Canada
Payments crucial to ongoing growth of US online sports-betting market
Paysafe research reveals that streamlined payouts and alternative payment methods are critical to the market’s success in 2021
Quickly and easily receiving payouts of winnings is the most important factor for U.S. sports bettors when selecting an online sportsbook, and prioritized by 37% of players, according to research released today by Paysafe, a leading integrated payments platform. The latest All the Ways Players Pay report also suggests that offering digital wallets and other alternative payment methods allows sportsbooks to overcome the challenge of card declines.
Based on a consumer survey commissioned by Paysafe in December 2020 in eight regulated iGaming markets – Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia –the research reveals the paramount importance of streamlined frictionless payments to the market’s future success. When choosing an online brand, players are prioritizing fast payouts, and considering this more important than: brand reputation (32%), promotions (28%), competitive odds (27%), and sports markets offered (11%).
Getting payouts right also appears fundamental to customer retention, with 79% of sports bettors left with a negative impression of an online sportsbook if they wait longer than expected to receive funds after making a withdrawal.
Players’ focus on payouts comes amidst a broader online shift in the U.S. gaming space galvanized by COVID-19. Over two thirds of sports bettors (68%) agree that the pandemic has made them more comfortable with wagering online. Their experience appears very positive, with 61% planning to bet online more frequently in 2021.
Despite strong expected market growth, significant challenges remain in the sector such as customers’ credit and debit cards transactions being declined when they attempt deposits. And this number seems to be growing, with 14% of sports bettors consistently incurring card declines compared to the 10% reported in the inaugural All the Ways Players Pay report of January 2019, suggesting the issue is arguably getting worse.
Card declines inevitably impact a brand’s customer retention and, ultimately, acquisition. Close to half of players (47%) would blame the sportsbook directly for a decline, 45% would leave the brand due to persistent card declines, and 65% would not recommend the sportsbook to peers.
Players’ immediate behavior when faced with a card decline, however, indicates the value of alternative payment methods in helping a sportsbook overcome this challenge. While a card decline would drive 19% of players to leave the sportsbook, 73% would continue to attempt a transaction, with a digital wallet the preferred payment method of choice (35%). One out of ten (8%) would use eCash.
The broader value to operators of alternative payments, and digital wallets especially, is indicated by analyzing high-volume bettors (those who bet more than 7 times a week). While a credit or debit card is the preferred payment method of all players (29%), when focusing exclusively on high-volume bettors, this shifts to digital wallets (favored by 35%).
The ability of digital wallets to move funds quickly and easily between multiple sportsbook accounts appears to be the rationale for this preference, with 84% of such players considering this important when wagering.
eCash is the other major alternative payment method helping operators to meet player needs. Confidence in the security of online transactions is improving, with 64% of sports bettors saying they are more confident in making a deposit than they were a year ago, though concerns remain. And operators may be able to reassure such concerns with a payment offering that includes an eCash solution, which negates the need to share bank account or card details online, with 54% considering this the most secure payment method.
Philip McHugh, Paysafe’s CEO, commented: “Since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court repeal of the federal ban on sports betting, the market has shown incredible growth, most recently in the online and mobile space during the COVID-19 pandemic. Against the backdrop of additional states regulating iGaming, our research indicates that the online market will continue to expand in 2021 and beyond – and payments will play a critical role in helping operators drive that growth.
He added: “Payments is a fundamental consideration when players choose and stay with a sportsbook, so it’s vital that operators and the wider market streamline how players deposit, wager, and receive winnings as a result. Card declines remain a significant issue, and as industry stakeholders work to address this, operators can leverage digital wallets and eCash to provide players with alternatives that complete their payment offerings.”
Visit Paysafe’s iGaming page for more information on how the company serves the industry.
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Alberta
MediaTroopers lines up eight operator partners ahead of Alberta launch
MediaTroopers said it is preparing to launch in Alberta’s regulated gaming market on July 13, as Canada’s next regulated commercial gaming market opens.
The digital marketing and customer acquisition firm said it plans to enter Alberta alongside eight “premium operator” clients, which it said are also preparing for their own market entries. MediaTroopers did not name the operators.
The company said its Alberta offering will mirror its work in Ontario, including localized acquisition strategies, compliance-focused marketing, regional player education, and market-tailored performance campaigns.
MediaTroopers also said it has seen “strong interest” from Alberta players through pre-registration activity, without providing figures.
“Alberta represents an exciting next step for regulated iGaming in Canada, and Media Troopers is ready to support operators from day one,” said Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers. “Our experience in Ontario has given us a strong understanding of what it takes to enter a new Canadian market successfully, from compliance and localization to scalable player acquisition. With eight of our premium clients already preparing for launch and early pre-registration traction underway, we see Alberta as a market with tremendous potential.”
The post MediaTroopers lines up eight operator partners ahead of Alberta launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Canada
MediaTroopers Makes Preparations for Upcoming Alberta Launch with Eight Premium Operator Partners
MediaTroopers, the leading digital marketing and customer acquisition firm, has announced that preparations are underway for its upcoming launch in Alberta’s regulated gaming market, scheduled to go live on July 13. As part of those preparations, MediaTroopers will enter the province with eight of its premium operator clients, who are already preparing for their own entries.
