Thoughts on Canada Day and celebrating major gambling milestones
Last month's five-year anniversary of the passage of legislation that legalized single-event sports betting in Canada went by quietly. Alberta's on track for July 13 and AGCO issues a $120,000 fine.
Happy Canada Day. We hope you’re reading this by a lake, near a barbecue and with your favourite beverage close at hand.
Much is made each year on our nation’s birthday about the relative patriotism of Canadians vis-à-vis their American friends, who tend to go to the max to celebrate the Fourth of July. Though Canadian patriotism is at an all-time high due to external threats, the old saw is that Canadians are more laid-back about Canada Day than Americans are about Independence Day.
Which could explain why a significant gambling anniversary passed recently with almost no flag waving.
As Geoff Zochodne noted last week in Covers, the fifth anniversary of the bill that transformed the gambling landscape in this country passed with barely a mention.
On June 22, 2021, Bill C-218 passed the Senate, reached Royal Assent and legalized single-event sports betting in Canada. There is a chance Canadians are waiting to celebrate a different five-year anniversary – Aug. 27, 2021 when the law went into effect – but I doubt it.
While we enthusiastically celebrate Canadian sports achievements such as the national men’s team qualifying for the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, we’re not big on pulling out the party hats for the anniversary of the passage of legislation – even legislation that transformed an entire industry.
It wasn’t long after Bill C-218 passed that Ontario announced its intention to launch an open online gambling market and did so with remarkable speed. The official launch was April 4, 2022, just 220 days after the law went into effect and 286 days after Bill C-218 passed the Senate.
Now, on July 13, a little over five years since single-event sports betting became legal, Alberta will become the second province to launch an open, regulated market.
But Ontario’s example alone shows just how much Bill C-218 has changed gambling in this country.
Since launch, total online gambling revenue in Ontario, through May, is now at $12.2 billion, which translates into total tax revenue of $2.44 billion – and that’s not counting Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) numbers which reflect about 20 per cent of the total online market.
As we reported in our May 13 edition of the Gaming News Canada newsletter, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming reported that in 2025 “just over $70 million” was spent by government “on gambling-related treatment programs, awareness campaigns and research.” Meanwhile the operators voluntarily spent an additional $23 million on responsible gambling campaigns.
That some $93 million was spent on responsible and problem gambling initiatives last year alone is the good a regulated market can do, because there is no doubt the proliferation of gambling has also increased problem gambling.
Clearly, the passage of Bill C-218 has not been a panacea. It’s certainly driven tax revenue and Ontario has succeeded in better protecting consumers by drawing most of the grey market operators into the regulated sector by offering reasonable taxation and oversight.
But the rise in problem gambling and the constant criticism of the volume of advertising hasn’t abated.
Five years in, it’s a reminder that the gambling industry is a tricky one to get right.
We likely are better off with a regulated sector, but perhaps this birthday is not worthy of fireworks just yet.
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What’s news with Alberta, 13 days before market launch
Those Happy Canada Day wishes earlier in this dispatch most certainly include our fellow country folks in the province of Alberta. Speaking of which. . . .
As of five days ago, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) reported a registration update including 47 operators (it’s worth a mention that the number includes some companies planning to operate multiple brands, including Cadtree Limited - owners of Jackpot City and Royal Vegas among others). Fifty companies have registered as critical gaming systems providers, 15 as platform providers and 15 as igaming goods or services suppliers.
We reached out to the communications team at the Alberta iGaming Corporation at the beginning of the week with some questions around the July 13 market launch, including confirmation that opening day isn’t changing. From their response:
AiGC is on track to launch Alberta’s regulated iGaming market on July 13, 2026. AiGC’s will conduct and manage a legal, responsible, and secure online gaming market in Alberta for the benefit of Alberta communities. For Albertans, the launch of the regulated iGaming market on July 13, 2026, will deliver protections and safeguards they have never had before, including deposit limits, robust age verification, access to mental health supports through Alberta’s 211 services, and enhanced privacy and data security measures.
