Alberta minister in charge of launching online gambling facing potential recall vote
Dale Nally is one of 14 Alberta UCP MLAs targeted by petitions calling for a recall vote. Senators call on Carney for a ban on betting ads, it's another big month in Ontario, and more fake ads.
Dale Nally, the Alberta minister in charge of launching an open online gambling sector, may have his hands full on another front. He is one of 14 United Conservative Party (UCP) Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) facing a recall petition from his constituents.
As CBC reported Monday, it seems to be part of a grassroots action from citizens either upset the ruling Conservatives used the nothwithstanding clause in October to force striking teachers back to work, or from those unhappy that their MLA isn’t “responsive to community concerns or aren’t engaging with their constituents.”
Elections Alberta confirmed that signatures can now officially be collected in the nine districts (that number grew to 14 yesterday). In any district in which enough signatures are collected over the next three months, a vote will be held to determine whether that MLA keeps their seat.
Nally, the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, represents Morinville-St. Albert. He is in charge of introducing the province’s online gambling market, which is expected to launch early in 2026. He said in a statement that he believes the person who filed to remove him is acting as a proxy for an activist group hoping to force an early election call.
Nally’s petitioner Joshua Eberhart said, “As a taxpayer, two of the things that I value most are education and health care, and I think they’re being mismanaged a little bit by our current government, which includes my local representative.”
Meanwhile, the Conservatives – which enacted the petition rules back in 2021 – are crying foul at the petition movement, saying it was intended for complete misconduct only not citizens disagreeing with the direction of the government.
The UCP currently holds a nine-seat advantage over the NDP in the Alberta legislature. Should the petitioners succeed in recalling all nine UCP MLAs – which is a longshot – it would make things very interesting in the legislature and for the launch of new regulated sports betting and igaming industry that’s expected to attract many operators currently doing business in Ontario.
Stay tuned.
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In other political news, Senators call for sports betting ad ban
On another petition front, 40 Canadian senators have sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney asking the federal government to ban sports betting ads.
As Tom Nightingale wrote in Canadian Gaming Business, “The politicians called for Carney’s federal government to use the legislative and regulatory powers at its disposal to ban all advertising for sports betting websites and apps nationwide, labeling it a public health problem.”
Outright prohibition seems like an overreaction considering:
Sports betting ads are outnumbered by ads for many other products.
Betting ads have declined as the Ontario online gambling market has matured.
Bell Media’s recent round of layoffs points, in part, to the fact that there is not enough ad revenue to support the production of programming, especially at sports networks TSN and Sportsnet which have both drastically cut talent, production people and original programming across TV, radio and digital in recent years.
Ontario smashed online gambling revenue record in October
October was a record-breaking month for Ontario online gambling revenue by a wide margin, according to figures released by iGaming Ontario. The $367.7 million in gross gaming revenue for October bested the previous best month ($338 million in May of 2025) by 9%. It was the seventh straight month total online revenue has surpassed $300 million and the eighth time in history.
The surge was, again, led by online casino revenue. Last month, Ontario set a record for online casino revenue with $303.8 million. The total was up 9% from the previous best month ($277.8 million in September). It was the first time the province has surpassed $300 million in online casino revenue alone.
Sports betting revenue of $58.3 million was up 25% in October after being down 23% in September (to $46.5 million), undoubtedly aided by the Toronto Blue Jays’ run to the World Series - and their seven-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, Ontario’s sports betting numbers have been relatively soft compared to a boom in many U.S. states of late.
Online poker revenue was up from $5.1 million in September to $5.6 million in October.
For the year, total online gambling revenue has now exceeded $3.2 billion through the first 10 months of 2025. At this pace, expect the total to exceed $3.8 billion for the entire year.
By sector through the first 10 months of 2025, the revenue is as follows:
online casinos — $2.534 billion (79% of the total revenue)
sports betting — $613.8 million (19%)
online poker — $58.1 million (2%)
Lifetime, Ontario’s total online gambling revenue now exceeds $9.37 billion and likely will surpass the $10 billion threshold by the end of 2025. The market opened in April of 2022 and is currently home to 48 operators.
Fake online casino ads are back in full force on Meta platform
Meta has found itself in a(nother) bit of a legal mess.
The owners of Facebook and Instagram are accused of halting internal research that apparently showed people who halted using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to a legal filing released Friday. The legal brief, as CNBC reported, is related to “high-profile multidistrict litigation from plaintiffs such as school districts, parents and state attorneys general against companies like Meta, YouTube, Snap and TikTok.
The CNBC report came out a day before reporting by Time Magazine’s Charlotte Alter that according to the same unsealed court filing, “sex trafficking on Meta platforms was both difficult to report and widely tolerated”.
