Sports betting in Canada now reaches every province, just in time for Super Bowl betting.
The Atlantic Lottery Corp. expanded its single-event betting Pro-Line product into Nova Scotia, ALC Communications Strategist Greg Weston confirmed with LSR Friday. The province was the last remaining jurisdiction without online single-game sports betting in Canada.
“Atlantic Lottery is excited to offer this sports betting experience to those Atlantic Canadian adults who choose to play, both online and at retail locations,” Weston said. “By offering this option to Pro-Line players, Atlantic Lottery will keep more sports betting revenues within our region while offering world-class responsible gambling features to players.”
The rest of the provincial lotteries have expanded their offerings since August 2021, when the Canadian Criminal Code changed to allow for provinces to regulate single-event wagering. Previously, the lotteries could offer parlay sports betting products.
Atlantic Canada sports betting
The ALC already offered an expanded sports betting product in the provinces of:
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
Unlike Ontario sports betting, there is no current plan to expand Atlantic Canada provinces to include commercial operators. Ontario’s commercial online gaming market opens April 4.
Nova Scotia sports betting breakdown
The province is home to nearly 1 million people, which is a little more than 2.5% of Canada’s total population. It is the largest of the four provinces that make up Atlantic Canada.
The largest city and capital, Halifax, is home to a National Lacrosse League franchise.
Atlantic Canada loses approximately $100 million a year to gray- and black-market operators, Weston told PlayCanada.
“We continue to monitor the sales of singles in the Atlantic provinces, which have been strong since they became available in August, as players are excited to have this regulated betting option through Pro-Line,” Weston told LSR.
CA Super Bowl betting
The Nova Scotia launch provides all Canadians with an opportunity to bet on the Super Bowl.
This week, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. announced the first Canadian sportsbook partnership with the NFL. Now, the OLC’s ProLine products in Ontario will offer a wide array of Super Bowl odds.
Ontario, with its nearly 15 million residents, is the largest market for sports betting in Canada. The Responsible Gaming Council found 42% of sports bettors in the province will bet on the Super Bowl, including 36% online with OLG products.
Future of Canada sports betting
As mentioned, Ontario will expand its sports betting options April 4. Last week, three operators cleared a crucial step to begin taking bets that day.
Alberta regulators are looking for two sportsbook partners to run retail sportsbooks in the province, with the potential to eventually expand online. Elsewhere in the Great White North, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is gearing up to launch an online product, likely this summer.
The Canadian sports betting market could be worth $28 billion within five years, according to a Deloitte report.