On the robust number of registrations:
We are encouraged by the strong interest in Alberta’s regulated market. We have established trusted and collaborative relationships with operators interested in Alberta’s regulated iGaming market. Operators have been working diligently to meet the required eligibility and technical requirements, while also adhering to the robust registration, licensing, and operating standards established by AGLC and AiGC.
And, in response to our question about registered operators adhering to the pre-launch rules around promoting their products:
Through our working relationships with iGaming Operators, we are ensuring that any advertising is meeting AiGC marketing & advertising policies and we will continue to work with iGaming Operators as the Alberta market develops.
In an Edmonton Journal article on Monday, Liam Newbigging set the table for the province’s expanded market and included in his reporting was this quote from Minister Dale Nally:
“We know that gambling will never be safe, it will never be responsible. But there are ways to make it a little safer, and there are ways to make it a little more responsible.”
The Service Alberta minister also repeated previous projections of $76 million in net revenue for the province in Year 1, prompting this post from Covers senior journalist Geoff Zochodne.
Also:
Canadian gaming industry veteran Phill Gray told Casino.org scribe Mark Keast he believes launching the Alberta market near the end of the World Cup of Soccer is a faux pas.
Canadian Gaming Business journo Tom Nightingale confirmed last week that LeoVegas Group currently isn’t planning to be in Alberta but Kaizen Gaming (proprietors of the Betano brand) have gone through the regulatory registration drill in the western Canada province. Both LeoVegas and Kaizen are doing business in Ontari-ari-ari-o.
Covers guy Geoff Zochodne confirmed that licensed operators will be prohibited from advertising “gambling inducements, bonuses and credits” except by way of direct marketing once a customer has registered or on the operator’s website/app.
BetMGM did the news release thing to let it be known it was accepting pre-registration and plans to be open for business on July 13.
Skylar Peters of Global News put together a preview of what’s coming to Alberta.
Paul Adams, the senior manager of casino at BetMGM, did the Q and A thing with Yogonet on the company’s efforts in Ontario and Alberta. Adams also has some advice for people wanting to work in Canada’s regulated gambling industry.
Count the folks at Octoplay among the bullish-on-Alberta crew.
Finally, the Alberta iGaming Corporation and the Canadian Gaming Association are among the sponsors of the Canadian Bitcoin Consortium’s Calgary Stampede Hootenanny a week from today (July 8). The last “hootenanny” came across our desk, we were listening to Anne Murray’s Snowbird on AM radio. . . but we digress.
According the information landing in our inbox, the hootenanny is being held in honour of Minister Dale Nally and it will “bring together senior leaders from government and a range of regulated industries, including gaming, technology, energy, digital assets, and cannabis”.
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.
Great Canadian Entertainment responds to AGCO fine
Great Canadian Entertainment is accepting the $120,000 fine it’s been given by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for allowing the use of unauthorized gaming system software at Ontario casinos.
The AGCO announced Monday it was acting against Great Canadian for a “serious compliance failure that bypassed requirements designed to protect the integrity of casino game”. Great Canadian sent this statement Monday evening to Gaming News Canada:
We respect the AGCO’s decision and its role in enforcing the standards that guide the gaming industry. We have imposed operational and compliance safeguards to prevent future similar incidents. Our organization remains committed to the highest standards of compliance and accountability for our operations.
The commission’s decision came after a review of 40 “instances in which revoked or unapproved bill validator software had been installed across four casino sites between February 20 and March 15. Bill validators are part of gaming machines and accept and process cash while also helping to support anti-money laundering controls.
In a news release, AGCO CEO and registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr said: “The AGCO requires casino operators to protect the integrity of their gaming systems by making sure they are independently tested, approved and operating as intended. When unauthorized software is used in a live casino environment, it bypasses critical safeguards that are meant to uphold the integrity of gaming and the public’s confidence in the system. The AGCO will continue to hold all casino operators accountable for meeting Ontario’s high standards of gaming system integrity.”