Why mention this in a newsletter covering the business of gaming, you ask? Well, we’ve also reached out to Meta for a response to a flurry of fake online casino ads that have come a tumbling down our Instagram feed over the past month. Many of these ads tend to try and exploit land-based casino entities such as Woodbine, Casino Rama and Great Canadian Entertainment properties like Pickering Casino Resort Hotel.
To wit:
Gaming News Canada contacted Woodbine Entertainment Group and received this succinct statement from communications guru Jamie Dykstra:
“Woodbine has no online casino, and we are aware of fraudulent ads circulating on social platforms that misuse our name and brand. These ads are misleading to consumers and have no connection to Woodbine. We actively report them and continue to push platform operators to remove these scams promptly.”
Dave Briggs wrote in a mid-July edition of the GNC that Meta had unveiled a more diligent authorization process for gambling ads on both Instagram and Facebook through the Permissions and Verifications process in the Business Suite.
At that time, Briggs wrote:
Minor kudos to Meta for finally doing something about ads on its platform which are designed to scam consumers. Though, why did this take so long and will this actually be effective?
To the second question, we answer . . . . not yet.
As Briggs wrote in July, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario said it doesn’t have jurisdiction over illegal sites and provided this statement to us earlier in the year:
“Ontarians who choose to gamble online are encouraged to always confirm that the website they are playing on is registered with the AGCO. Other than the Ontario Lottery and Gaming website, OLG.ca, which is owned and regulated by the Ontario government, players can be assured that a website is regulated if the iGaming Ontario logo appears on the website and in ads. Players can also look up the name of the gaming site on the iGaming Ontario database to determine if the site is regulated.”
During his most recent appearance on the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, Canadian Gaming Association president/CEO Paul Burns told Steve McAllister that the CGA has referred some cases of fake gaming brand ads to the Ontario Provincial Police, adding the problem isn’t only unique to social media platforms in Ontario.
“This is a global problem,” said Burns on the podcast. “The International Association of Gaming Regulators has convened a committee to deal with this and to deal with the social media platforms.”
“There are people running sites that are fraudulent in all parts of the world. (Monitoring and removing fake ads) is something the platforms ultimately have control over, and they need to take more responsibility for what they’re taking money from.”
Gaming News Canada has reached out three times over the past two weeks to the communications team at Meta for a response to our reporting, and are awaiting a response.
Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport has a new handle
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is no longer. As a brand, that is.
News landed in our inbox yesterday afternoon that henceforth the CCES will be known as Sport Integrity Canada. The Ottawa-based organization has undergone a makeover of sorts recently, including assuming responsibility for building and implementing a “new national-level safe sport program in Canada”. The agency has also created the Canadian Program to Prevent Competition Manipulation while continuing to operate the Canadian Anti-Doping Program.
In its 2025-28 strategic plan, Sport Integrity Canada will concentration on three program areas: safe sport, anti-doping and competition manipulation. The plan “outlines how we will address emerging threats to, and opportunities for, sport integrity as our organization and scope evolve”.
“Given these developments, we believe a change in name to Sport Integrity Canada more accurately describes our new identity and future direction serving the public interest by protecting and promoting integrity in sport,” said Jeremy Luke, CEO and president in the news release.
At GNC HQ, we’re working to get Luke as our guest on the Gaming News Canada Show to talk about Sport Integrity Canada’s latest efforts around match fixing given the recent wave of betting scandals involving NBA, MLB and UFC participants.
Prevost, Davidson appear on back-to-back Gaming News Canada shows
There have been two new episodes of the Gaming News Canada Show — presented by Bede Gaming — since our last newsletter.
Most recently, host Steve McAllister spoke to BetMGM’s chief revenue officer Matt Prevost on a wide range of topics.
You can listen to that show here or watch it here:
Last week, McAllister interviewed Mitch Davidson, the vice president, policy for Canadian public affairs firm Enterprise Canada.
Previously, Davidson was the chief of staff at iGaming Ontario and, before that, was the director of policy for the Premier’s Office.
You can listen to that show here or watch it here:
People on the Move
Last week was a lousy one for the industry with more layoffs at theScore – this time impacting its esports team - Aussie business Star Entertainment Group letting go up to 40 senior staff, and Entain trimming 10% of its workforce in New Zealand and Austrialia.
Diallo Gordon will be promoted from President to CEO of Pavilion Payments, effective Jan. 1. Current CEO Dan Conners will slide into the Executive Chair’s. . . er. . . chair.
NEXT.io appoints journalism veteran Jake Evans as Global Editor-In-Chief.
Claire Crain, ex of Aristocrat, is named Account Executive at NeoPollard Interactive.
