In early 2025, Ontario passed the iGaming Ontario Act, turning iGaming Ontario (iGO) into a fully independent Crown agency. At first glance, this might look like a technical adjustment. In reality, it marked a major shift in how online casino activity is governed. For the first time, commercial relationships with operators are clearly separated from licensing and enforcement responsibilities. That distinction matters because it reduces conflicts of interest while still allowing the market to function efficiently.
Across Canada, casino regulation has always involved careful balancing. Provinces are responsible for licensing and oversight, while also managing public revenue and limiting harm. What stands out today is how actively many jurisdictions are tightening rules, closing grey areas, and demanding higher standards from operators. Taken together, these moves position Canada as a practical example of what responsible regulation looks like when policy adapts to modern online markets.
The Legal and Regulatory Framework in Canada
Canada’s casino laws are shaped by both federal legislation and provincial authority. Under the Criminal Code, provinces have the power to license and regulate casino operations and to prohibit unlicensed activity. At the provincial level, regulators such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) set operational standards and enforce compliance.
AGCO’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming outline requirements around fairness, security, advertising practices, and player safeguards. Ontario formally opened its online market to private operators in 2022 through iGaming Ontario. By mid-2025, iGO was restructured to report directly to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, reinforcing the separation between commercial management and regulatory oversight handled by AGCO.
Operators must meet strict licensing requirements, undergo regular audits, disclose ownership structures, and demonstrate financial transparency. Promotional activity is also regulated, with limits on how bonuses and incentives can be presented. Where self-exclusion programs are in place, players can opt out across all participating sites within the regulated market, rather than having to exclude themselves one platform at a time.
Player Protection Measures and Safer Play Standards
One of the defining features of Canada’s approach is that player protection is built into regulation rather than left to voluntary commitments. Tools such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and clear information about odds are required in many provinces.
In Ontario, regulated operators must provide safer-play information, offer responsible play accreditation, and make support resources easy to access for anyone experiencing harm. Transparency plays a central role. Platforms are required to explain how games work, disclose payout rates, and clearly outline the terms of promotions. Language that implies guaranteed or risk-free outcomes is prohibited.
Advertising is also closely watched. Rules limit celebrity endorsements and restrict marketing to adults who have opted in. Regulators monitor both content and placement to reduce exposure to vulnerable audiences.
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Regulators also collect anonymized data to support research and monitor risk trends. Ontario’s public reports show that most players choose regulated platforms and include regular updates on wagers, revenue, and active accounts.
Economic Impact and Public Benefit
Casino activity—both online and land-based—contributes significantly to public revenue, employment, and local development. Ontario’s iGaming sector alone generated approximately CA$3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue during the 2024–25 fiscal year, with online casino play accounting for roughly CA$2.4 billion. Total wagers reached about CA$82 billion over the same period.
Tax revenue, licensing fees, and revenue-sharing agreements help fund public services. Physical casino resorts support tourism, hospitality, and regional employment, while regulated online platforms provide a legal alternative to offshore operators. When players choose licensed sites, provinces can collect taxes, enforce consumer protections, and reduce exposure to fraud and criminal activity. Ontario’s annual market report estimates that the regulated sector supports close to 15,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
Ongoing Challenges and Criticism
Despite its strengths, Canada’s casino framework continues to face pressure as the market grows. Expansion has brought increased scrutiny in several key areas.
Rising Harm-Related Concerns
Public health researchers estimate that between 2 and 3 percent of adults in Ontario show signs of moderate to severe gambling problems, compared with a national average of roughly 1.5 percent before the expansion of regulated online markets. Early surveys following legalization also point to a noticeable rise in calls to help lines, suggesting that increased availability has been accompanied by greater demand for support and early intervention.
Much of the broader discussion around these trends draws on research and educational work from organisations specialising in harm prevention and safer play, which track risk patterns and provide guidance on reducing long-term impacts. This context helps explain why policymakers continue to balance market growth with the need for stronger consumer safeguards.
Advertising Intensity and Public Exposure
Advertising remains one of the most contested aspects of the current model. Regulators have moved to restrict celebrity endorsements and certain promotional tactics, yet critics argue that the overall volume and visibility of casino advertising still exceed safe thresholds. National polling indicates that more than 60 percent of Canadians feel these ads are too frequent, while nearly half believe existing safeguards do not adequately protect minors or vulnerable groups.
Enforcement Capacity and Transparency Gaps
Questions have also been raised about enforcement consistency across provinces. Some jurisdictions publish limited compliance data, making it difficult for the public to assess operator performance. Smaller operators report that audit and reporting obligations can be costly, sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, which may discourage market entry and contribute to consolidation. Regulators themselves have acknowledged staffing constraints that can slow investigations and routine audits.
What Other Jurisdictions Can Learn
Canada’s experience offers several lessons. Clear separation between regulatory oversight and commercial management reduces conflicts of interest. Requiring transparent information about odds, payouts, and game rules builds accountability. Opening online markets legally-while enforcing strong consumer safeguards—appears to steer players away from unregulated providers without sacrificing oversight.
Endnote
Canada’s casino industry shows that regulation does not have to work against legitimate business. With clear laws, consistent player protections, and transparency, regulated markets can support both economic activity and public interest. Challenges remain, particularly around advertising pressure and harm prevention, but the overall framework demonstrates how oversight can evolve alongside modern online markets while keeping consumer protection at the center of policy.
