March 9, 2025

Will Canada’s Other Nine Provinces Follow Ontario’s Online Gambling Regulation Model?

Canada’s online gambling scene is constantly shifting. Ontario online casinos made a big move, letting private companies run online casinos, but with strict rules. They’re hoping this will protect players and keep things fair. But will other provinces do the same?

Right now, nine other provinces still run government-controlled gambling platforms. Some see Ontario’s approach as a good way to bring in more tax money and improve player safety. Others worry about losing control over their current systems, which rely on lotteries.

Ontario’s strategy is being looked at as a possible sign of how the other provinces in Canada might go ahead. The question remains: will a united system appear across the country, or will individual provinces keep their own regulatory rules? Read on as we discuss this further.

Ontario’s Groundbreaking Move: A New Era for Online Gambling

In April 2022, Ontario snagged the lead as the first Canadian province to get online gambling totally under control. Now private businesses can set up online casinos and hit the ground running with sports betting as long as they’re under the watchful eye of the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

If companies want to join the game, they have to grab a license from AGCO and stick to some pretty tight rules. These rules make sure vital stuff like gambling, keeping players safe, and playing fair is all sorted.

Gambling in Ontario is a whole new ballgame. Now, residents can find a lot more legal places to gamble, with better odds, tempting bonuses, and all sorts of games. It’s also been good for the province, with tax money from these places helping fund public programs.

Ontario’s commitment to player protection and economic growth sets a strong example for other provinces considering a similar strategy.

The Rest of Canada: A Patchwork of Gambling Laws

Ontario has a distinct way of handling gambling compared to other regions, each of which has its own regulatory framework. Let’s look at how the rules differ from one province to another:

Central Canada:

Ontario’s the most regulated gambling scene in Canada, with iGaming Ontario licensing over 70 online casinos and sportsbooks. They also have over 25 land-based casinos and full-scale sports betting.
Quebec is a big player, with multiple land-based casinos and Espacejeux as its government-regulated online platform. It offers single-event and parlay sports betting.

Western Canada:

Alberta regulates gambling through the AGLC, offering land-based casinos and the government-run PlayAlberta for online gaming. Offshore sites remain accessible, and sports betting is available through Sport Select.
British Columbia oversees gambling via BCLC, featuring land-based casinos and PlayNow as its exclusive online platform. Single-event sports betting is legal.
Manitoba follows a model similar to British Columbia, featuring Playnow as its official online platform alongside Winnipeg’s casinos. Players still have the option to use offshore sites.
Saskatchewan operates eight land-based casinos and is preparing to introduce Playnow as its official platform. Sports betting is limited to parlay bets through Sport Select.

Eastern Canada:

New Brunswick has one major casino and allows residents to gamble on offshore sites since no government-run online platform exists. Sports betting is available through Pro-Line.
Nova Scotia offers two government-operated casinos but no regulated online gambling site. Players rely on offshore platforms, and sports betting is available via Pro-Line.
Prince Edward Island (PEI) features a single casino (Red Shores) with live horse racing. Like other Atlantic provinces, it lacks a government-run online gambling site but permits offshore play.

Northern Canada & Smaller Regions:

Newfoundland and Labrador don’t have any land-based casinos or a government-run online gambling site, but offshore sites are still accessible.
The Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut have very limited gambling options, with no casinos or local online platforms. Residents rely on offshore sites, and lottery games are available through WCLC.

Will Other Provinces Follow Ontario’s Lead?

Ontario’s success with online gambling has started a debate across Canada. Should other provinces follow its example? There are clear benefits, but also some big challenges.

One major advantage is tax revenue. A licensed market lets the government collect taxes from gambling companies, keeping money in Canada instead of sending it to offshore sites.

A regulated system also offers better player protection, with strict rules to promote responsible gambling. Plus, competition leads to better bonuses, more games, and improved services for players.

But not every province is eager to change. Many rely on government-run gambling platforms, like lotteries, which bring in a lot of money. Allowing private companies to reduce these earnings.

Politics also plays a role, as gambling is a sensitive topic, often linked to addiction and social issues. Setting up a system like Ontario’s would take time, money, and new rules.

Some provinces are already considering change. Alberta, which runs PlayAlberta as its only platform, might allow private operators in the future.

British Columbia and Quebec could be interested because of the potential revenue, though their strong lottery corporations might resist. Saskatchewan just launched its first government-regulated online casino and may expand later.

As discussions continue, the question remains whether more provinces will embrace Ontario’s model or maintain the status quo.

What a Nationwide Regulatory Shift Could Mean for Players

If more provinces follow Ontario’s example, online gambling in Canada could change in big ways. A fully regulated market would bring both benefits and challenges.

On the bright side, gambling would be safer. Stricter rules could include self-exclusion programs and deposit limits to help players stay in control.

More competition between gambling sites would mean better promotions, more game choices, and an improved experience. Plus, strict regulations would protect players from scams, unfair practices, and sudden site shutdowns.

But there could be downsides, too. Access to offshore gambling sites might be blocked, giving players fewer options. Advertising rules, like those in Ontario, could spread, banning celebrity endorsements and limiting big promotional campaigns.

Also, new licensing fees and possible taxes on winnings might affect how much players get to keep. In the end, a fully regulated market could make gambling in Canada fairer and safer. But it might also change the level of freedom Canucks currently have when choosing where and how they play.

The Future of Online Gambling in Canada

Moving forward, Ontario’s model will either inspire nationwide adoption or remain a provincial exception. The province’s success or challenges will likely influence how other regions handle online gambling reform.

Alberta appears to be the most likely to follow, with plans already in motion to introduce a regulated market. If Ontario’s revenue keeps growing, bigger provinces like Quebec and British Columbia might also decide to open their markets to private operators.

Ontario’s gambling market has come a long way. Revenue’s up, their regulatory system seems to be working, and they’re even making progress on a central self-exclusion program.

Another factor to watch is federal involvement. While gambling is currently regulated at the provincial level, ongoing discussions could lead to national guidelines. If that happens, Canada’s online gambling industry could see even bigger changes.

Looking ahead, we can expect some changes. Cross-border gaming might become a thing, advertising rules could get stricter, and more provinces might start regulating gambling.