Gambling in the USA
Regulations on Online Gambling in Canada Have Changed. Here’s How the Provinces Are Responding
The gambling industry in Canada is getting a shakeup—and that’s good news for Canadians! The changing laws mean that Canadians now have more options when it comes to online gambling.
While some provinces have already embraced the change, others are slower to adapt. We’ll explain how Canadian gambling laws have changed, which provinces are implementing changes, and what this means for Canadians.
Canada Opens Up to Online Gambling
Though changes in the Canadian gambling landscape may just now be becoming apparent in some provinces, the shift began last year. In August 2021, Bill C-218 came into effect. The bill changed the Canadian Criminal Code to make single-event sports betting legal.
Before the change, only parlay bets were legal. This restriction gave Canadians far fewer options when it came to gambling, particularly sports betting.
The government touted the change as a chance to strengthen the economy and keep Canadians safer. This choice was partly influenced by the fact that many Canadians have already engaged in single-event sports betting online via grey market websites.
Another important aspect of Bill C-218 is that it allows sports betting to occur in both physical casinos and online. By allowing provinces to offer gambling online, the government hopes to limit the use of the grey market.
Canadians were able to use these websites because they weren’t operating on Canadian soil, meaning it technically wasn’t illegal to use them. The changing laws are intended to combat the grey market and bring competition back to Canada.
However, provinces have all been moving at their own pace when it comes to moving forward with the expanded regulations.
Which Provinces Have Started Offering Online Gambling?
With such a huge shift in the industry, many provinces are also taking the opportunity to launch or expand their iGaming offerings. However, each province is going by a different timeline, and not all provinces currently have the same regulations.
Ontario
Ontario was the first province to fully regulate online gambling with its new provider, iGaming Ontario (IGO). This provider is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and was launched in April 2022. The IGO offers esports betting as well as online casinos from third-party operators.
This is great news for Ontarians, as we already see a lot of competition in the online gambling space. In fact, there are so many great online gambling websites that players might have trouble choosing. That’s where review websites like casinosource.ca come in handy. With the launch of iGaming Ontario, the province is setting an example for a new framework for the rest of the country.
Quebec
Quebec currently has one government-regulated website that offers online gambling. Espacejeux started offering single-event betting as soon as the new law was enacted.
Even after the change, Loto-Québec was still concerned about the grey market in Canada. However, they are making strides toward crushing the competition by partnering with online casino game providers like High 5 Games.
British Columbia
British Columbia was well positioned to enact the new online gambling regulations and offered single-event betting immediately. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) launched its PlayNow Sportsbook website as soon as the laws were allowed on August 27, 2021.
PlayNow.com remains BC’s only regulated online gambling website. At this time, there is no known plan for third-party expansion.
Manitoba
Manitoba also allowed single-event online gambling as soon as it was allowed. Manitoba, along with Alberta and Saskatchewan, is part of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC). As part of this agreement, all provinces in the WCLC have access to the Sport Select online gambling website.
Manitoba also has a long-standing agreement with BCLC, allowing Manitobans access to the PlayNow website.
Alberta
Alberta didn’t get on board with the new laws allowed by Bill C-218 right away. Unlike the previously mentioned provinces, single-event betting wasn’t offered by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) until September 2021.
Similarly to Ontario, Alberta also welcomed third-party competitors along with their launch. Albertans can also gamble online at Play Alberta, the only provincially owned online gambling website.
The Atlantic Provinces
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island are all part of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). Except for Nova Scotia, the ALC provinces allowed single-event sports betting immediately. Nova Scotia waited until February 2022 to implement the change.
The ALC website also allows residents of these provinces to play online casino games. Thus far, there don’t seem to be any plans to allow third-party competitors. However, the ALC has partnered with many video lottery game providers over the past year to improve its online gambling offerings.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan waited a little longer than other provinces to implement the new regulations. Single-event betting didn’t become available until November of 2021.
Through an agreement with SaskGaming, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) was announced as the operator of the Online Gaming Portal. In June 2022, the SIGA signed an agreement with the BCLC to bring the PlayNow website to Saskatchewan residents.
