Canadian iGaming News: August 2025 Digest

The online betting and gambling market in Canada, particularly in Ontario, continues to evolve. In recent months, the spotlight has been on regulatory initiatives, leadership changes, and new product launches. At the same time, statistics show a decline in wagering volumes and player activity, creating a contrast between the growth of infrastructure and actual market dynamics. Below, we take a closer look at the latest news and what it means for the industry as a whole and for players in particular. You can find the previous digest in this article.

DraftKings drops credit cards in the U.S. but keeps them in Canada

Major betting operator DraftKings announced that as of August 25 it will no longer accept credit cards for deposits in the U.S. The company explained that the move is intended to help customers avoid fees and high interest rates often charged by banks on such transactions.

In Canada, however, no changes are planned. In Ontario, credit card deposits remain available, as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) permits this option alongside others. DraftKings continues to operate in the local market not only with sports betting but also with online casinos, including the Golden Nugget brand, which recently entered Canada.

In the U.S., the use of credit cards for online gambling remains controversial. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, have already banned them. In some cases, DraftKings has even faced fines for breaching these rules.

For Canadian players, cards remain a popular deposit method. According to research by Paysafe, in Ontario they rank among the top three payment methods, after debit cards and digital wallets.

OLG launches live horse racing bets

A major update for Ontario players: the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has added the option to bet on horse races via Woodbine Entertainment Group’s (WEG) wagering product, available on OLG.ca and the OLG app. The launch coincided with the prestigious King’s Plate races, held in Toronto in mid-August.

OLG has become only the second operator in the province to offer such a product. The first was Bet365, which introduced horse race betting two years ago – also timed to the King’s Plate. Experts note that interest in horse racing remains consistently strong, and expanding the range of products in Ontario’s regulated market strengthens local bookmakers’ positions in a competitive environment.

iGaming Ontario appoints new president and CEO

The regulator iGaming Ontario (iGO) has announced the appointment of Joseph Hillier as President and CEO, effective September 8, 2025. Hillier previously worked on the implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven iGaming market and brings extensive experience in industry regulation, including involvement in the creation of iGO itself. He succeeds Martha Otton, who led iGO from the launch of the regulated market until stepping down late last year. Since spring, David Smith has been serving as interim head.

According to iGO, Hillier will face several key priorities: introducing a new anti-money laundering system and launching a centralized self-exclusion platform for players. These projects are expected to simplify operations for operators and improve market safety.

Since May 2025, iGO has been operating as an independent agency under the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Previously, it functioned as a subsidiary of AGCO, but after the adoption of the iGaming Ontario Act 2024 it gained independence.

FINTRAC fines British Columbia Lottery Corporation

The federal Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has imposed a $1.075 million fine on the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The penalty was based on violations of Part 1 of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, identified during an inspection. The violations included failure to report suspicious transactions, shortcomings in policies for dealing with high-risk clients, and lack of special monitoring measures for such players.

BCLC manages all official forms of gambling in British Columbia, including betting, lotteries, and casinos. FINTRAC stressed that AML/ATF rules are designed to protect the country’s economy and security, and that failure to comply will result in fines and other measures.

Betting cash wagers in Ontario continue to decline

The latest iGaming Ontario report showed a decline in both wager volumes and player activity. Since spring 2025, cash wagers on sports and other events have been decreasing month by month. In March, the total reached $1.18 billion, but by July it dropped to the year’s lowest figure – around $688 million.

Casinos also saw a decline: after hitting a record $6.95 billion in May, results started to fall. The number of active accounts in July was 948,000, the lowest of the year. Net operator revenue before costs and obligations (NAGGR) also decreased – from $338 million in May to $311 million in July.

We previously covered the reasons behind these trends in this article. Analysts note that the decline has affected all market segments, but especially betting.

Final thoughts

The events of August clearly demonstrate how uneven the Canadian iGaming market remains. Some operators are expanding their offerings, while others face tighter controls and declining revenues. To stay competitive, companies must comply with regulatory requirements while also providing safe and convenient products for players. After all, the growth of iGaming ultimately depends on their choices.

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