Alberta and Ontario Compared: How Canada's Two Open iGaming Markets Work and Where Crypto Fits

Canada has two provinces where private operators can legally offer online casino games and sports betting. Ontario opened its market in April 2022, and Alberta followed in July 2026 with a model built along similar lines. Both markets register operators, centralise oversight and set strict payment rules that exclude crypto deposits. Here is how the two markets compare, what they mean for players in each province and where crypto betting fits for Canadians living elsewhere. Ontario and Alberta split regulation and market management between two bodies, and the table compares the main features.