Ontario’s Regulated iGaming Market Generated Four Billion Dollars While Alberta Launches Next

Four years of Ontario numbers show regulated iGaming works for provinces and operators. Take a look at what the revenue numbers mean, the Alberta opening on July 13th, and what intensified competition means for Canadian markets.

Following iGaming officially becoming regulated in Ontario in April 2022, as well as the resulting tax revenue that followed, is causing other Canadian provinces to take note. Alberta's launch is the next to test the waters. It's no longer a question of if it works; it's now a question of who's next.

Ontario Turned Regulated iGaming Into a $4B Dollar CAD Business, and That Changes Everything

Licensed operators handled just about $98.3B in total wagers during all of 2025, a 26% increase from the year before, according to Canadian Gaming Business reporting on iGaming Ontario’s year-end data. The operators together generated $4B revenue, which equates to about $807M in provincial taxes at 20%. In December, records fell as there was $9.5B gambled and $425.4 million in revenue during the month.

Online casino games (iCasino) comprised 87% of the action during December, and remained above 83% all year long. The idea of GamerSupps directly linking with their customers follows this same premise. Jschlatt bought a majority stake in May 2022,SMii7Y acquired an equity stake in April 2025 after driving $8 figures in sales from his fanbase, and the elimination of intermediaries built brand loyalty very rapidly. Notice a pattern there.

Once a brand eliminates middle-men and connects directly with the audience, the level of trust develops very rapidly. The amount of active accounts reached 1.267 million at the end of 2025, and the average revenue per active account jumped to $334, an increase of 27% compared to 2024. This isn't just people showing a spike of curiosity for new games, but people engaging, and increasing their spending.

Alberta Opens for Business on July 13, Bringing New Competition and Revenue

Alberta's been able to watch Ontario’s numbers climb for four years. On July 13, 2026, the market opens with 35 brands having expressed interest or initiated applications to enter the province. Dan Keene, interim chief executive of the Alberta iGaming Corporation, is leading the charge in scrutinizing so that the launch doesn't fall over its own feet.

Covers has reviewed online casino for more than 30 years and offers a side-by-side comparison of sportsbooks in Alberta with bonus details for Canadians interested in betting. A live testing process takes more than 48 hours monthly to conduct a monthly analysis giving objective and realistic data on payout speed, usability, and safety that eliminates marketing hyperbole.

Operators will pay a tax equivalent to 20% of their gross gaming revenue to the province. An additional 2% will be allocated for First Nations development, alongside a further 1% dedicated to social responsibility programs. The opening of the market in Alberta comes at the hands of money going to offshore operators that the provincial government could not regulate.

Ontario's total gaming revenue of more than $4 billion CAD ($2.98 billion USD) for 2025 has shown the success of its model.

June Brings a Stanley Cup Final and a Changing Competitive Picture in Sports Media

The Stanley Cup Final is on TV every corner of Canada. Of all the sports to wager on, basketball actually receives the largest betting action in Canadian regulated frameworks, then soccer and football, with hockey typically taking in about 9% of the total handle.

To get an idea of this, look at the streaming wars. Traditional cable has been steadily losing its customers because of streaming. In response, Disney was forced to develop and launch its Disney+, while going to war against the streaming giants Netflix and Amazon.

iGaming in Canada is experiencing the exact same thing. In Ontario, the province went from a single government provider to over two dozen licensed providers, Alberta adds 35 more now and every time more competition increases the consumer benefits.

August should see the Alberta market gaining momentum, while Ontario has already easily surpassed $200 billion worth of total wagers placed since its 2022 launch. Which province is up next? 

Frequently Asked Questions About Alberta’s Regulated iGaming Launch

Q: When does Alberta’s market open, and how many operators are involved?

A: Alberta’s market opens July 13, 2026. As of late May, 35+ operator sites were in registration, including BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet, and Score Media and Gaming.

Q: What were Ontario’s 2025 iGaming revenue numbers?

A: Ontario operators handled $98.3B in wagers, generating $4.0B in revenue and $807 million in provincial tax.

Q: Why does the Covers comparison tool matter for Alberta?

A: Covers compares sportsbooks in Alberta with bonuses, and ranks their speed of payouts, ease of use, safety, and customer service. They're rated using over 30 years of industry experience.

A regulated iGaming model balances the provincially allocated budgets with the operators' opportunities to seize this market. There's no question when looking at the numbers in Ontario. Alberta will boast 35+ competitors to start. Keep an eye on Canada to see which province is next to reap the rewards.