Canada
Gaming and Gambling Regulation in Canada – Outlook for 2023

Online gambling has been gaining considerable popularity in Canada in the past few years. Many factors contribute to this trend, which include technological advancements, relaxations in government regulations, and growing attraction in youngsters who are looking for new ways to make money aside from a primary and stable income.
According to reports, video games grew at a rate of around 9.51% in 2022 and touched a 2.8 billion USD figure. The industry is expected to grow to reach 3.53 billion USD in 2023. Additionally, revenue from the industry is expected to show a growth rate of 6.54% every year to touch 4.55 billion USD by 2027. These numbers clearly show the positive outlook of the gaming and gambling industry in Canada.
Gambling in Ontario, Canada
In April last year, Ontario opened a new path for gambling businesses and sportsbook managers to launch their virtual casinos. The government amended the legislation so that businesses could apply for casino licenses and begin operations. Today, this license is offered by the Liquor and Gaming Commission. It’s because of this facility that sports betting lovers are able to engage in online gambling and make money while having fun at top sports betting platforms today.
Before Ontario’s historical decision, gambling was extremely regulated and bound tightly under stringent standards in Canada. The only way for gambling companies to operate in Canada was to have their license issued in a particular province where they wanted to conduct business. This tied them to a single province and restricted their overall portfolio and profits.
Gambling in the rest of Canada
All Canadian states except for Alberta have different legislations that they follow. Only Alberta allows foreign gambling companies and third-party gambling companies to run their businesses in the state. That’s why you get to play poker, roulette, and other popular casino games on platforms such as Play Alberta.
In states other than Alberta, gambling is operational but these activities are run and managed by government agencies only. Even then, the norms and regulations are quite strict and gambling companies don’t enjoy adequate freedom in running their business operations. In fact, it was only recently when Bill C-128 was passed after which online casino and sports betting fans received the option to place single-event bets. Before this bill was passed, only parley bets were allowed on multiple events. So, even if players knew how to take their online betting to the next level, their hands were tied.
Gaming and virtual gambling growth
In the big picture, a positive trend in iGaming and gambling industry can be easily observed because of the following factors:
- Technological advancements: Mobile technology is becoming more powerful each year and mobile users are also increasing at a steady rate. Since more people play casino games and other conventional games on mobile than desktops, the iGaming and gambling industry is booming.
- Convenience: Online gambling is super convenient. You don’t have to go to a certain place or need lots of money to partake in online gambling which is why it’s convenient for everyone.
- Deals and promotions: Many online gambling platforms offer attractive bonuses and virtual money to attract players. When new players open accounts, they instantly get bonuses, free spins, and points, etc. These perks serve to boost the gaming industry overall.
2023 Outlook
The gambling and gaming outlook in Canada in 2023 can be assessed by looking at what’s happening in other countries. Even in countries where there are strict laws for gambling- such as India and the US- the governments are slowly easing up the regulations to promote online casinos and sportsbook platforms. We can see many existing online gambling platforms venturing into these markets, and new players entering the industry through these new territories.
Canada is already making it easier for online casino companies to run their business in the country and it will only promote it further in 2023. There are many reasons for it to do so. For starters, making online gambling and betting legal will curb illegal overseas gambling that only serves to hit the government’s tax collections. Additionally, it will also boost the economy as more third-party companies will start new operations in the country to generate more employment. It’s because of these reasons that experts believe the gambling revenue will increase by 30% to 40% by the end of the year.
Conclusion
Canada was once known as one of the strictest countries in gambling governance. However, this image is changing today and as the government is relaxing its regulations, more companies are setting up their businesses in the country. Hence, the general consensus today is that iGaming and gambling industry will continue to grow here in 2023 and many years to come
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Aaron LaBerge
PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone iCasino App, theScore Casino, in Ontario

PENN Entertainment announced that it has launched theScore Casino, a new stand-alone iCasino app in Ontario. The dedicated online casino experience leverages the popular theScore brand, which has been a mainstay in the Ontario market for decades. Now available on Android, iOS, and desktop, customers can login using their existing theScore Bet credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across online gaming platforms.
theScore Casino operates on the same cutting-edge proprietary technology platform as PENN’s online Hollywood Casino, which launched as a standalone product in the US in December. The product was recently ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US.
theScore Casino, also available within theScore Bet app, offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house game development studio. theScore Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as Blue Jays Blackjack, an original title leveraging theScore Bet’s partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays.
“We’re excited to introduce our dedicated iCasino product in Ontario under the well-known and trusted theScore brand. We’ve built a strong online gaming foothold in the Ontario market and are primed to deliver an even better casino experience with our proven stand-alone app. Our customer-friendly platform features more than 1200 games, dozens of original titles and intuitive game play that distinguishes our product and positions us for even greater success,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment.
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Canada
ELK Studios Expands Partnership with SkillOnNet to Ontario Market

PlayOJO, SlotsMagic and SpinGenie to carry ELK Studios’ games in Ontario
Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet and innovative Swedish game creator Elk Studios have cemented their longstanding partnership with the launch of ELK’s groundbreaking portfolio in the Ontario market.
ELK Studios is responsible for some of the industry’s most innovative and engaging online casino games. Now, players at SkillOnNet’s Ontario-licensed casinos, PlayOJO, SlotsMagic and SpinGenie, will be able to experience the feature-packed delights of hit titles like Nitropolis, Tinkerbot and Pirot, as well as new release Orbitfall, and the studio’s signature X-iter and CollectR mechanics.
The expansion marks a milestone for ELK Studios as it continues to grow its footprint in regulated markets worldwide. SkillOnNet recently successfully launched the studio’s portfolio in the Spanish and Mexican markets through its Spanish-language brands and expects the studio’s games to make a similarly immediate impact with Ontario players.
Ontario has become a hugely important growth market since the province launched regulated online gaming in 2022. It was worth $2.4 billion in 2024, with $63 billion in wagering, the lion’s share coming from online casinos.
Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “ELK Studios is known for its high-quality games that blend unique storytelling and humour with high levels of engagement and playability, which is why we’re delighted to introduce them to Ontario. We believe they will perform successfully, as they have in other markets around the world.”
Vaida Cirtautaite, CCO at ELK Studios said: “SkillOnNet has been an invaluable partner in our growth journey, and we are thrilled to expand our collaboration into Ontario. We’re excited to bring our innovative games to a new wave of players in this dynamic market.”
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AGCO
Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application
Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.
As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.
Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.
In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.
Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”
Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”
The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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