in Ontario, Caesars will offer online casino in Alberta through all three of its online brands, as well as online sports betting via Caesars Sportsbook & Casino. It will be the sixth North American jurisdiction in which the historic land-based gaming giant offers both casino gaming and sports betting via mobile app.

The confirmation of the company’s Alberta plans also comes a few weeks after Hession and other executives reported a record year for Caesars Digital in North America on a full-year earnings call in February.

The company’s online gaming arm posted record annual revenue of nearly C$2bn, a 21% jump from 2024’s total, while its adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to more than C$300m.

Hession noted that online casino was a huge driver of that digital growth, despite Caesars only being able to offer the iCasino vertical in four states and Ontario as of today. As well as Alberta, the company may get another opportunity to deepen that footprint further, given that Maine, where Caesars already offers online sports betting, recently legalized online casino gaming.

More Canadian brick-and-mortar opportunities?

As well as its iGaming presence in Ontario, Caesars has run the Caesars Windsor casino on the border with Detroit for almost 30 years. Last May, it was selected by OLG to continue for another 20 years, reportedly beating out competing bids from Bally’s and Mohegan, and Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) officially announced the new long-term agreement began on March 3.

For now, the Windsor casino and its accompanying full-service retail Caesars Sportsbook remain the operator’s only branded land-based resort in Canada. There may be opportunities for that to change, given that Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will allow the province’s existing casinos, racing entertainment centres and professional sports teams to partner with licensed iGaming operators to run on-site retail sportsbooks.

Asked on the February call about potential land-based expansion in Canada, Caesars Chief Executive Officer Tom Reeg was hesitant about the idea.

“We would look elsewhere in Canada, but I’ll tell you, most of what you find in Canada, to get a property the scale of Windsor, you have to operate a number of very, very small properties in tough locations,” Reg mused. “And that’s not typically been interesting to us.”

Alberta’s minister responsible for the iGaming rollout, Dale Nally, told Canadian Gaming Business earlier this year that iGaming operators and land-based casinos in Alberta pushed for the retail sportsbook opportunity as an additional source of revenue in the market.

Soft2Bet touts its dual advantage for Alberta iGaming

Online gaming operator and services provider Soft2Bet intends to be in Alberta when the province launches commercial regulated iGaming later this year.

The company announced this week that it is seeking regulatory approval both to operate a B2C online gaming platform and to offer B2B services to other participants in the province’s upcoming market.

Soft2Bet joins a queue of operators that have applied for registration in Alberta, including FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings,theScore Bet, Bet99,BetRivers, Super Group’s Betway and other brands, PointsBet, Betty Gaming, TonyBet and more.

The company said that entry into Alberta will be the next step in its plan to enter several new regulated jurisdictions as it looks to sustainably scale up its operations.

A two-pronged approach

Unlike many of the nearly 50 operators that are live in Ontario, Soft2Bet offers both a B2C site and B2B services in the province, something it said gives it a leg up on the competition.

“Our dual B2B and B2C model in Ontario gives us a very practical advantage as we look at Alberta,” Soft2Bet General Counsel David Yatom Hay told Canadian Gaming Business this week. “It’s not only about understanding our partners, it’s about operating in the same environment ourselves and being able to translate that experience directly into product and technology.

“Because we run B2C operations, we’re constantly collecting real-time insights on player behaviour, preferences, and local market dynamics. At the same time, we have full control over our technology stack, which allows us to adapt quickly, whether that’s compliance requirements, product features or player engagement tools.

“From a B2B perspective, this puts us in a strong position to support operators entering Alberta. We’re offering tools that are already tested and optimized in a live environment. Having both perspectives allows us to understand the operational challenges our partners face and translate them into practical, scalable solutions.”

Ontario-licensed ToonieBet may not be Alberta brand

Soft2Bet has been active as a licensed iGaming operator in Ontario since late 2024, when it launched its ToonieBet platform in the province.

As the name suggests, its focus has been on offering an authentically Canadian brand that leans on localization to appeal to the province’s consumers. Chief Product Officer Yoel Zuckerberg told SBC Leaders magazine last year that applies across all elements of the ToonieBet brand, from the design and tone to the use of Canadian animals, sports and landmarks.