Dimokratis Papadimos is the new Director of Account Management at Enjoy Gaming.
Gabriel (Invert) Zoltan-Johan joins Jonathon (kamikazplatypus) McDaniel as co-Chairs of the Competitive National Council at Esport Canada.
Amanda Tersigni, formerly of Eaton Gate Gaming and Rivalry, joins DraftKings as Senior Product Manager, Sports Intelligence.
Matt O’Brien departs his Chief Partnerships Officer gig with the Cleveland Cavaliers to become the Senior VP, Global Commercial Revenue for the Chicago Bears.
Reetu Gupta joins the ownership team of the WNBA Toronto Tempo.
Susan Irving is the new Chair of the Board of Directors for Canadian Women & Sport while Hannah Parish and Leah McNabb will join Irving on the board.
Mike Kutti, formerly of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, joins Toronto agency Cimoroni as Director, Partnerships.
The CEBL Scarborough Shooting Stars appoint Melanie Jay as Vice President, Business Operations and name Freya Arsiwals as Director, Marketing & Merchandising. And Brandon Wells joins the franchise as Manager, Ticketing & Operations.
Classified (Jobs) Information
On the Home Front
Hard Rock Digital has a number of openings in Toronto for its soon-to-launch Ontario business.
Legend/Covers is in the market for a Senior App Developer.
Atlantic Lottery is searching for a Data Engineer.
Bet99 is looking for a Frontend Developer and a Payment Operations Manager.
Betty is on the hunt for a Graphic Designer.
FanDuel is seeking a Commercial Associate for its Toronto offices.
Great Canadian Entertainment has an opportunity in Belleville, ON, for a Regional Manager – Security.
Loto-Québec is seeking an Architect – Planning and Expertise.
PointsBet Canada has a paid, part-time opportunity for a college/university student in a Content Creator/Actor role. If interested, please email edie.park@pointsbet.ca with your application.
Right To Play is searching for a Director, Global Partnerships.
Your Toronto Blue Jays are on the lookout for a Graphic Designer.
The Toronto Tempo is in the market for a Director, Venue Operations.
Wanted at Canadian Football League HQ: a Manager, People & Office Operations.
Tennis Canada has an opportunity for a Manager, Lifecycle Marketing at its Toronto offices.
Ontario Soccer is seeking a Manager, PR & Communications.
The CEBL Ottawa BlackJacks are looking for a Corporate Sponsor & Ticket Manager.
South of the Border
Chicago-based TransUnion is looking for a Vice President, Identity Risk Solutions, Global Fraud Solutions Group.
The Bank of America is hiring an Analyst/Associate: Equity Research, Gaming & Lodging.
FanDuel has an opportunity in New York for a Generosity Strategy & Insights Senior Analyst.
Fanatics has a posting for a Growth Marketing Analyst.
Betr is looking for a Head of Retention, Sportsbook & Casino.
Hmm. . .Kalshi is seeking “someone to own our entire TV strategy and execution”.
In Florida, Hard Rock Digital requires a Manager – Sportsbook BI.
BetMGM is searching for a Marketing Manager to support its Ontario business. In New Jersey, BetMGM is hiring a Real Time Associate.
DraftKings has an opening in Vegas for a Talent Acquisition Partner and a Gaming Operations Manager.
Hard Rock Digital is in the market for a Manager – Sportsbook Operations.
YouTube is on the lookout for a Strategic Partner Manager, Gaming Publishers.
Penn Entertainment is searching for a Strategic Sourcing Analyst.
Aristocrat Interactive is on the lookout for a Senior Partner Success Manager.
Frameplay requires a Client Partner – USA.
A casting call has been put out by SportsGrid.
Communications agency Hot Paper Lantern is searching for an Internal Communications Lead.
Pavilion Payments is on the lookout for a QA Manager.
The people’s wire service, American style, is seeking a Senior Director for APNews.
Substack is seeking a Head of Sports Partnerships.
The NBA front office is hiring a Senior Director, PR & Communications and is also in need of a Project Employee – Data Visualiziation & Graphic Design – WNBA.
MLS HQ is in the market for a Senior Director, Partnership Marketing.
There’s a plethora of current job postings by MLB and the NFL around sports betting, integrity and compliance.
The Gist has a remote opening for a Senior Account Executive.
In Miami, the organizing team for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is in hiring mode for a Manager, Training Sites Media Operations.
Deloitte is looking for a Sports Sponsorship Marketing Contractor.
Across the Ponds
Gambling.com Group has a quartet of employment opportunities including a Head of Product.
Tonybet needs a Head of Brand.
