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On the latest episode of the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming, host Steve McAllister caught up with Paul Burns. The Canadian Gaming Association president and CEO was in Calgary to meet with representatives from Gibraltar – including the country’s finance minister – who were in Alberta last week for a trade mission.
Burns spoke with McAllister about the one-month-old, regulated sports betting and online gaming market in the western Canada province, and the feedback he’s received on the process leading to the July 13 launch. The arrival last week of Bally Bet gives the new regulated jurisdiction some 26 websites and Burns expects more operators will join the market before Labour Day weekend.
McAllister also asked Burns about the CGA’s position on prediction markets as companies such as Wealthsimple are making their case to do business in Canada with oversight from provincial securities regulators and no interference by gambling regulators.
Layoffs at Better Collective and Catena Media last week are the latest to take place in a year that’s seen job cuts across the industry, so we asked Burns for his thoughts.
The CGA’s head honcho also looked ahead to a busy fall when the association will release a series of white papers on the industry and is also watching bills being debated on Parliament Hill around sports betting advertising and amending the Criminal Code and Indian Act with regards to gambling. Burns said the association is also continuing to advocate for changes to the rules and regulations around anti-money laundering in our home and native land.
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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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To discuss our coverage of your company’s news and announcements and to become an advertiser on Gaming News Canada, please contact steve@gamingnewscanada.ca.