Greo impact report includes Canadian connections
While engaged in the regular Monday morning routine at Gaming News Canada HQ of perusing the LinkedIn, we came across a post from Greo Evidence Insights’ knowledge mobilization director Lindsay Kalbfleisch touting the release of Greo’s Impact Report.
For newcomers to GNC and/or the business of betting and igaming, Greo is an independent, non-profit organization that does due diligence in research, knowledge mobilization and evaluation in the health and well-being sectors. The latest impact report covers the organization’s work over the past five years.
Of special interest are three studies over that period involving the gambling industry across our home and native land:
1. Regulating Gambling Advertising and Availability in Canada (Dr. Matthew Young, Greo’s chief research officer, and Toronto Metropolitan University professor Dr. Andrew Kim joined your humble podcast host on the Gaming News Canada Show presented by Bede Gaming in late April to talk about research focused on Ontario and Alberta into sports betting advertising and its impact on young men.)
2. Advancing Player Health Approaches in British Columbia
3. Supporting Community Investment, Outcomes Measurement, and Learning in Ontario (a partnership between Greo and OLG)
From the “Looking Ahead” section of the report:
Alongside our ongoing work in gambling-related harm, we will continue to explore opportunities to apply this expertise in adjacent areas, including gaming, technology use and digital wellbeing, and substance use health.
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.
May was Ontario’s best online casino revenue month in history
Speaking of our earlier reference to Ontario numbers, iGaming Ontario (iGO) dropped the latest ones last week after we went to press on our last newsletter.
May proved to be another banner month in terms of revenue. It was the single best month for online casino revenue and the second best revenue month overall since the market opened 49 months ago in April 2022.
Online casino revenue was a record $326.4 million in May to surpass the previous best of $320.7 million set in December of 2025.
May marked the fifth time total online revenue has topped $400 million – all coming in the last seven months. Total online gambling revenue in May of $413.1 million – up 22 per cent year-over-year from May of 2025 ($338 million) – ranks only behind the $425.6 million reached in December when sports betting options were more attractive.
Speaking of sports betting, the May revenue of $81.3 million was down 5 per cent from the $86 million in April.
Total online gambling revenue since launch – not counting the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s (OLG) numbers – is now more than $12.2 billion with nearly $9.2 billion (75 per cent) coming from online casinos, $2.74 billion (22 per cent) from sports betting and $254.5 million (2 per cent) from online poker.
Total taxes in the 48 months since launch are approximately $2.44 billion (20 per cent of revenue).
World Cup edition, betting style
Some prognosticating from Declan Hill that there be match-fixing occurrences in the tournament’s knockout stages.
GeoLocs provided a look at the betting activity in Ontario around the Switzerland-Canada game.
Front Office Sports reporter Margaret Fleming asked if anyone is using FIFA’s official prediction market.
FanDuel’s new head honcho Christian Genetski told John Ourand the World Cup has been “March Madness on steroids”.
Martin Bjoerk of iGamingBusiness.com dug into the tug-of-war between legal and illegal online sportsbooks in European jurisdictions around the tournament.
A panel discussion at the recent SBC Summit Americas dealt with the future opportunities the World Cup will present to the gaming industry.
People on the Move
Tim Miller is leaving the UK Gambling Commission and his Executive Director role in September.
Ian Bradley, ex of DraftKings and SBTech, is appointed co-CEO at FIRST.bet.
Elie Mishory, formerly of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Kalshi and most recently the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, is appointed Chief Regulatory and Legal Affairs Officer at Novig.
RubyPlay promotes Andreas Iatropoulos to Vice President of Engineering.
Javier Altamirano departs Sportradar and his Global Head of Startups role.
Sean Byrne is named Head of Sales at MediaTroopers.