The Territories
The Canadian territories Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon are part of the WCLC as associate numbers. Like Saskatchewan, the territories didn’t allow single-event betting until November 2021.
Though the territories did adapt to the new sports betting laws, online gambling may have to wait a bit longer. Though all three territories have access to WCLC’s Sport Select platform, players must still purchase tickets in-store.
Conclusion
It may have taken some time for the Canadian government to expand its online gambling offerings, but changes are happening fast. Since the changes, each province and territory has been adapting at its own pace. However, it seems it’s only a matter of time until online gambling across Canada becomes the norm.
Revolver Gaming, a leading developer of premium online slot games, is excited to announce its latest partnership with Blazesoft, a leading provider of online social casinos with sweepstakes elements. This partnership will see Revolver Gaming’s acclaimed portfolio of slot games delivered to Blazesoft’s brands, enriching their offering and providing players with cutting-edge entertainment.
Blazesoft is a well-established leader in the social sweepstakes market with leading brands in Fortune Coins, Zula Casino, Sportzino, Yaycasino.com who deliver engaging and compliant gaming experiences to players. By introducing Revolver Gaming’s innovative titles, Blazesoft strengthens its position as a prominent group operating the largest online social casinos in the U.S. and Canada for players seeking immersive and high-quality content.
As part of the collaboration, players on Blazesoft social gaming platforms will gain access to Revolver’s top-performing titles, including Badlands, Irish Coins, and Thor of Asgard. These games, celebrated for their stunning visuals, unique features, and dynamic gameplay, align perfectly with Blazesoft’s mission to offer exceptional entertainment to its users in North America.
Ryan Lazarus, CEO of Revolver Gaming, commented:
“We’re thrilled to partner with Blazesoft, a standout operator in the social sweepstakes sector. This collaboration highlights our commitment to bringing top-quality games to players in innovative and growing markets. The social sweepstakes space is booming, and Blazesoft’s platforms provide the perfect home for our titles to reach and engage new audiences.”
Yuliya Ivanisova, Chief Commercial Officer at Blazesoft said: “With Blazesoft’s established reputation and Revolver’s innovative content, this collaboration sets the stage for enhanced player experiences and strong market performance.”
The partnership underscores Revolver Gaming’s dedication to supporting operators in the social sweepstakes gaming industry, a market that continues to experience tremendous growth. With Blazesoft’s established reputation and Revolver’s innovative content, this collaboration sets the stage for enhanced player experiences and strong market performance.
Renowned for its deliberately different philosophy, JETT/Terrible’s Gaming is now revolutionizing mobile gaming with the launch of Terrible’s Mobile Gaming. Offering Nevadans fast-paced Multi-Player 5 Card Draw Poker on mobile devices statewide, this groundbreaking multiplayer app enables real-money games anytime in Nevada, complete with thrilling features like Royal Flush bonuses of up to $4,500, Four-of-a- Kind payouts of up to $175, and more.
“JETT/Terrible’s Gaming and the Terrible’s brand in general have been making life more convenient for Nevadans for over 65 years. Now, we are excited to bring that same level of convenience to mobile gaming—delivering the excitement of Multi-Player 5 Card Draw Poker directly to our customers, wherever they are, and within the palm of their hand,” said Tim Herbst, President, JETT Gaming & Terrible Herbst Inc.
To celebrate the launch, Terrible’s Mobile Gaming is offering a *deposit match of up to $500 every week. Download the Terrible’s Mobile Gaming app on the App Store and Google Play Store for *details:
In collaboration with Real Gaming, one of Nevada’s pioneering licensed iGaming operators, Terrible’s Mobile Gaming integrates state-of-the-art technology to provide an unparalleled gaming experience across the state.
“Nevada players know that both the JETT Gaming and Terrible’s Gaming brands mean convenience, and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered,” said Lawrence Vaughan, co-founder of Real Gaming. “Players are loving it!”
For more information, visit terriblesmobilegaming.com.
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
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