Gambling Weekly News Summary in Canada – 2026/04/18
Canadian Gaming Association Responds to Criticism of Ontario iGaming Rollout
Canadian Gaming Association’s President and Chief Executive, Paul Burns, has dismissed criticism from former MP Brian Masse over Ontario’s iGaming rollout, saying regulation has focused on player protection and shifting activity away from unregulated operators.
Masse had described Canada’s move to legalize single-event sports betting as “deplorable” and argued that Ontario’s market was implemented too quickly, with too much reliance on private operators rather than a more controlled provincial model.
In an interview with Casino.org, Burns defended the rollout, saying online gambling existed in Canada before regulation and that Ontario’s framework was intended to bring existing play into a regulated system with stronger consumer protections and legal alternatives.
He added that most online gambling activity in Ontario now happens with regulated sites, while unregulated markets are more common in other parts of Canada.
Masse has also raised concerns about the levels of gambling advertising, but Burns argued that enforcement should focus on illegal operators rather than licensed firms operating under provincial oversight. Burns also emphasized that provinces retain responsibility for the design of regulations.
Bally’s Intralot Signs Deal with British Columbia Lottery Corporation
Gaming technology company Intralot Canada, a subsidiary of Bally’s Intralot, has signed a new contract with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) to provide support with lottery technology and operations across the province.
Under the agreement, Intralot Canada will provide technical support for BCLC’s lottery systems, including integration of new features and ongoing development of their platforms.
The President and Chief Executive at BCLC, Pat Davis, said the deal would help the company’s digital transformation strategy and would boost efficiency.
“BCLC looks forward to continuing its partnership with Bally’s Intralot in service of a more efficient, streamlined, and resilient operating framework that delivers an elevated experience for our players across both our retail and digital channels,” he said in a statement.
Bally’s Intralot Chief Executive Robeson Reeves added that the agreement builds on an existing partnership and supports the company’s expansion in the Canadian market through integrated service delivery.
The contract includes plans to enhance existing lottery technology and to integrate new features, which BCLC says are needed to maintain operational continuity.
Alberta Granted Intervention in Supreme Court Online Gaming Case
Alberta has been granted intervenor status by the Supreme Court of Canada in a case that concerns the legality of international pooled liquidity for online iGaming.
The case follows a 2025 Ontario Court of Appeal decision that ruled Ontario could lawfully connect peer-to-peer gaming activity with players outside Canada, a ruling now being challenged by several provincial lottery corporations.
Alberta filed its motion in March, arguing that it should be involved in the case due to its upcoming launch of an online gaming market and the potential implications for cross-border liquidity arrangements.
Under the order, Alberta will be able to file written submissions and present a limited oral argument, but won’t be able to provide new evidence or take a position on the final outcome.
Other intervenors in the case include the Canadian Gaming Association, several private gaming operators, and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. They join the Canadian Lottery Coalition, which includes lottery organizations from Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, which represents the four Atlantic provinces.
DraftKings To Apply for Alberta License
Sportsbook operator DraftKings has announced its intent to launch in Alberta’s upcoming regulatory market, pending licensing and regulatory approval.
Alberta residents can already pre-register ahead of DraftKings launch. Alberta would also mark the second province in which DraftKings operates, following Ontario.
If approval is granted, DraftKings is expected to launch its sportsbook and casino on the market’s universal launch date, July 13, 2026.
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/