BetMGM names Dave Melillo as Senior Director, Data Technology.
Raj Kapoor, ex of PFF, is named Senior Product Director at Caesars Entertainment.
After 39 months, the past 26 as iPoker Network Director, Baard Dahl is leaving Playtech.
Esport Canada names Sneesha Anandkumar as Director of Marketing and Engagement, and Corey Manuel as Manager, Brand and Partnership Content.
Mark Gallant departs Better Collective and his role as Director of Endemic Revenue Operations & Optimization.
Rob Wheeler joins DataArt as Business Development Manager, Betting & Gaming.
Vinay Kanani has a new role at Aristocrat as Senior Product Manager.
NeoPollard Interactive promotes Andrew Eckard to Senior Customer Success Manager.
Heemesh Vara is named Senior SEO Manager at Legend.
Tim Tam joins Segev LLP as a Lawyer.
Jack Byrne departs the International Betting Integrity Association and his Integrity Manager role.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland appoints Aoife O’Mara as Communications Manager.
Kevin Ryan joins DraftKings as a Technical Program Manager.
Tal Karaev comes aboard Entain as a Performance Marketing Solutions Manager.
Matthew Corcoran, ex of Flutter UK & Ireland and Paddy Power, joins Sportsbet as a Product Manager.
Samip Shrestha comes on board Future Anthem as a Data Analyst.
PokerStars promote Sophie Kniveton to Senior Marketing Manager and Olivia Libreri to Marketing Manager. Joana Fonseca Santos is also promoted, to Senior Marketing Manager – Content & Strategy.
Sargis Saghatelyan has a new gig at Digitain as a Content Management Specialist.
After 17 years, the past eight as President and Chief Operating Officer, Business Operations, Matt Afinec leaves Hamilton Sports Group to become the new President and Chief Operating Officer of the NLL Toronto Rock.
After almost 12 years, the past four as Senior Vice President, Business Analytics & Technology, Neda Tabatabaie says farewell to the San Jose Sharks.
Lori DeGraw, member of the Board of Directors at the Canadian Olympic Committee, is appointed CEO at Lacrosse Canada.
Ryan Frankson, ex of Oilers Entertainment Group, joins the Vegas Golden Knights as Senior Director, Social & Digital Content.
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, ex of The Athletic, begins his new duties as Managing Editor of SportsCage.com.
OLG’s GlynWilliams talks safer gambling on the GNC Show
Aaron GlynWilliams, the Vice President of Safer Gambling for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and the Chair of the Canadian Responsible Gambling Association, joined Gaming News Canada Show host Steve McAllister this week for a conversation about responsible gambling.
GlynWilliams spoke about the need for all stakeholders in the gaming industry to be on the same page when it comes to safer gambling during a panel discussion at last month’s SBC Summit Canada. McAllister revisited his guest’s comments and asked GlynWilliams for his reaction to the OLG’s June 1 announcement about new measures targeting online gaming customers under the age of 25.
Among other topics, GlynWilliams also provided his thoughts on iGaming Ontario’s launch of BetGuard, and about the incoming regulated gambling market in Alberta.
You can listen to the show here or watch it here:
Classified (Jobs) Information
On the Home Front
Bet99 has an opening in Alberta for a Field Marketing Associate.
Penn wants to bring on board an Account Executive in Vancouver.
NeoPollard Interactive has an opportunity in Edmonton for a Marketing QA and Research Analyst.
Loto-Québec is on the lookout for a Human Resources Information Systems Consultant, a Content and Social Media Project Manager, and a Marketing Communications Project Manager.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is seeking a Lead, Provincial Programs – Provincial System Support Program.
There’s a position available in the gaming industry for a Senior SEO Manager.
Wealthsimple has a remote opening for a Senior Manager, Integrated Marketing.
The Faculty of Kinesiology and Phys Ed. at the University of Toronto is in the market for a Director, Public Relations & Communications.
