Online Gambling Perspectives in Canada

Introductory: Mosaic Jurisdictions and Ontario's Growth Point

The Canadian online marketplace is a provincial regulation plus a separate Ontario commercial model (private operators when registered with AGCO and contracted with iGaming Ontario). The Ontario market started on April 4, 2022 and remains the main driver of competition, product and compliance.

Marketing and responsible play: a course towards tightening

After the launch, the market went through a phase of "reconfiguration" of communications: AGCO banned public advertising of "inducing" offers (bonuses/loans) outside the operator's website and channels with the player's explicit consent; also limited the use of athletes and celebrities, strengthening the protection of youth. In 2025, the regulator clarified the requirements for behavioral monitoring: operators are required to identify a risky game in real time and respond. The result is a more mature, "responsible" ecosystem.

Sportbetting as a catalyst: Bill C-218 effect

Federal amendments to the Criminal Code (Bill C-218) legalized single-event betting - this is the foundation for competitive products and local integrations in the provinces and Ontario. The amendments entered into force on August 27, 2021 and have already been integrated into the regulation of provinces and AGCO standards.

"Second wave" of liberalization: a look at Alberta

In 2025, Alberta publicly moved towards a model with private operators (similar to Ontario): the government issued an initiative to open the market, and AGLC is preparing the platform for competition. This is the main direction for the expansion of Canadian "open" iGaming outside Ontario in 2026 +.

Kahnawà: ke sovereign jurisdiction: a course for strengthening

Kahnawà community: ke in 2025 approved a new mandate for the Gaming Working Group - to protect and develop its own jurisdiction (including online). This is a signal to the active role of Kahnawà: ke in negotiating, collaborating and promoting its regulatory positions in a pan-Canadian context.

What it means for players and operators

• More locally regulated options (especially in Ontario; potentially in Alberta), clear RG tools and secure payments.
• Less aggressive advertising and transparent bonus rules (due to AGCO standards).

• You will have to compete with the product and UX, and not with promotional noise: content, live casino, local payments (Interac), verification and withdrawal speed.
• Growth of operational requirements: behavioral monitoring, early intervention, control of marketing and affiliates (penalty practice persists).

Technology trends 2025-2030

Personalized RG and real-time risk scoring. AGCO requirements will push the market to implement data models, security triggers and smart default limits.

Content acceleration. Live portfolio expansions, on-premises studios, and exclusives for Ontario's provincial platforms and operators.

Frictionless payments. Strengthening Interac-rails, "instant" conclusions and cash desks with fewer steps are the standard for retention.

Infrastructure and compliance. Providers and studios will actively undergo Canadian certification in order to enter new provinces faster as they open.

Development scenarios up to 2030

1. Basic (most likely). Ontario maintains lead; Alberta Launches Competitive Market in 2026-2027; the remaining provinces remain on state platforms, but expand the catalog and RG functions. Competition shifts to UX/payments/content.

2. Accelerated. Alberta's positive experience encourages another 1-2 provinces to partially liberalize by the end of the decade; inter-provincial coordination of standards (marketing, RG, KYC/AML) is strengthened. (Inference based on AGCO trends and provincial practice.)

3. Conservative. Ontario remains the only "open" market, the rest of the provinces are developing state platforms; emphasis on RG and social goals, less on private competition. (Inference if political risks intensify.)

Practice checklist 2025-2026

1. Check legality: in Ontario - iGaming Ontario/AGCO logo; in other provinces - the official website of the lottery corporation.

2. Evaluate the RG set and bonus policy: the lack of public clickbait is the norm, not the minus.

1. Prepare behavioral analytics and early intervention procedures (critical for AGCO compliance).

2. Follow Alberto: early-mover advantage in a new competitive market.

3. Consider the role of Kahnawà: ke in partnerships and legal dialogue.

Canada's iGaming is entering a maturity phase: Ontario has set the standard for competitive market and rigorous RG/marketing; Alberta is preparing to repeat the model by expanding the map of "open" jurisdictions; Kahnawà: ke strengthens the sovereign position. Until 2030, smart compliance, frictionless payments and content depth will become drivers - within the framework of transparent rules and social responsibility.