Fanatics Betting & Gaming entered Ontario’s regulated online gaming market on September 1, 2026, with casino products but no sportsbook. The launch gives the U.S. company its first Canadian market presence.

Fanatics said it plans to add sports betting in Ontario and enter Alberta in 2027. Both plans remain subject to provincial registrations, agreements and compliance checks.

A casino-first Canadian strategy

The initial Ontario rollout includes hundreds of casino games, including slots, table games and live dealer products, according to Canadian Gaming Business.

Fanatics received approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario on August 11. It then completed the remaining steps required to launch in the province.

The casino-first approach differs from the company’s sports-focused expansion in the United States. In Ontario, Fanatics must first compete for casino customers through game selection, payments, customer service and responsible-gambling controls.

Fanatics President of Gaming Conor Grant told Canadian Gaming Business that the company wants to become a top operator in Ontario, but expects that process to take time.

Ontario’s regulated market listed 49 operators and 84 gaming websites on September 1, according to iGaming Ontario. The directory includes private operators and the government-owned Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Private operators work under agreements with iGaming Ontario. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario remains the regulator.

Why Alberta matters

Alberta’s regulated online gaming market opened on July 13, 2026. The Alberta iGaming Corporation oversees the market, while Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis acts as regulator.

Fanatics was not listed among Alberta’s registered operators when the company announced its 2027 plan, according to the Alberta government.

Alberta uses a different commercial structure from Ontario. The province says 80% of net iGaming revenue will go to operators, while the government will retain 20%.

A further 3% of gross gaming revenue is allocated to First Nations and social-responsibility funding before the net-revenue split.

Fanatics cannot transfer its Ontario approval directly to Alberta. It will need to meet the province’s separate requirements, including registration and an agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation.

What changes for Ontario players

Fanatics Casino is available only to eligible players physically located in Ontario. iGaming Ontario says participants must be at least 19 years old.

Operators must meet provincial requirements covering identity checks, game integrity, player protection, privacy, anti-money-laundering controls and responsible gambling.

  • Fanatics Casino launched in Ontario on September 1, 2026.
  • Fanatics’ Ontario sportsbook is planned for 2027, not the initial rollout.
  • Fanatics also plans to enter Alberta in 2027.
  • Ontario and Alberta require separate provincial market approvals.

Ontario players can use BetGuard to opt out of all regulated online gaming in the province. The system covers private operators and OLG.ca.

That self-exclusion applies across Ontario’s regulated market, rather than only to Fanatics.

The competitive test

Fanatics is entering Ontario after the market has attracted a large group of casino, sportsbook and poker brands. Its immediate challenge is to build casino usage before adding the sportsbook product most closely associated with its U.S. expansion.

The 2027 plans will test whether Fanatics can bring its sports audience into regulated Canadian gaming while adapting to two provincial systems with different commercial and regulatory structures.

The next reported milestones are an Ontario sportsbook approval and Fanatics’ registration to operate in Alberta.