With the launch of Canada’s second regulated commercial gaming market, Alberta has quickly become one of the most anticipated market opportunities for operators looking to expand. MediaTroopers has already cemented itself as a reliable partner in Ontario’s regulated market, supporting operators in one of North America’s most competitive markets, and it will bring that same expertise as it enters Alberta.
Much like Ontario, MediaTroopers will continue to support operators in Alberta with localized acquisition strategies, compliance-focused marketing, regional player education, and market-tailored performance-driven campaigns.
MediaTroopers has already seen strong interest from Alberta players through pre-registration activity. With eight of its premium clients also preparing to go live, the company expects to play a pivotal role in helping other licensed operators to build up brand visibility and recognition among players in the region from day one.
With its launch in Alberta, MediaTroopers remains committed to supporting sustainable, responsible, and compliant growth across Canada’s regulated market.
“Alberta represents an exciting next step for regulated iGaming in Canada, and Media Troopers is ready to support operators from day one,” said Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers. “Our experience in Ontario has given us a strong understanding of what it takes to enter a new Canadian market successfully, from compliance and localization to scalable player acquisition. With eight of our premium clients already preparing for launch and early pre-registration traction underway, we see Alberta as a market with tremendous potential.”
The post MediaTroopers Makes Preparations for Upcoming Alberta Launch with Eight Premium Operator Partners appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alberta
Why Alberta Represents the Next Major Growth Opportunity for Gaming Operators
Alberta’s iGaming market launch is right around the corner, going live on July 13 with 43 operators already approved, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and PointsBet.
Media Troopers is also set to enter the market alongside eight of our premium clients, with the mission to help operators capitalize on one of North America’s most anticipated markets through a suite of marketing tools designed to promote brand growth in the new region.
The Build Up to Canada’s Next Regulated Market
Alberta’s regulated iGaming market took shape with the introduction of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, in March 2025.
Championed by Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally, the legislation aimed to bring online gambling into a regulated framework, addressing concerns that around 70% of the province’s online gaming revenue was flowing through unregulated operators.
The bill passed in May 2025, establishing the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee the market, with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission retaining regulatory responsibilities.
In my opinion, Alberta represents one of Canada’s most attractive growth opportunities for operators. The province is home to more than 4.8 million people, including 1.6 million adults aged 25-44, its largest demographic group.
With research published last year by Pew Research showing that sports betting participation is highest among younger adults, Alberta’s population profile aligns closely with key betting audiences, creating strong potential for customer acquisition and long-term market growth for operators.
Ontario’s Regulated Market as the Blueprint
Alberta isn’t the only province to have a regulated market. Ontario’s market, which went live in 2022, has ultimately become the benchmark for Alberta’s upcoming launch.
In its fourth year of operation, the province’s iGaming regulator, iGaming Ontario (iGO), recorded $4.2 billion in gaming revenue and a further $103 billion in wagers. The province is home to 44 licensed operators and 78 gaming platforms. A recent Ipsos study cited by iGO found that the market effectively encourages residents to gamble responsibly, with 91.1% of respondents preferring regulated platforms.
Speaking at the Toronto SBC Summit in May, Nally actually referenced using Ontario as a reference for Alberta, commending the safeguards it had in place to protect consumers from unregulated gambling.
That being said, Ontario’s success demonstrates the growth potential of a well-regulated market and provides a proven blueprint for Alberta’s expansion, with operators sure to capitalize on that new demand.
How Alberta Differs from Ontario
Operators entering Alberta need to know it won’t be the same as Ontario. Despite Nally expressing that Ontario was essentially a model for their own regulated market, it will come with some tweaks, or in Dally’s words, it will have its own “Alberta perspective.”
Most notable is Alberta’s revenue-sharing model that allows operators to retain 80% of generated revenue. On top of that, a further 3% contribution will be directed toward public priorities, with 2% allocated to First Nations and 1% supporting responsible gambling initiatives, including self-exclusion programs.
This framework looks to reflect Alberta’s commitment to balancing social responsibility with commercial opportunity. By ensuring that First Nations can benefit from market growth while maintaining consumer protections, the province aims to create a strong regulatory environment.
That same environment, I think, aligns closely with Media Troopers’ values, helping operators expand into new markets while supporting responsible, long-term industry growth.
How Operators Can Scale Alberta to Reach New Levels of Growth
Operators are sure to succeed and find growth from day one in Alberta’s upcoming market by leveraging Media Troopers’ proven customer-acquisition expertise. With a strong track record across multiple global markets, including close to home in Ontario, we are sure to help operators build brand awareness and retain players while navigating the new environment with confidence.
Like always, Localization is key in new markets. At Media Troopers, we can supply the tools needed to generate performance-driven campaigns that help operators really connect with their new audience and adapt to Alberta’s distinct regulatory environment.
That said, Alberta is not just another Ontario; it is a market with its own audience, culture, and expectations. I believe that operators who embrace those differences will be best positioned to achieve sustainable, long-term growth in North America’s newest market.
Written by Shmulik Segal, CEO and Co-Founder of Media Troopers.
The post Why Alberta Represents the Next Major Growth Opportunity for Gaming Operators appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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