Latest Developments in Canada's Digital Gaming Sector: Highlights of 2024

Latest Developments in the Canadian Digital Gaming Sector of 2024

In the world of online gaming, Ontario has been making headlines. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) took a significant step in February 2025 by releasing guidelines prohibiting the use of athletes in internet gaming advertising and marketing within the province.

The move seems to have paid off, as the second quarter of 2025 saw a 1.7% increase in gaming revenue compared to the first quarter, amounting to $738 million. This figure represents a 35.4% year-over-year increase.

The shift towards regulated sites has been noticeable. In a similar study conducted in 2023, 85.3% of igaming participants were playing on regulated sites. However, the latest IPSOS study conducted in February 2024 shows an increase to 86.4%.

Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario, expressed her satisfaction with the court's ruling in May 2025, which allowed Ontarians to continue playing in the regulated igaming market. The court found iGaming Ontario's model to be consistent with the Criminal Code.

The success of Ontario's regulated market has not gone unnoticed. Operators like PointsBet Canada, Betway, PENN, and NorthStar have expressed interest in entering the Alberta market, which is expected to launch mid-2025 under a new gaming regulatory regime similar to Ontario's style.

Before the regulated market was launched, an estimated 70% of online gambling occurred on unregulated sites. The shift towards regulated sites in Ontario suggests a positive trend for Alberta's upcoming market.

The Alberta government is not the only one keeping an eye on the progress of online gaming. The House of Commons is set to reconvene on January 27, 2025, with the progress of Bill S-269, a new national advertising legislation, being a story to keep an eye on.

The bill, which is awaiting First Reading in the House of Commons, calls for the Canadian Heritage Minister to develop new national standards on gaming advertising. A majority of Canadians, according to a poll conducted in February 2025, were looking for significant changes in sports betting advertising, including banning current team players and celebrities from ads.

As we look back at 2024, Ontario's igaming market saw continued growth, with 50 licensed operators and 82 gaming websites. The market marked its second-year anniversary in April 2025, and Deloitte's report on Ontario's regulated competitive igaming market indicated it sustained nearly 15,000 jobs and added a combined $1.24 billion to government revenues.

While the search results do not contain specific information about which companies have announced participation in Alberta's online casino market once it opens, the interest shown by operators like those mentioned above suggests a promising future for the industry in Alberta.

As the landscape of online gaming continues to evolve, it's clear that regulation and consumer protection are key factors in its success. The story of Ontario's regulated market serves as a blueprint for other provinces looking to enter the online gaming industry.