Canada
Ontario: opportunity knocks

The newly regulated market of Ontario, Canada, is rich with possibilities, with a customer base that is passionate about the world of sports and a demand for betting to match. Antonis Karakousis, Director of Operations at Altenar, discusses the potential of the province and how the company is setting out to provide the market with a best-in-class sports betting offering.
Congratulations on Altenar’s Ontario licence and your debut in Canada! Can you talk us through the licensing process and how long this has been in the works?
We had to meet a list of standards and a variety of requirements, as well as auditing our sportsbook with an independent test lab, but the potential of this province means it was more than worth the challenge. We continue to make worldwide progress as a company and going live in Ontario is proof of that.
Looking to the Canadian market – how do you see the development of Ontario as being a platform for kick-starting regulated online betting across the rest of the country?
Ontario has set the standard for how the rest of Canada can move into regulated gaming. The potential is clear to see: iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, has reported that Ontario’s igaming revenue for the quarter ending June 30 came to CA$162m (£106.1m/€123.9m), the first quarter on record after the market opened in April this year. There were also 492,000 active player accounts within the quarter, which spent an average of $113 per month. There’s a robust, fair regulatory regime in place, along with a knowledgeable sports and betting audience. I am sure the rest of the country will follow Ontario’s example.
On entertainment and engagement – what’s Altenar got in store for Canadian players? What are your team planning to bring to the table to really start making a difference for operators?
Ontario’s sports fans and bettors deserve the best betting opportunities, and we’re excited to now offer them Altenar’s tier 1 product, which includes: competitive parlays and teasers, a bet builder, a variety of player props, boosted odds, official data of North American Leagues, and a native mobile application.
From your experience, which verticals are going to be key for the Canadian market? How popular are the likes of virtuals and esports compared to the more mainstream NHL?
I believe that esports is the next big thing. The NHL and NFL will remain the kings of traditional betting activity, but we have noticed huge growth in esports and this is where the greatest potential lies. It represents a great way to reach a younger demographic and tap into a new audience. It is being taken seriously on all fronts – esports has been mentioned as a possible Olympic sport and was included as a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games, which has previously served as a gateway for judo and taekwondo to become Olympic sports.
Talk us through the next 12 months for Altenar – how do you see yourselves getting going in Ontario?
Betting with a licensed provider always means peace of mind and added security. We are proud to be one of the first igaming sports betting providers regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and we look forward to applying our expertise to help build a trusted and competitive Canadian sportsbook.
Canada
Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.
Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.
Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.
Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.
Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.
Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.
“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.
“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”
Canada
Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].
Registration and program details will be released later this fall.
Canada
absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
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