“The tremendous response we received with ToonieBet in Ontario showed us what the Canadian market is capable of when you prioritize engaging, personalized experiences,” Yatom Hay told Canadian Gaming Business this week.

“The hyper-local approach was a key part of our success in Ontario. We created a product that resonated with the regional audience, and we can exercise the same strategy again in Alberta. There will be differences in customers, regulations, and preferences, but that’s where our work fine-tuning the user experience comes into play.”

However, just because it has made inroads in Ontario does not mean that ToonieBet will necessarily be the brand that the company chooses to face Albertans.

“We recognize that Alberta is a distinctly different region with its own unique demographics, competitive landscape, and upcoming regulatory framework,” he said. “We have not reached a final decision on extending the ToonieBet brand. However, whether it’s ToonieBet or another brand, it will deliver a localized, engaging experience that genuinely resonates with Albertan players.”

More sports partnerships worth exploring?

In its first few months in Ontario, ToonieBet secured landmark partnerships with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

While the Sens deal has expired, the multi-year CFL sponsorship arrangement, which made ToonieBet an official sports betting and online casino partner of the league, is still active. That collaboration includes live odds integrations on CFL.ca and LCF.ca, offering a real-time betting experience connected to official league content.

“It’s part of our broader strategy to localize our offering, making sure that our product, our brand and our engagement approach genuinely resonate with players in each jurisdiction we enter,” added Yatom Hay of the CFL deal.

“When looking at Alberta, the same principle applies, regardless of the brand we bring to market. If we identify the right partnerships, we will pursue them. The objective is not simply visibility, but relevance, ensuring that the experience we offer feels tailored to Alberta players and connected to the sports they care about. These types of partnerships are important for building trust and familiarity in a new market.”

Authenticity and relevance top of mind

Ultimately, whichever brand Soft2Bet utilizes in Alberta, the core approach will be the same as Ontario: Understand the players and the province, tailor the offering, and pursue an authentic feel.

“What we’ve seen in Ontario is that a localized, player-first approach genuinely resonates, and that’s something we carry into every new market we enter,” concluded Yatom Hay. “Our starting point in Alberta will be the same.

“We’ll take the time to understand the local player base, their preferences and behaviours, and the broader cultural context around sports and entertainment. From there, we’ll adapt our product, whether that is content, user experience, promotions, or engagement mechanics, so that it feels relevant rather than imported.

“The underlying philosophy remains consistent, but the execution in Alberta will be tailored specifically to that market, ensuring that the product reflects local expectations and evolves alongside them.”

TonyBet joins Canadian Gaming Association with eyes on Alberta

European operator TonyBet is the newest member of theCanadian Gaming Association (CGA) as it plans for expansion into Alberta.

The Ontario-licensed sportsbook and casino has joined the industry trade association as it continues to invest in growing in the Canadian market. TonyBet has been live in the regulated Ontario market since 2023 after receiving its Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) license in late 2022, and also offers online gaming elsewhere in Canada via a Kahnawake Gaming Commission license.

The Latvia-headquartered company said in a release that signing up as a CGA member reflects its dedication to upholding responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, and player protection standards, as well as its commitment to supporting the broader development of Canada’s regulated gaming industry.

“Joining the Canadian Gaming Association reflects our belief that the long-term success of regulated gaming in Canada depends on operators and regulators working together,” said TonyBet Chief Executive Officer Dmitry Arabuli.

“Canada has been one of our strongest growth stories – registrations nearly doubled in 2025, thanks to localized operations, integrated compliance, and prioritizing player protection. The CGA advances the same principles across the industry, and we are committed to supporting this through sharing our expertise, promoting responsible gaming, and advocating for consistent high standards for all operators.”

Alberta firmly in TonyBet’s plan

TonyBet will also benefit from CGA membership as it plans to expand into a second regulated Canadian market, Alberta, when that province opens its doors to commercial iGaming brands later this year.

