4 Takeaways from the 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit
Industry leaders, innovators, and gaming insiders all came together in Toronto last week for the 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit (CGS), and despite the weather doing its own thing (sun, rain, wind… you name it), the energy inside the event was nothing short of electric.
From hallway chats to mainstage discussions, the future of iGaming in Canada was front and centre. Whether it was Alberta’s big plans, Ontario’s gaming review, or game-changing payment innovations on display, the summit delivered plenty of inspiration. Here are four key takeaways that captured the excitement and momentum shaping the industry’s future.
1. Alberta’s iGaming market is coming—early 2026
Alberta is officially preparing to launch a regulated iGaming market in early 2026. Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta, shared the province’s timeline at CGS, signaling Alberta’s intent to follow a model similar to Ontario’s.
The province continues to engage with First Nations and land-based stakeholders, but it’s clear that Alberta wants to create a framework that supports innovation, competition, and a safe gaming environment. For operators, it’s time to start preparing for what could become Canada’s next major regulated market.
At CGS, Paramount Commerce launched a breakthrough for Canadian iGaming: in-game deposits, a new feature that lets players fund their accounts without going to the cashier.
This was more than just a demo; it was a preview of the next generation of player experience. Attendees visited Paramount’s booth to try it firsthand, and even left the booth with Perry the Paramount Moose as a gift.
Features such as embedded top-up buttons, real-time balance prompts, and QR code deposits create a truly uninterrupted experience. In a market where speed and immersion drive retention, this innovation positions operators to stay ahead of player expectations and the competition.
3. Ontario kicks off major gaming industry review
Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, made a major announcement at CGS: the province is launching a comprehensive review of both its online and land-based gaming sectors.
Describing Ontario as a leader in the global iGaming space, Cho gave the industry a “B+” grade but made it clear that his goal is to get to an A. The review aims to:
Increase efficiency and economic output
Strengthen synergy between land-based and online gaming
Improve tools such as province-wide self-exclusion
Ensure the province remains adaptive to evolving player behaviour
Cho also emphasized the need for industry collaboration and faster government response times:
“The worst thing that government can do is move slowly in an ever-changing environment like this.”
With iGO now a standalone agency and the market maturing, Ontario is setting the stage for its next phase of responsible growth.
4. Payments are the new competitive edge
At CGS 2025, the Payment Leadership Panel brought together experts from Paramount Commerce, Interac, Betty, and Bebe Gaming to explore how payments are evolving in iGaming.
Sereena Boparai, Chief Revenue Officer at Paramount Commerce, shared insights on how Real-Time Rail (RTR) will unlock faster payments, higher limits, and better control over the user experience.
The panelists also highlighted:
AI’s role in fraud prevention and payment personalization
Paramount’s in-game deposits allow players to fund accounts mid-game without leaving the action
Instant, AML-compliant withdrawals via Interac and online bank verification
The importance of seamless UX and trusted payment options in driving conversion and retention
The consensus: over the next 12–18 months, speed, trust, and intelligent payment design will define success for operators in Canada’s competitive iGaming market.
As Alberta prepares for launch and Ontario refines its model, the focus is shifting toward scalable infrastructure, innovative payments, and user trust. Add to that the excitement around Real-Time Rail and AI, and it’s clear: the groundwork for long-term iGaming growth is being built now.
Paramount Commerce is helping operators stay ahead: paramountcommerce.com
