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Development of sports betting by province
Starting point: C-218 and singles
On June 29, 2021, Bill C-218 received royal assent, and on August 27, 2021, amendments to paragraph 207 (4) (b) of the Criminal Code entered into force, allowing bets on single events (single-event) and transferring them to provinces/territories. The exception remained with the feds: pari mutuel for the races.
Ontario is the only "open" market
On August 27, 2021, OLG State Corporation launched PROLINE +, a digital sports book with single bets; on the same day, retail updated PROLINE for "singles."
On April 4, 2022, the iGaming Ontario open market started: private brands operate under AGCO registration and an agreement with iGO (including commercial sports books).
Advertising and RG. From February 28, 2024, Ontario is prohibited from using current athletes in iGaming ads; celebrity endorsers are also limited.
Bottom line: in Ontario, both PROLINE + and licensed private sports books under iGO are available - this is Canada's most competitive market.
BC/Manitoba/Saskatchewan - PlayNow Ecosystem
British Columbia (BCLC): Single Stakes on PlayNow. com available from August 27, 2021; for the first year - $170 + million single-event bets.
Manitoba (MBLL + BCLC): PlayNow is the only legal online platform, "singles" have been announced since the adoption of the C-218.
Saskatchewan (SIGA/SaskGaming + BCLC): November 3, 2022 launched PlayNow Saskatchewan (online casino and sports). Prior to launching online, "singles" operated via SPORT SELECT (WCLC).
Bottom line: Three provinces in the West share the same PlayNow technology stack with a full line of RG markets and tools.
Alberta - PlayAlberta now, liberalisation opportunity later
PlayAlberta (AGLC) included "singles" on September 1, 2021 - shortly after the C-218 entered.
An attempt to expand the market at the expense of private operators (RFP-2021) has not advanced; in 2024, steps were taken to a possible commercial admission, but online so far the only operator is PlayAlberta.
Quebec - Mise-o-jeu + (Loto-Québec)
Loto-Québec officially noted: from August 27, 2021, single-event is available in Mise-o-jeu + (online and retail).
Atlantic - PRO • LINE Stadium (ALC) in all four provinces
Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) offers an online sports book PRO • LINE Stadium with single markets for NB, NL, PEI, NS.
Nova Scotia (NS) became the last province, connecting the "singles" on February 11, 2022 - just in time for the Super Bowl.
Territories of the North - via WCLC (SPORT SELECT) offline
WCLC upgraded SPORT SELECT in late 2021 with the addition of single-game, real-time odds and futures (retail bets; online access restricted by jurisdiction). The network covers Yukon, NWT and Nunavut.
What to choose for the player - a quick guide to the province
ON - PROLINE + (OLG) and private licensed sports books (iGaming Ontario). Strict advertising standards (banning athletes).
BC / MB / SK — PlayNow (BCLC; in SK - together with SIGA/SaskGaming). Retail: SPORT SELECT.
AB - PlayAlberta (AGLC) as the only online platform; retail - SPORT SELECT.
QC - Mise-o-jeu + (Loto-Québec) online and at point of sale.
NB/NL/PEI/NS - PRO • LINE Stadium (ALC) online and retail; NS connected in February 2022.
YT/NT/NU - SPORT SELECT (WCLC) at retail; single-event is available after upgrade (depends on local coverage).
Trends 2024-2025: what we see in the windows
1. Vertical casinos dominate monetization, but live markets and player props are growing in sports (especially ON with operator competition).
2. Advertising standards are tightening: Ontario sets the bar (restrictions on athletes/celebrities), other markets are comfortable remaining "quieter marketing" for lottery brands.
3. UX unification in state ecosystems (PlayNow/PROLINE/PlayAlberta/ALC): biometrics, limits, self-exclusion and fast identification are the basic minimum. (It follows from the releases of operators about the launch of a single-event and platform modernization.)
Frequent questions
Where in Canada can you legally bet on single events online?
In all provinces - through their official platforms (PROLINE +, PlayNow, PlayAlberta, Mise-o-jeu +, PRO • LINE Stadium). Territories mainly use SPORT SELECT in retail.
How is Ontario different?
In addition to the PROLINE + lottery, ON has a commercial iGO market with many licensed sports books and the strictest advertising rules.
When did the "singles" appear?
The law entered into force on August 27, 2021; PROLINE + (ON) and PlayNow (BC/MB) started on this day, PlayAlberta soon joined (September 1, 2021), ALC in all Atlantic provinces (NS - February 11, 2022), PlayNow Saskatchewan - November 3, 2022.
And horse racing?
Their pari mutuel remains under federal jurisdiction - this has not changed with the adoption of the C-218.
C-218 gave the provinces the right to single-event betting with 27. 08. 2021.
Ontario is the only region with an open market for private sports books (iGO) plus PROLINE +.
BC/MB/SK - PlayNow ecosystem; AB — PlayAlberta; QC — Mise-o-jeu+; Atlantic — PRO•LINE Stadium; territory - SPORT SELECT (WCLC).
Advertising in ON has been tightened since 2024 (ban of athletes), and state-owned operators in the country have priority - a responsible game and "quiet" communication.
This is how the "provincial puzzle" of sports betting in Canada works: everywhere - legal "singles," but the models are different - from competitive Ontario to lottery monoplatforms in the West and the Atlantic.