Five years after Canada authorized single-event sports betting, Ontario and Alberta are the only provinces with competitive private online markets. Most other jurisdictions continue to rely mainly on provincial lottery systems.

Canada has one federal framework for single-event betting, but no single national online market.

The federal change took effect on August 27, 2021. It amended the Criminal Code to allow provinces and territories to conduct and manage single-event sports betting. Horse-racing pari-mutuel betting remained under federal jurisdiction, according to the Canada Gazette.

Ontario opened the first private market

Ontario launched its competitive internet gaming market on April 4, 2022. Operators must register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Except for Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation services, they must also sign an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.

As of August 6, 2026, iGaming Ontario listed:

  • 48 regulated operators
  • 83 gaming websites
  • Casino, poker, bingo and sports-betting products

Ontario requires players to be at least 19. Its controls cover age and identity checks, geolocation, anti-money-laundering measures and responsible gambling.

Ontario also introduced BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion tool. Launched on May 14, 2026, it allows eligible players to block access to all regulated online gaming sites in the province, including OLG.ca, for a selected period.

Alberta added a second competitive model

Alberta’s regulated online gaming market opened on July 13, 2026. Operators need registration from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and a commercial agreement with Alberta iGaming Corporation, the government’s market conduct and management entity.

The two bodies have separate roles:

  • Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis oversees regulatory compliance.
  • Alberta iGaming Corporation handles commercial agreements, income reporting and related market functions.
  • The province’s market materials identify centralized self-exclusion and advertising restrictions aimed at protecting minors and vulnerable players.

Alberta sets the minimum age at 18, compared with 19 in Ontario. The difference illustrates how the same federal betting reform produces different requirements across Canada.

Most provinces kept lottery-led systems

British Columbia identifies PlayNow Sports as its only legal online sportsbook. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation operates the platform. It offers single bets, live wagering and other sports markets.

Players in British Columbia must be at least 19 and physically located in the province.

Quebec uses Loto-Québec’s Mise-o-jeu+ system for online sports betting. The platform offers single-event bets, but it remains a lottery-operated model rather than Ontario’s multi-operator framework.

Quebec requires online players to be at least 18, resident in the province and physically located there.

Atlantic Lottery offers single-event wagering through its PRO•LINE products. Its official rules state that eligible events and markets can vary among the Atlantic provinces. The Atlantic Lottery account system requires players to be at least 19.

One federal change, different operating systems

The 2021 amendment created permission for provincial and territorial markets, not a national licence. Each jurisdiction decides who may operate, which government body manages the market, what products are offered and how advertising and self-exclusion are handled.

  • Ontario: Private operators contract with iGaming Ontario and are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
  • Alberta: Private operators need registration from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and a commercial agreement with Alberta iGaming Corporation.
  • British Columbia: The British Columbia Lottery Corporation operates PlayNow Sports as the province’s legal online sportsbook.
  • Quebec: Loto-Québec operates Mise-o-jeu+ for online sports betting.
  • Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Lottery provides the regional lottery-led sports-betting service, with some product rules varying by province.

This structure gives operators access to two competitive markets, but it also creates separate compliance obligations. Age checks, geolocation, responsible gambling tools, advertising rules and dispute processes must be assessed by jurisdiction.

Player protection is the next test

Ontario’s market data covers private operators with trading activity. It excludes OLG’s internet gaming offering and pari-mutuel horse-racing wagering.

iGaming Ontario says its figures are unaudited and subject to adjustment. Comparisons must distinguish wagers from gaming revenue and identify the reporting period.

Alberta’s launch raises a separate question: whether a competitive market can draw players away from unregulated sites without weakening safeguards.

The Alberta government estimates that unregulated operators account for about 70% of the province’s total iGaming market. That estimate is not directly comparable with Ontario’s regulated-market reports.

Five years after the reform, Canada has two competitive private online markets alongside several lottery-led systems. The practical effect for players and operators depends on the province.