True Sports is looking for a Senior Financial Analyst to work out of its Montreal location.
The WNBA Toronto Tempo are seeking a Manager, Partnerships.
Hockey Canada is looking for a Manager, Hockey Operations – Video/Analytics.
There’s an opening in Montreal for a Creator Manager at podcast company Acast.
Bell Media is hiring in London/Windsor, ON a Multimedia Journalist.
The folks operating the TD Coliseum in Hamilton are looking for a Marketing Specialist, AHL.
Toronto-based Power Play Production Group is seeking a Manager, Business Development & Marketing.
South of the Border
Hard Rock Digital has a remote opportunity in the U.S. of A. or the UK (hey, why not in the Great White North?) for a Vice President – SEO and GEO.
Gaming, sports and entertainment biz OS Studios is hiring a Vice President, Growth.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is searching for a Deputy Attorney General.
There’s another remote opening for a Director of Casino Operations – iGaming.
And there’s another opportunity for a Head of Acquisition, Sweepstakes Casino.
Aristocrat Gaming is on the hunt for a Director, Revenue Operations & Analytics.
Wanted by DraftKings: a Regulatory Compliance Director, Predictions.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has an opportunity for a Sports Wagering Compliance Officer.
FanDuel is searching for a Campaign Strategy Senior Associate.
Wanted at Hard Rock Digital: a Manager, Media Strategy & Planning Sportsbook, and a Manager, Media Strategy & Planning Casino.
Splash Sports is on the lookout for a Senior Growth Analyst.
Better Collective has a remote opportunity in the U.S. of A. for a Content Editor, Partnerships.
The PGA Tour is looking for a Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Partnerships.
The PGA of America is seeking a Chief Marketing Officer.
Wanted by the Sacramento Kings: a Vice President, Technology & AI Enablement.
The Florida Panthers are in the market for a Head of Content.
Red Bull is searching for a Director, Sports Marketing.
NBA HQ has an opportunity for a Strategy Manager.
In Miami, Unrivaled Basketball is hiring a Partnership Account Manager.
In New York, NPR is looking for a Senior Manager, Editorial Communications & Influence.
Across the Ponds
In Sliema, Light & Wonder is seeking a Head of Product Experience.
Aristocrat has a hybrid opening in London for a Director, Compliance Audit – iLottery & Interactive.
In Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa, there’s an opportunity at Light & Wonder – iGaming for an Operations Executive.
The International Cricket Council is hiring an Investigator.
BOYLE Sports has need of an SEO Executive for its Gibraltar offices.
In Malta, Catena Media requires a Senior Data Engineer.
LeoVegas Group has an opening in Amsterdam for a Senior Commercial Manager.
Lottomart Games is hiring a Senior Player Due Diligence Manager.
Betty has an opening with its new UK business for a Casino Ops Manager.
Flutter UK & Ireland is in the market for a Digital Brand Designer.
In London, Genius Sports is looking for a Product Marketing Manager.
In Gibraltar, Sky Gaming is in hiring mode for a Media and Acquisition Manager, a Business Intelligence Analyst and a Propositions Executive.
The UK Gambling Commission has a nine-pack of positions to fill these days, including an Intelligence Manager (Sports Betting Integrity Unit).
There are positions available with Dentsu Gaming for a UA and Analytics Lead, and a Global Publishing Lead (Video Games).
William Hill is seeking a Senior Compliance Manager.
Incline Gaming Marketing has an opening in the UK for a Performance Marketing Manager.
In Austria, Red Bull has an opportunity for an Event Manager – World Final Lead.
Reading and Reflecting
A tap of the Northland hockey twig to Geoff Zochodne for letting it be known that DAZN Bet is now up and running in Ontario (and yes, DAZN has also registered to do business in Alberta). We will be watching closely to see how the operator’s owners – sports streaming business DAZN – integrates betting content into its programming.
