iGaming Ontario is preparing for a pivotal period as the province’s regulated online gambling market approaches its fourth anniversary, with new legal developments opening the door to cross-border peer-to-peer play. President and CEO Joseph Hillier said Ontario is evaluating how recent court guidance could shape the next phase of market growth, while stressing that any expansion will require careful coordination with government partners and other jurisdictions.
Ontario currently operates Canada’s only fully regulated iGaming market, which has grown into a multibillion-dollar sector since its launch. As the agency responsible for managing the market, iGaming Ontario oversees a wide range of initiatives, including responsible gambling tools, anti-money laundering oversight, and operator compliance. Hillier said 2026 is shaping up to be an important year as those efforts continue alongside broader policy discussions.
Momentum for cross-border play increased after a November decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal. The court found that it would be lawful under the Criminal Code for the province to permit players in peer-to-peer games, such as online poker and daily fantasy sports, to compete against players located outside Ontario. The ruling followed a reference question submitted by the provincial government earlier in 2024.
Ontario explores next steps after court ruling
Hillier was transitioning into a senior regulatory role when the reference question was first raised. He moved from serving as chief of staff to Attorney General Doug Downey to becoming chief strategy officer at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario before later assuming leadership of iGaming Ontario. As CEO, he is now closely involved in assessing how the province could act on the court’s interpretation.
“Like so many, I’m excited at the possibilities offered by the decision,” Hillier told Canadian Gaming Business this week. “We’re still in an appeal period, but credit to Attorney General Downey for bringing that question forward.
“I think it shows a commitment on the government’s part to continue to push the boundaries and deliver on the promise of what this market could be, and what potentially could come next.”
At present, Ontario’s peer-to-peer segments remain limited. Regulated daily fantasy sports does not operate as a standalone vertical, while ring-fenced online poker accounts for only a small share of overall handle and revenue. Hillier said cross-border liquidity could strengthen these offerings while also supporting broader regulatory goals.
Industry groups welcomed the ruling, noting its potential to expand consumer choice. Hillier said pooled player markets could also help address unregulated activity by drawing players into compliant platforms.
Questions remain on structure and geography
While the court ruling establishes legal permissibility, Hillier said practical questions still dominate discussions. Decisions around which jurisdictions to partner with, how liquidity would be shared, and which products would be included remain unresolved.
Hillier pointed to existing models abroad, including European liquidity-sharing arrangements and the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement in the United States. Whether Ontario could participate in similar frameworks remains an open question.
“We’ve been thinking about it a lot, as you can probably imagine,” Hillier said. “It’s been a hot topic in all quarters and joining the agency, it was one of the first things on my list to assess our options, the plans we’ve got and the conversations we can have.
“The mechanics, a lot of that will be conversations with our government partners, our ministry colleagues, and understanding the government’s overall priorities. Some of those decisions will be driven by them, but iGO is uniquely positioned to engage with jurisdictions and understand how their markets work and what kind of opportunities there could be to come together.
“It’s pretty intricate. I’m continuing to learn more about it myself.”
Beyond poker and DFS?
The court specifically referenced poker and daily fantasy sports as examples of peer-to-peer games suitable for cross-border play. Hillier said those products naturally sit at the center of current discussions, but they may not define the outer limits of what could eventually be considered.
“I think the opportunities could be significant,” Hillier said. “There’s definitely an eagerness to move things along as quickly as possible. But at the same time, it’s understanding where the true opportunities are. Peer-to-peer poker is something that people have spoken about, daily fantasy, maybe even super progressive jackpots on the casino side.
“What could this mean two or three years from now, in terms of the maturity of our market and other possibilities that we haven’t even contemplated? And how do we make sure that whatever approach we take maintains that flexibility so we can continue to pivot and adapt?”
Interprovincial implications
The Court of Appeal also highlighted Criminal Code language allowing provinces to operate lottery schemes jointly with other provinces. The court said pooled liquidity for poker or DFS would meet that definition if multiple provinces agreed to participate.
Ontario currently stands alone as Canada’s only open iGaming market, but Alberta is progressing toward a similar framework. Hillier said collaboration between provincial agencies could become a realistic option once other markets are operational.
“That’s another key opportunity that has been on my mind,” Hillier said. “Everybody’s eagerly watching to see how Alberta’s plans progress, including us. Once they’re in a position to explore those possibilities, we are also.
“As we see other provinces progress on their own plans, I anticipate that will be very much a topic of conversation at the table. As soon as we’re able to share more concrete plans with our operators and other stakeholders, you’ll know what those plans are and what the opportunities are.”
Source:
iGO CEO says Ontario ready to push boundaries on cross-border play, canadiangamingbusiness.com, December 11, 2025
