Gambling Weekly News Summary in Canada – 2026/04/11
Former Canadian MP Calls for Tighter Regulation on Sports Betting
A former Canadian lawmaker instrumental in the push to regulate sports betting nationwide, Brian Masse, has said the legalization of sports betting was not what he had imagined, calling its implementation “sad” and “deplorable.”
Masse, a former New Democratic Party MP, initially introduced legislation to end the ban on single-event sports betting in the country. His measure was again introduced the following year by Conservative MP Kevin Waugh and passed in 2021.
But speaking to CBC News, Masse said the bill’s initial purpose was to modernize the industry while protecting bettors from unregulated markets, yet he added that he did not agree with how some provinces had implemented it.
“It’s deplorable the way that some of the provinces have actually implemented it. They’ve allowed the private sector to basically own and operate,” he said. “I don’t have regrets, but it’s sad to see some of the repercussions. We can still avoid them, too. The story isn’t done.”
Since Ontario opened up its regulated market in 2022, multiple reports have shown the repercussions of legalized sports betting. Recently, a Canadian Medical Association study found a 300% increase in young men contacting gambling support helplines.
Polymarket Becomes Official Canadian Partner of La Liga
Prediction market operator Polymarket has been named as the Spanish soccer league La Liga’s exclusive prediction market partner in Canada and the US, despite Polymarket being banned in Ontario.
According to La Liga, the partnership will introduce a new way for North American soccer fans to engage with the Spanish League. The deal includes what it describes as premium broadcasts, digital and social programming focused on fans, and exclusive fan experiences, such as virtual meet-and-greets with La Liga celebrities.
Polymarket will also provide a clear, responsible framework for users while upholding integrity standards. The operator recently partnered with Palantir Technologies and TWG AI to launch its own sports integrity platform.
“Our goal is to give fans a more expressive way to follow the game, where opinions on players, matches, and season outcomes can be reflected in real time,” said Shayne Coplan, Founder and CEO of Polymarket. “Partnering with LALIGA brings that level of interaction to one of the most passionate global fanbases and introduces a new, more dynamic way for North American audiences to engage with the league.”
OLG Launches New Gaming App with Bede Gaming
Online gaming supplier Bede Gaming has extended its partnership with the lottery regulator, the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG), by launching a revamped version of the OLG.ca mobile app, the Bede Gaming React Native App.
Bede says the upgraded app offers a more seamless experience for players by improving personalization and accessibility. Upgrades will also be more frequent to keep up with demand and changes in player behavior.
“We’re delighted with how quickly and efficiently the transition to Bede’s React Native app has been – and the fact there’s been no disruption for our existing OLG.ca players speaks volumes about the impressive teamwork shown on both sides. The intuitive experience built and well-considered support are representative of the high quality of work we’ve come to expect from our partners at Bede Gaming,” said Dave Pridmore, Chief Gaming Officer at OLG.
“As OLG continues to prioritize our players’ experiences and expectations, we look forward to implementing even more market-leading enhancements throughout our ongoing digital growth,” he added.
Ziv (Steve) Chen
CEO at Major League Content
Ziv has been working in the iGaming industry for more than two decades, serving in senior roles in software developers like Playtech and Microgaming. He then followed his lifelong passion of writing and became a fulltime journalist, covering casinos, sports betting, legislation and other gambling topics and news with a specialty in North America.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-steve-chen-94b01b5/