“We have ambitious, long-term plans for Alberta and see it as an important market for our expansion,” A TonyBet spokesperson told Canadian Gaming Business this week.

“We welcome the well-structured approach of local authorities, especially the focus on player protection and responsible gaming. Having already built strong compliance systems and operational infrastructure in similar regulated environments, we are confident in our readiness and look forward to working closely with Alberta’s regulators.”

TonyBet is one of numerous Ontario-licensed operators knocking at the door to launch in Alberta, including Bet99, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment’s theScore Bet, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers, Soft2Bet, Super Group’s Betway and other brands, and more.

CGA President and CEO Paul Burns added that TonyBet’s presence in Canada and CGA membership reflect the continued momentum of the regulated market.

“As the industry evolves, collaboration across operators and stakeholders remains critical, and we look forward to their engagement,” Burns added.

TonyBet strikes Canadian sports league deals

TonyBet said it prides itself on delivering a localized experience tailored to Canadian players’ preferences and expectations, including locally relevant sports betting markets and regionally adapted promotions.

To that end, it signed a multiyear deal with the Canadian Premier League in 2023 to become the CPL’s official sports betting and online casino partner. Last May, it struck a similar sponsorship deal with the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).

TonyBet also recently partnered with licensed iGaming content aggregator St8, allowing it to offer a wide range of titles from leading providers as well as St8’s bonusing and promotional tools, compliance and licensing solutions, advanced reporting and data capabilities.

Alberta will not allow betting on political elections

When Alberta launches commercial online gambling this year, betting on elections and other political events will be banned.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) confirmed the new rule has been added to its Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming (SRIG) in a bulletin issued on Tuesday.

“AGLC is committed to reviewing policies to meet the needs of stakeholders, while maintaining an effective regulatory environment,” stated the commission, which will be the regulatory body in the province’s iGaming market. “As a result, a policy amendment has been made to Section 4.6 of the SRIG … to prohibit betting on political events (e.g., elections, by-elections, leadership contests).”

Wagers on political events have been added to the list of prohibited wagers in Alberta’s SRIG, selection that already included “reasonably objectionable” wagers such as bets on human suffering, death, or non-consensual violence; bets on animal fighting or cruelty; bets on assets and financial markets such as stocks or currencies; bets which mimic the structure of financial instruments, products or markets; and bets on minor league sports in Canada.

“Alberta’s gaming market has stayed clear of political event betting since single-event wagering was permitted beginning in 2021,” an AGLC spokesperson told Canadian Gaming Business. “As we progress towards an open iGaming market later in 2026, AGLC updated its policies to give better clarity to operators that may seek to establish a presence in the province.”

Alberta breaks from Ontario

While Alberta has largely followed Ontario’s iGaming playbook in building the framework for its own upcoming market, by prohibiting bets on politics, it has taken a stance that differs notably from the position of Canada’s first and so far only regulated iGaming province.

In provinces outside Ontario, including in Alberta as of right now, the respective crown lottery corporation is the only authorized gaming operator. Those platforms do not tend to offer bets on Canadian politics. After all, a government-run betting site offering bets on what might happen within or to the government is an inherent conflict of interest at face value.

But the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) allows its nearly 50 licensed operators to offer some bets on politics if they so wish, including on Canadian or foreign elections.

The AGCO’s own standards for iGaming define “novelty event” bets, defined as “any bet placed on a non-sporting event where real-world factual occurrences are the contingency on which an outcome is determined.” The regulator confirmed to Canadian Gaming Business last year that wagers on political events fall under that category, although specific markets are subject to AGCO approval.

Political betting has generally been a more controversial and higher-profile topic in the U.S. than in Canada, particularly as event contracts offered by prediction market platforms such as Kalshi have risen to prominence over the last couple of years. Some states explicitly ban betting on elections, such as Arizona, which filed a criminal complaint against Kalshi in state court this week, claiming a violation of that ban.

Ontario sportsbooks pursued political betting

In contrast, in the run-up to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s win in the April 2025 Canadian federal election, Ontario residents could gamble on the outcome at a wide range of leading sportsbooks including FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, theScore Bet, PointsBet, Bet99, Sports Interaction and many more.

