When this article was first published in 2022, Ontario was the only Canadian province with an open market for private online operators. In 2026 there are two: Ontario, open since April 2022, and Alberta, which opened on 13 July 2026. This update replaces the earlier outlook with the current position.
Canada’s legal framework
Canada has no federal gambling license. Under section 207 of the Criminal Code, lottery schemes — which include online casino and betting — must be conducted and managed by a province. Provinces that open to private operators do so through a provincial entity that contracts with them, while a separate regulator registers and supervises them. Single-event sports betting has been legal since Bill C-218 in 2021.
The provinces at a glance
| Province | Model | Private operators |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | AGCO registration + iGaming Ontario operating agreement | Yes, since April 2022 |
| Alberta | AGLC registration + Alberta iGaming Corporation agreement | Yes, since 13 July 2026 |
| Quebec | Loto-Québec monopoly (Mise-o-jeu, Loto-Québec online) | No |
| British Columbia | BCLC monopoly (PlayNow) | No |
| Other provinces | Provincial lottery corporations | No |
Ontario
| Item | Position in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) |
| Commercial entity | iGaming Ontario (iGO) |
| Registration fee | CAD 100,000 per gaming site a year |
| Revenue share | About 20% of adjusted gross gaming revenue to iGO |
| Corporate tax | 26.5% combined general rate (federal 15% + Ontario 11.5%) |
| Operators | About 50 |
| Self-exclusion | BetGuard, live since 14 May 2026 |
| Time to market | 4–9 months |
AGCO registration alone does not allow launch: the operator also needs the iGO operating agreement and must meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming on responsible gambling, advertising, security and player protection. Relevant suppliers register separately.
Alberta
| Item | Position in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) |
| Commercial entity | Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) |
| Law | iGaming Alberta Act (SA 2025, c. I-0.2) |
| Application fee | CAD 50,000 per site, one-off |
| Registration fee | CAD 150,000 per site a year |
| Set-aside | 3% of GGR (2% First Nations initiatives, 1% social responsibility) |
| Revenue share | 20% of the remaining net revenue to AiGC |
| Supplier registration | CAD 15,000 (platforms, critical systems) or CAD 3,000 a year |
| Market opening | 13 July 2026 |
Operators need geolocation, certified systems, AML controls and centralized self-exclusion before going live.
Where Kahnawake fits
The Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission has licensed and hosted online operators since 1996. Its authorization does not open Ontario or Alberta, and operators that want those markets need provincial registration. Our earlier news on Ontario’s move from monopoly to open market covers how the Ontario model was designed.
Which opportunity fits which business
- Established B2C brands with regulated-market experience: Ontario and Alberta, ideally planned together, since the compliance systems overlap.
- B2B suppliers: supplier registration in both provinces opens access to every licensed operator.
- Smaller or newer operators: the fixed fees — at least CAD 200,000 a year across both provinces — make a strong business case essential.
How Gambling Consulting Expert can help
We assess eligibility, prepare the AGCO or AGLC registration, coordinate the iGaming Ontario or AiGC agreement, and plan supplier registrations and technical readiness. Contact us.