Boasting a population of over 40 million and being the second-largest country in the world by total area, Canada is easily one of the most promising and exciting global markets.
Yet, with each province having its own unique and distinct gambling regulations, some view the Canadian market as presenting as many complexities as it does opportunities.
In this blog post, we will provide context to some of the Canadian provinces leading the way for the industry and explore how the Canadian Gaming Summit’s conference agenda can equip you with the knowledge to successfully navigate the dynamic and intricate regulatory landscape.
Much like its bordering neighbor, the United States, Canada is a country that is divided into distinct provinces.
In 1970, to combat the growing social pressure to legalize gambling within the country, the government passed a bill that would allow each of the ten provinces to self-regulate its respective gambling infrastructure.
However, what was first viewed as a victory among many in the industry soon offered a host of unforeseen complexities, mainly due to the fact each province was overseen by different regulatory establishments, resulting in varying regulations.
In April 2022, the province of Ontario took a significant stride forward by passing a bill that allowed online gambling and sports betting operators to begin offering their regulated games and betting platforms to eligible Ontarians.
While this step marked a positive development for the industry, it also initiated a reassessment in other provinces, adding to the complexity of navigating the regulatory landscape in the country.
With Canada comprising ten individual provinces, it can often be challenging to understand which province permits specific types of gambling. In this exploration, we will delve into several provinces that are at the forefront of the industry, examining the offerings to players and spotlighting key topics slated for discussion at the forthcoming Canadian Gaming Summit.
Ontario has spearheaded the online gaming movement in Canada, embracing online casinos and sportsbooks. Having self-regulated online gambling, Ontario is the only province that licenses and regulates third-party online gambling sites.
You can expand your educational prowess on the Ontario market by attending the following panels at the Canadian Gaming Summit:
Fantasy Sports in Ontario: Less Than Just a Fantasy?
While many states south of the border consider paid fantasy sports wagering to be games of skill, the Ontario regulators have hitherto been firm on their opposing stance. Aligning to the same regulations as traditional online sportsbooks means the likes of FanDuel and Underdog have still not offered paid fantasy in the province; is there a future for DFS in Canada?
Charitable Gaming (Ontario): The Value, The Impact, and The Partnership
The Revitalization of Charitable Bingo and Gaming has been built on a unique partnership between the critical players, hear the panelists talk through, the successes and challenges of developing this partnership and how they work co-operatively to keep it relevant in a changing gaming environment.
The province of Quebec has allowed legal gambling since 1970. Since then, the industry has flourished under the regulation of the provincial crown corporation Loto-Quebec and the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) (Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission).
In recent years, there has been much discussion about the potential blocking of access to offshore gambling websites, however no concrete action has been taken. As the second largest province in Canada, there is hope that the local government will open its doors to third-party online gambling sites soon.
You can find out more about the Quebec betting landscape by attending the following panel at the Canadian Gaming Summit:
Gaming in the belle province: Quebec in question
Culturally and historically, Quebec remains a distinct entity within the Canadian gaming landscape – but its population size generated an estimated $400MM for Loto-Quebec in 2023. With a coalition of commercial operators seeking to change the status quo, can the lottery position themselves to capitalize on the increasing popularity of online sports betting and iGaming, while maintaining responsible gambling standards and protecting the province’s integrity?
While Alberta is the most populous province in the Prairies, there is only one company that has gained a legal Alberta license for online gambling; PlayAlberta. All gambling is regulated by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC).
For more information on PlayAlberta and the future state of play in the province, make sure you attend the following panel:
Wild West of iGaming: a new gold rush in Alberta?
Operators eyeing a reform of gambling regulations in Alberta may have seen their hopes put on ice for now, as conflict between the provincial governments and Ottawa eat up the legislature’s time.
In the meantime, updates to PlayAlberta allowing props and same-game parlays are tiding sports bettors over – but for how long? With brick-and-mortar casinos, major sports teams, and operators such as Ontario’s PointsBet waiting in the wings, will we be seeing a new gold rush in the second half of 2024?
British Columbia has a rich history of embracing gambling, boasting over 30 years of providing diverse gaming options. It has also emerged as a central hub for eSports in the country, pioneering its development and growth.
British Columbia’s role within the burgeoning Canadian eSports scene is explored during the panel:
Esports hubs: where Canadian entertainment meets business
Unlike fantasy sports, esports is booming in Canada, positioned as it is at the intersection of betting, entertainment and business. Vancouver is staking its bets on branding itself as an esports hub, Toronto is going all in on a new venue dedicated to the vertical, and homegrown operators such as Rivalry are global names and launching a brand new app. As esports momentum grows, will it run into regulatory roadblocks like those up for DFS – or will it build bridges with the world of iGaming and even bricks-and-mortar entertainment?
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