A LinkedIn post from a former Penn Entertainment executive revealed the closing last week of Penn’s Gibraltar’s office which was home to the sportsbook’s risks and trading operations for theScore, Barstool Sports and ESPN.
A matter of M&A last week with the acquisition of Alberta company Gamehost by Indigenous Gaming Partners (IGP) and Pure Casino Entertainment. The agreement includes the sale of Great Northern Casino, Rivers Casino, the Deerfoot Inn & Casino, and three hotel properties to IGP.
From the Department of Let’s Blame Everything on Betting “ambassador” Jordan Spieth, we typed with tongue embedded in cheek.
Intralot is the new lottery technology provider for OLG following a “competitive procurement process” which will involve Intralot supporting OLG’s business dealings in both Toronto and Sault Ste. Marie.
SkillOnNet has gone live through its Ontario licence with games from ODDSworks.
Malik Beasley is the latest former NBA player finding himself in legal trouble over allegations of a player prop scheme. ESPN reporter David Purdum posted text messages between Beasley and fellow ex-NBAer Ed Davis.
Robyn McNeil reported for Gambling Insider on a panel discussion of the “gamblification” in the U.S. of A. today.
The citizens of Malta are opposing an EU-wide ban on gambling advertising.
Fanatics, with a helping hand from IC350’s ProhiBet product, are taking aim at the idiots on social media harassing and abusing athletes and other sports figures.
A bit of scoopage at the end of last week from ESPN reporters David Purdum and Jeff Passan on a proposal by the MLB Players Association to ban prop bets on players.
Tom Nightingale took notes from a webinar on problem gambling among young men.
Long-time sports journalist Rick Reilly blames sportsbook apps for the increase in heckling and harassment at pro golf tournaments. With apologies to Sherman Potter, we say horse hockey.
Sportico’s Dan Bernstein reported on spending by sportsbooks around state elections south of the border..
Rob Fletcher of NEXT.io has the deets on the hefty fine imposed by the UK Gambling Commission against Stakelogic.
A Labour MP in the UK is calling for a new Gambling Act that would include doubling the tax rate on “machine gaming”.
The same commission’s new business strategy includes attempting to reduce red tape.
And the same body has fined Betfred $1.7 million for falling short of its safer gambling obligations.
There’s been a spike in prediction markets activity around Japan.
The latest on the Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK taking legal action against Meta for illegal online gambling ads.
A majority of shareholders of Penn Entertainment have approved the executive pay package, including less money for CEO Jay Snowden.
For The New Yorker, Keith O’Brien told the story about the bookie who built a sports betting website and was later confronted by the Internal Revenue Service.
The man in the middle of the gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter spoke recently with Kris Johnson of Casino Beats.
The (shrinking) CBS 60 Minutes news team updated its coverage of prediction market players making a whole lotta money around U.S. military operations.
A judge in Michigan has blocked Kalshi from allowing residents to wager on sports.
New gaming laws in Iowa and Indiana are prompting sweepstakes casinos operators to pull up. . . . er . . . stakes in the two states.
A content creator is accusing Kalshi of using one of his videos sans credit or sending a few bucks his way.
Polymarket is getting together with the Bundesliga an an official partner in the U.S.
The COO of the World Series of Poker channelled his inner George Bush (H.W.) when interviewed by Christina Bradfield of Casinos.com.
On Friday morning, DraftKings announced the opening of its proprietary prediction markets exchange.
Penn Entertainment has opened its latest casino/hotel, a former riverboat gambling site in Aurora, IL.
Matt Deutsch had a chin wag with Yahoo! Sports fantasy content director Jason Klabacha about fantasy sports and sports media on the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association Spotlight podcast.
The rules around payments in Peru’s regulated gaming industry is putting some pressure on operators.
Finally, lightning rod Barstool Sports founder/boss Dave Portnoy has published his autobiography and that reminded Dustin Gouker of Portnoy’s tenure in the trenches of legal sports betting.
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