Gambling.com Group is seeking a Senior Director of Subscriptions.
Flutter UK & Ireland is in the market for a Senior Strategic Planning Manager.
Entain is searching for a Games Manager to join its team in Gibraltar.
Betsson Group is looking for a Product Experimentation Lead.
Malta-based PressEnter Group needs a Commercial Finance Manager/Financial Controller.
In Athens, Kaizen Gaming requires a Software Engineering Team Lead.
In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, there’s an opportunity for a Player Props Trader at DraftKings.
There’s an opening in Malta for an Account Manager with Evolution.
Spribe is looking for a Senior Key Account Manager.
Red Bull has an opportunity in Elsbethen, Austria, for a Community Experience Manager – Social Channels.
The WTA has a hyrbrid role up for grabs in the UK for a Manager, Commercial Analytics.
Down Under, World Rugby is hiring a Communications & PR Manager.
The International Cricket Council is searching for a Senior Manager, Digital Products.
Reading and Reflection
Dustin Gouker took to LinkedIn to capture a torrential Tuesday on prediction markets and sports betting.
An editorial in The Globe and Mail and another piece in Canada’s National Newspaper on the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal for Ontario around the province’s regulated gambling landscape prompted this response from the Canadian Gaming Association.
Our Gaming News Canada Show interview last week with former iGO chief of staff Mitch Davidson covered a lot of ground. Davidson’s latest installment of The Policy Shop did the same regarding the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruling.
DraftKings’ new Spanish-language gaming app will be available to its Ontario customers, reported Tom Nightingale.
Swedish iLottery business Random State has pushed the GO button on its partnership with Delta Casino in Ontari-ari-ari-o.
Front Office Sports scribe Ryan Glasspiegel spoke with ESPN’s VP of betting and fantasy about the Worldwide Leader’s decision to part ways with Penn and join hands with DraftKings.
Gaming industry vet Chris Grove offered some thoughts and layers for the Wall Street Journal on the current controversy around prop bets.
During an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box yesterday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman weighed in on the league’s partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he was involved in an alleged rigged poker scheme.
Brett Smiley tapped the keyboard for InGame after speaking with a researcher about the FanDuel/DraftKings/prediction markets situation.
Speaking of prediction markets, and InGame, Daniel O’Boyle has the latest on the legal wrangling between Kalshi and the state of Nevada.
Scott Longley and Earnings + More troupe took a 360 look at the predictions market madness after another eventful week.
The CEO of Polymarket has accused sportsbooks of “scamming” their customers.
A study commissioned by the European Casino Association reports a significant spike in illegal online gambling across the continent.
The gaming industry has led the charge on a 26% increase in podcast advertising across seven countries, including the true north strong and free.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is reconsidering a ban on gambling advertising.
A good read from SportsGrid senior exec Michael Cardano on the tangled web that is the current sports rights landscape in the U.S. of A.
The operations of bet365 and Betano in Mexico have been put on hold amidst anti-money laundering allegations.
Caesars Entertainment’s bosses have issued a mea culpa for doing business with an illegal bookie.
Ben Horney of Front Office Sports opined on the current fluid state of the sports betting industry in the U.S. of A.
We pass along this piece of branded content by Deloitte in the Wall Street Journal about the “fraud triangle” around sports wagering.
Immense Group/Videoslots have been fined $1.2 million (Canuck bucks) for some AML and social responsibility shortcomings.
Awful Announcing’s Alex Reimer added his voice to the conversation about the ties between sports media and sports betting.
FanDuel’s “Pass The Leg” product for the NFL’s Thanksgiving games is a turkey in the view of Dr. Harry Levant.
Kiitos to Antti Koivula for steering us towards this update on the Finnish government’s efforts to make changes to the country’s gambling act.
MGM Resorts International head honcho Bill Hornbuckle gave a tip of the beret to gaming regulators in Nevada for taking a stand against prediction markets.
The former vice chair of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council has some ideas for improving regulated sports betting.
SkillOnNet has run afoul of Swedish gambling regulations.
Legislators in the Sunshine State are taking another look at legalizing daily fantasy.
DraftKings is getting together with the St. Louis Blues.
Sky Bet’s move from the UK to Malta isn’t sitting well in some corners.
Shining the spotlight on this Richard Schuetz column for the folks who remember the legendary Roxy Roxborough.
These are not the best of times for land-based casinos in the Netherlands.
One sports journalist/podcaster believes betting on sports could interfere with or ruin the love of pro sports by fans. We’ve heard the same song and dance before around player salaries, ticket prices, rights fees, etc.
Finally, Katie Deighton wrote for the Wall Street Journal on the recent mass move of marketers from corporations to sports teams/organizations.
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