In a story that was published in the June 2025 issue of Canadian Gaming Business magazine, a FanDuel spokesperson explained that the leading sportsbook considers political betting to be similar to sports in that it offers outright winners and futures.

“Our team specializes in building markets that touch the most topical storylines across sports, entertainment, pop culture, and even politics,” said the spokesperson. “Our goal is to engage in the conversations that our customers are already having, offering odds on the moments that resonate.” However, FanDuel stressed that its novelty markets in Ontario, including politics, have low restrictions on how much users can stake on a bet on a political market.

Other Ontario-licensed operators also offered comment to Canadian Gaming Business last year.

“Given how passionate the political climate is in North America currently, combined with the wide spectrum of opinions that naturally follow political races, political betting has developed into a viable betting market category,” said a BetVictor Canada spokesperson. “Wagers are made by customers for one reason: they have an opinion on which side will prevail in a contest. Political betting follows that playbook exactly, allowing customers to express their opinions on the expected probability of a certain outcome.”

In Alberta, though, the crowd of operators that have registered to do business in the province will have to adjust their betting menus accordingly.

Saskatchewan casinos and PlayNow outperforming expectations

Land-based and online gaming in Saskatchewan generated more revenue than expected for the province’s First Nations and Métis communities in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The provincial government announced on Tuesday that the strong performance of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) casinos, SaskGaming properties and the PlayNow.com online platform raised $153.5m in gaming revenue payments for Saskatchewan’s Indigenous organizations, an increase of $46m on what was projected in the 2025-26 budget.

That not only outperformed expectations for this fiscal year, but demonstrated strong growth from the previous period. In 2024-25, regulated gaming in Saskatchewan generated $120.6m for First Nations and Métis, $12.5m ahead of expectations. So, those total revenue contributions increased 27% year over year.

“At a time when community strength is more vital than ever, these agreements ensure funding flows to the places where Indigenous people gather, celebrate and build strong futures,” said Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz. “This increase of $46m will help support programs and build opportunities that improve communities.”

Saskatchewan shares the gaming wealth

Via SIGA’s profit-sharing model, 50% of net profits from SIGA casino gaming goes to the First Nations Trust, which distributes the money to the 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. Another 25% goes to the province’s Community Development Corporations, which distribute funds for initiatives including economic and infrastructure development in areas surrounding SIGA casinos. Another portion of the revenue goes to the Clarence Campeau Development Fund, which supports Métis entrepreneurship and economic development.

Non-profit corporation SIGA operates seven casinos in the province as well as Saskatchewan’s only regulated iGaming and sports betting site, PlayNow.com. Last summer, SIGA reported its best-ever annual results for the third year in a row, with $378m in gross revenue for the 12 months ended March 31, 2025. Net income was $146m this year.

Meanwhile, SaskGaming operates two other casinos, Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw, in the province.

Province’s casino upgrades reap reward

Saskatchewan’s uptick in gaming revenue proceeds for First Nations and Métis in 2025-26 came after the province invested in upgrades to its casino gaming industry in the prior fiscal year.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) approved Vancouver-based Jackpot Digital in late 2024 to supply its electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables to its seven casinos. That came after the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) also increased the number of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province through deals with Inspired Entertainment and International Game Technology (IGT).

In October 2024, after those additions to its casinos, SIGA launched its new SIGA Rewards loyalty program, aimed at providing players with exclusive rewards and personalized offers.

Meanwhile, progress is being made in the ongoing expansion of Dakota Dunes Casino (pictured), one of the largest SIGA-operated casinos, located south of Saskatoon on the land of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. SIGA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December 2025 to celebrate the completion of Phase 1, which involved adding 11,500 feet of new gaming floor space to the casino.

Government outlines next year’s expectations

In a separate release issued on Thursday, the provincial government noted that its 2026-27 fiscal year budget includes a projected $137.9m in gaming revenue payments for First Nations and Métis organizations.

That constitutes a $30.5m increase over the budgeted amount for 2025-26, but is $15.6m short of the actual realized payments total in 2025-26. amounts.