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On the eve of the opening of Alberta’s regulated sports betting and igaming market, the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming was joined by a couple of gaming industry veterans who are plugged into the opening of Canada’s second regulated, competitive gambling jurisdiction.
GNCS regular and Canadian Gaming Association Senior VP of Policy & Communication Amanda Brewer spoke about the feedback she has received from CGA members and others in the gambling business during the countdown to opening day in Alberta. Brewer also referred to the lessons learned from four-plus years of regulated online gaming in Ontario and had an interesting response to a question from host Steve McAllister about the potential differences between the presence of the provincial gaming and lottery corporations in the two provinces.
We also asked Brewer about the ongoing presence of fake online casino ads on Meta platforms.
McAllister then welcomed Rich Taylor, the Director of Responsible Gaming at BetMGM. Taylor, a retired Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, told his story of serving his country and then finding his way into the gambling industry.
Taylor spoke about the reaction from BetMGM customers to the most recent responsible gambling ad campaign featuring NHL superstar Connor McDavid and Newfoundland hockey legend Terry Ryan and if the Edmonton Oilers captain will appear in future RG-focused commercials – which are allowed by both the AGCO and AGLC in its rules and regulations around advertising and marketing.
That led to a conversation on BetMGM’s responsible gaming efforts which include its partnership with BCLC’s GameSense platform. Taylor, the author of an op-ed last week that appeared on various Canadian media websites, also talked about the multi-dimensional approach taken by BetMGM to support safe play.
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Alberta’s move to a regulated iGaming model on the 13th July of this year represents a significant step forward for Canada’s digital gaming market, setting clear expectations for robust identity verification, fraud prevention and compliance from day one.
As the market takes shape, you can be confident you’re working with a proven partner. We already support more than 65% of licensed operators in Ontario, helping them meet FINTRAC‑compliant KYC requirements at scale, without compromising speed or player experience.
For more on GBG Plc, visit our website.
What Ontario’s experience can teach Canada’s next regulated market
More than three years after the launch of Ontario’s regulated online gaming market, the industry has evolved significantly. Increased competition, greater player choice, and enhanced responsible gaming measures have helped shape one of North America’s most closely watched iGaming jurisdictions.
For Betty, those lessons are especially relevant as Alberta prepares to open its own regulated market.
“Ontario has shown what’s possible when operators compete on product, experience, and player trust,” says Chavdar Dimitrov, CEO of Betty Gaming Canada. “The market has matured considerably over the past three years, and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring those learnings to Alberta as the province prepares to enter its next chapter.”
As Canada’s regulated gaming landscape continues to evolve, operators, regulators, and players alike will be watching closely to see how Alberta builds on the foundation Ontario has established.
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