Ontario's Online Casino Market Keeps Growing While the Headlines Watch Alberta

In July 2026, Alberta became the second province in Canada to launch a regulated competitive iGaming market open to private operators. Alongside Ontario, Alberta is now one of only two provinces with this type of regulated market. This has understandably put a lot of focus on Alberta recently.

Ontario's market includes operators such as Betinia Ontario, registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and operating under an agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO).

However, while Alberta may be gathering the headlines, Ontario was the first, launching its regulated market in April 2022. In fact, the development of the online casino market in Ontario may offer a useful indication of what Alberta can expect in the future.

Why the Headlines Are Focusing on Alberta

Alberta is attracting attention because its regulated iGaming market is new. Ontario has had its framework in place since 2022, so the question of whether private operators can legally enter the market there is now well established.

Alberta's regulated iGaming market officially launched on July 13, 2026. The framework was established through the iGaming Alberta Act, passed in 2025, with further regulatory requirements introduced in January 2026. The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) oversees the market, while Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) acts as regulator. Private operators must register with AGLC and enter into a commercial agreement with AiGC before they can legally operate.

The Alberta government estimates that unregulated operators previously accounted for around 70% of the province's iGaming market. The new framework aims to bring more of that activity into a regulated environment, with requirements covering responsible gambling, advertising, player protection and a centralized self-exclusion system.

Ontario Gambling Laws

Like Alberta, Ontario isn't a 'free for all'. An online casino can't simply open up and offer regulated services to residents of the province. Online casinos that operate legally in Ontario are subject to regulatory requirements covering areas including player protection, responsible gambling, financial controls and game integrity.

Players who use regulated operators consequently have protections that may not be available when gambling through unregulated websites. Ontario residents can access confidential support through ConnexOntario, the province's free 24/7 problem gambling helpline.

The Rapid Growth of the Ontario Gambling Market

Before Ontario launched its regulated market, offshore and other unregulated gambling companies were already accessible to residents. However, those operators were not subject to Ontario's regulatory framework, meaning players did not have the same protections available within the regulated market.

Ontario's regulated market officially launched on April 4, 2022, and the figures show that there was significant demand from the beginning.

According to iGaming Ontario's first official market performance report, players placed $4.076 billion in cash wagers during the first regulated quarter, covering April 4 to June 30, 2022. Those wagers generated $162 million in gaming revenue.

Growth continued during the remainder of the first year. By March 31, 2023, Ontario's regulated market had recorded almost $35.5 billion in wagers and $1.26 billion in gaming revenue since launch. Of that total, casino games accounted for approximately $27.6 billion in wagers and $855 million in gaming revenue.

The rapid growth of the Ontario gambling market in its earliest days strongly suggests there was already significant demand for legal, regulated gambling options in the province. It is still too early to make meaningful comparisons with Alberta's growth, but Ontario provides a useful example of how quickly an established online gambling audience can begin participating in a regulated private market.

The Continued Growth of the Ontario Gambling Market

While the Ontario online gambling market isn't growing at the same pace as it did at the very beginning, it is still growing significantly.

During the 2024-25 financial year, players wagered more than $82.7 billion through Ontario's regulated private iGaming market, generating approximately $3.2 billion in gaming revenue. That represented year-on-year increases of approximately 31% in wagers and 32% in gaming revenue, according to iGaming Ontario's 2024-25 Market Performance Report.

Online casino remained the largest part of the market, producing approximately $2.4 billion of the $3.2 billion in total gaming revenue during the year. Betting generated $724 million, while peer-to-peer poker generated $66 million.

The number of operators has also expanded. Ontario launched with 12 operators in April 2022 and had reached 50 operators by the end of the 2024-25 financial year.

Peer-to-peer poker remains a much smaller and more variable part of the market than casino gaming and betting. What matters is that the wider regulated online gambling market in Ontario has continued to grow substantially since its launch in 2022.

What the Future Could Look Like for Ontario and Alberta

The future remains positive for regulated online gambling in both Ontario and Alberta. Ontario has already demonstrated that a regulated private iGaming market can grow significantly, while Alberta is only at the beginning of that process.

There is no guarantee that Alberta will follow exactly the same growth pattern. Population, operator participation and consumer behaviour differ between the two provinces. However, both allow approved private operators to compete within a regulated market and place significant emphasis on responsible gambling and consumer protection.

If Alberta can move a significant proportion of existing players towards regulated platforms, it could experience some of the same early momentum seen in Ontario. For other Canadian provinces, both markets will be worth watching. Ontario has provided the first example of how this model can work in Canada; Alberta will now provide a second.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It discusses trends in Ontario's online casino market and comparisons with Alberta. It does not constitute financial, legal, or gambling advice, and readers should verify information with official sources and follow applicable laws and regulations.