Spring 2025: Canadian Betting World News Digest

The Canadian betting sector continues to evolve, bringing new developments that impact players, operators, and stakeholders across the country. From shifting political wagering odds to major corporate partnerships, staying informed is essential to understanding the direction of the market.

Our goal is to keep you updated with the most relevant news, offering insight into key trends shaping the industry. In this article, we’ve selected three of the most noteworthy events in Canadian gaming and sports betting this season.

Ontario sportsbooks split on Canada’s tight election race

With the federal election approaching on April 28, Ontario bookmakers are actively taking bets on whether the Liberals will retain power or if the Conservatives will take over. Among 11 sportsbooks, four favour Mark Carney’s Liberals, two back Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, and five see the race as a dead heat. This split highlights just how unpredictable the outcome remains.

Betting odds vary, with Bet99, FanDuel, Pinnacle, and PointsBet favouring the Liberals, while Bet365 and theScore BET lean toward the Conservatives. Those looking for the best return on a Liberal win should check theScore BET, while Pinnacle offers the best odds for a Conservative victory. As election day nears, shifts in polling data could influence these numbers.

Though betting odds provide insight into public sentiment, they are not direct predictions. Current polling data from CBC’s Poll Tracker shows the Liberals at 39.6% support, narrowly leading the Conservatives at 37.3%, with smaller shares for other parties. The race remains highly competitive, and both sportsbooks and polls indicate a tight contest. With no clear frontrunner, this is shaping up to be one of Canada’s most unpredictable elections in recent history.

In Ontario, betting on various events, including political outcomes, is completely legal. This makes wagering in the province exciting for a broad audience, not just sports fans. In fact, in one of our previous articles, we covered some of the more unconventional types of bets that are particularly popular among Canadians.

GiG expands Ontario presence with PowerPlay partnership

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has further strengthened its presence in Ontario’s market through a newly announced partnership with PowerPlay Online Casino & Sportsbook. With this collaboration, PowerPlay has successfully migrated to GiG’s advanced technology platform, a move expected to significantly enhance its operations in the province. This marks the fourth Ontario operator powered by GiG in 2025.

PowerPlay is now leveraging GiG’s innovative solutions, including its cutting-edge sports betting platform, SportX, and its sophisticated content management system. In addition, the integration of AI-powered tools like DataX and LogicX will enable the operator to optimize player engagement strategies, refine decision-making processes, and improve retention rates. These enhancements will provide users with an improved, more immersive betting experience while ensuring operational efficiency for PowerPlay.

As Ontario continues to solidify its position as one of North America’s top iGaming markets, partnerships between technology providers and operators will be crucial in maintaining a competitive and dynamic landscape. PowerPlay’s transition to GiG’s platform highlights a broader industry trend where operators seek to enhance their offerings through technological advancements, ultimately benefiting both businesses and players alike.

Canadian lotteries collaborate for national PROLINE sportsbook

While Ontario has dominated recent gaming industry headlines, other provinces are also making moves – albeit at a slower pace. The regulatory landscape outside Ontario remains more fragmented, with fewer operators and less market competition. However, a significant development is taking shape as multiple provincial lotteries take steps toward launching a unified sports betting platform.

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have issued a Request for Proposal in search of a technology provider to power a new national sports betting solution. This initiative will allow participating lotteries to offer a shared online sports betting platform under the well-known PROLINE brand.

Both ALC and BCLC have long used the PROLINE name for sports betting, with BCLC currently operating in-person wagering and online betting via its PlayNow platform. By selecting a single tech partner, the two lotteries aim to provide a seamless and consistent betting experience for Canadian players.

Although this is not an official Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) initiative, additional provincial lottery operators may join in the future. Loto-Québec has expressed potential interest in participating, stating that a national sports betting product could align well with its existing lottery offerings.

While the PROLINE platform marks a significant step in the evolution of Canada’s sports betting market, it’s unlikely to completely replace independent sportsbooks – whether they operate in the gray market or hold provincial licenses. Instead, the market is expected to remain diverse, offering bettors a range of options to suit their preferences.

For those interested in exploring alternative betting platforms, we’ve covered foreign sportsbooks licensed in Canada in a separate article. Be sure to check it out to discover reliable options beyond provincial offerings.

Relevant news