Article published on: December 30, 2025, 04:32h.

Latest update: December 30, 2025, 04:32h.

• Ontario’s Gambling Sector Achieves Record Revenue
• Anticipation Grows as Alberta Prepares for Market Launch
• Premier Ford’s Vision for Niagara Falls Casino Expansion

Condensing the top Canadian gaming news of 2025 into a list of five is no easy feat, but we’re ready to take on the challenge.

For instance, what has transpired with the National Sports Betting Initiative launched by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) last spring? The goal was to introduce a unified national sports betting platform aimed at competing with private sector operators. BCLC and ALC stated they were collaborating to create a “best in class” system and were seeking proposals through the MERX platform on behalf of BCLC. The deadline for proposal submissions was extended to May 5.

“Atlantic Lottery and our provincial partners involved in this RFP are currently finalizing an agreement as part of the standard procurement procedure,” a spokesperson from ALC informed us shortly before Christmas. “The results will be publicly disclosed once a successful proponent is chosen.”

This development would certainly have made our top five list had it gained traction.

“It’s like it’s gone down the rabbit hole,” noted an industry insider. “If it takes this long for lottery corporations to reach decisions, it’s no wonder they hold just 11% of the sports market share. Evaluating and deciding shouldn’t take this long.”

1. Canada’s Gaming Landscape: Alberta, Are You Ready?

In June, we received our last update from the Alberta government regarding the anticipated launch of a new iGaming regulatory framework in the province. Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, addressed an audience at the Canadian Gaming Summit, the annual industry networking event in Toronto, to provide insights.

How many operators are likely to enter the market immediately? As per iGaming Ontario’s website, there are currently 48 licensed iGaming operators in Ontario. How closely will Alberta’s new structure mirror Ontario’s? The residents of Alberta certainly have a strong affinity for gaming.

“Many of you want me to talk about our advertising, tax rates, and similar topics,” said Nally. “We haven’t addressed those issues yet. We’re still engaged in consultations.”

“As for timelines, I can’t provide a specific month, but early next year we aim to launch iGaming in Alberta, and we’re thrilled to make that happen. Expect more updates soon.”

2. Ontario’s Prosperity: Billion-Dollar Milestones

According to a senior industry expert we spoke to last week, excessive restrictions often lead to diminished consumer demand within a jurisdiction. This comment was in reference to the lack of momentum for legalizing prediction markets in Ontario, unlike the growing trend in the U.S. with FanDuel and DraftKings launching their own variations of what Polymarket and Kalshi have been doing.

Ontario has not set a cap on the number of licensees, and this is reflected in the financial reports from iGaming Ontario released every month. Let the market dictate player preferences instead of government or regulatory frameworks. This has led to challenges in various U.S. jurisdictions as prediction markets clash with sportsbook operators, the expert added.

November was particularly noteworthy. Total cash wagers reached CAD $9.33 billion, a new record for the province, marking a 1% increase from the previous high in October. Additionally, the total non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) reached CAD $406.2 million, a significant 10% increase from the prior month.

3. Doug Ford’s Casino Expansion Vision for Niagara Falls

We’ll aim to secure a statement from Mohegan in the new year, but can you imagine being in their offices when Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his ambitious plans to transform Niagara Falls into a casino epicenter during a recent press conference? Currently, two casinos operate in Niagara Falls – Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara. Mohegan has a revenue-sharing agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation through 2040 for these operations.

Ford is poised to reshape the landscape. Following his Progressive Conservative Party’s re-election to a majority government in February, Ford has been vocal about enhancing Ontario’s economic standing, especially considering the impact of U.S. tariffs on the province. His vision to turn Niagara Falls into an international Las Vegas-style casino destination, complete with entertainment venues, hotels, and dining options, aims to generate significant tax revenue.

However, the expansion of Niagara Falls could create a ripple effect (potentially involving legal disputes) impacting operators like Great Canadian Entertainment and its Woodbine Toronto property and Caesars with the Windsor casino. Not to mention Mohegan’s interests.

Mohegan: It’s Time to Make a Move

“All the major casinos in Las Vegas, we’re serious about this,” Ford stated during a recent press conference. “This is happening. Get on board, submit your proposals, and show us how you plan to construct a billion-dollar casino resort complete with attractions, cinemas, and live theater. That’s what we envision. A casino is just the start; it’s everything that comes with it that matters.”

“Mohegan is dragging its feet,” Ford emphasized (using hockey terminology). “They must make a decision. You’re either in or you’re out. It’s straightforward. I’m tired of waiting. We must develop Niagara. We want to invite other casinos in, and Mohegan needs to come to the table. We’re doing everything in our power to collaborate with them. But we’ve been at it for two years—it’s time to move forward, with or without them. I’d prefer to progress together, but if they don’t act, we’re moving on.”

Your move, Mohegan.

4. Great Canadian Entertainment Sells Multiple Casinos

In other Canadian casino updates, it seemed like nearly every month we were reporting on another sale of a Great Canadian Entertainment casino property to a First Nation. Five casinos have been sold to Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), which is fully owned by the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

This month marked the fifth major acquisition by the Snuneymuxw involving Great Canadian, with Casino Vancouver joining Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Victoria, River Rock Casino Resort, and Chances Maple Ridge, which have all been sold to PDG. Additionally, Great Canadian announced the transfers of Elements Casino Chilliwack to Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd. and Hastings Casino in Vancouver to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in 2025.

Gaining concrete insights into their intentions has proven challenging, but we will persist. This raises questions about Ford’s comments regarding the expansion of the Niagara Falls casino and Great Canadian’s future plans.

5. Lottery Coalition and the Liquidity Dilemma

As reported by Canadian Gaming Business on December 23, three lottery corporations (BCLC, ALC, and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries) filed a Supreme Court appeal following an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that allows Ontario-based online poker and daily fantasy sports (DFS) players to compete with international players. Casino.org previously noted the likelihood of this Supreme Court appeal.

“I believe this has no chance in the Supreme Court,” claimed an industry insider.

This pivotal ruling from the Ontario Court of Appeal was a 4-1 decision permitting Ontario to legally offer international liquidity—a landmark development that will significantly influence the province’s iGaming sector. Joseph Hillier, President of iGaming Ontario, mentioned the potential for substantial revenue growth in our recent discussion before Christmas, highlighting the opportunities for interprovincial collaboration through liquidity as Alberta prepares to launch its market.

Canadian Gaming Bonus: National Advertising Regulations on the Horizon

The federal Liberal Party, currently holding a minority government and just one seat shy of a majority, has an interesting road ahead. An insider from within the Liberal Party suggests that another Conservative MP may cross the floor to join the Liberals in 2026, potentially solidifying their majority status.

Why is this significant? The National Advertising Standards Bill, championed by Senator Marty Deacon (now recognized as Bill S-211), has been under discussion in Canada’s Parliament for an extended period. The impending risk of a non-confidence vote for the minority government pushes Deacon to prioritize the bill’s passage.

The legislation aims to establish a national framework to regulate sports betting advertising across Canada and set standards that minimize risks and harms associated with the growing influx of sports betting advertisements.

Bill S-211 is set for a second reading in the House of Commons after having already passed through the Senate, with Parliament resuming on January 26.