Betsson Returns to Ontario: What the Casino Days Launch Means for the Province’s iGaming Market

Betsson is back in the regulated online gambling market in Ontario – less than five months after its Betsafe platform ceased taking bets in the province. The Swedish gaming group completed the acquisition of Rhino Entertainment Group’s Canadian business on August 3, 2026 – bringing the Ontario-licensed Casino Days brand under Betsson’s ownership. The transaction provides the company with a renewed consumer presence in Ontario while expanding its position within Canada’s newly launched Alberta iGaming market.

The developments occur as the province’s online gambling market continues to grow and attract established international operators. Latest figures from iGaming Ontario show the province recorded C$9.46 billion in wagers and C$400.6 million in gross gaming revenue in June 2026 – an increase of 30.3% from a year earlier.

Why Betsson Left Ontario Earlier in 2026

Betsson originally entered the Ontario market via its Betsafe brand in 2023. However, Betsafe stopped accepting bets from Ontario customers as of March 31, 2026. The website announced a temporary unavailability of the platform. As such, Betsafe is no longer visible within iGaming Ontario’s current database of regulated operators.

The exit was therefore relatively short-lived. Rather than simply being absent from Ontario going forward, Betsson has returned via an established Ontario-licensed operation.

Casino Days has been active within the regulated market since 2022. By acquiring the parent company’s Canadian B2C assets, Betsson has acquired an existing platform, customer base, and regulatory infrastructure – rather than starting a new Ontario operation from the ground up.

The C$100 Million Acquisition

Betsson announced the acquisition of Rhino Entertainment in March, with the transaction valued at €64.5 million – more than C$100 million. The company committed €51.25 million up front, with the balance of the purchase price to be paid out six months after the transaction completion date.

The acquisition encompasses Rhino’s Canadian B2C operations and assets, including Casino Days, as well as technology used in Rhino’s business-to-business operations. Betsson noted that the proprietary front-end and middleware technology have the potential to support additional licensing revenue through its B2B business. This deal is therefore beyond returning to Ontario. If anything, it gives Betsson a broader Canadian platform and technology assets that support its expansion strategy.

Casino Days Strengthens Betsson’s Canadian Position

Casino Days represents the most important asset within Betsson’s Ontario strategy. The platform has indeed been licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) since 2022 – offering online casino gaming within the province.

The brand entered the Alberta market when it launched its iGaming market on July 13th, 2026. Casino Days featured among the 22 operator sites active on Alberta’s very first day of regulated commercial iGaming.

This provides Betsson with access to two of Canada’s private-operator markets through a single acquisition. That is particularly important given that Alberta has created yet another very major regulated gaming market – alongside Ontario. The company can now effectively build its Canadian strategy around both provinces instead of relying on a single jurisdiction.

Ontario’s Market Makes the Timing Significant

Betsson’s return to the market comes at a time when Ontario’s regulated gambling sector is experiencing strong growth. The latest report from iGaming Ontario shows that June 2026 brought in $9.46 billion in total wagers – up from $7.26 billion in June 2025. Gross gaming revenue increased 30.6% year on year to $400.6 million.

Online casino gaming remained the largest part of the market. Casino games attracted approximately 88% of those who placed wagers in June, while casino revenue accounted for around 79% of total market revenue figures. These figures help to explain why well-established gambling groups continue to see value in maintaining an Ontario presence.

Competition Is Getting Tougher

Betsson’s return also adds another established international company to a market that is already crowded with major gambling brands. iGaming Ontario’s regulated market directory listed 48 operators and 83 gaming websites as of August 6, 2026. The market features online casinos as well as sportsbooks and other forms of regulated gaming.

New entrants – or those preparing to enter Ontario during 2026 – mean that Betsson will be competing for customers against other operators with strong international and Canadian operations. Casino Days gives Betsson an advantage in one respect – it does not need to build an Ontario casino platform from scratch. The company is taking control of a site that already has experience operating under Ontario’s regulatory framework.

What the Return Means for Ontario Players

For Ontario consumers, Betsson’s return means another well-established gambling group is competing in the regulated market. The development does not alter Ontario’s basic gambling rules. All players who place bets on regulated iGaming sites must be 19 or older and physically located in Ontario. The site features a directory element to show which websites belong to the regulated market.

More competition could improve casino products, mobile platforms, and elements like customer support and responsible gambling tools. However, the presence of another operator does not automatically mean every website will feature the same products and services.

What Comes Next for Betsson?

Betsson’s return through Casino Days provides the company with a stronger starting position in the Canadian regulated iGaming industry. The company is placing itself in both Ontario and Alberta at a time when competition between operators is increasing.

The €64.5 million acquisition demonstrates that Betsson sees significant value in the Canadian market – an indicator of a substantial investment. For Ontario, this move is another sign that the province remains an important market for international gambling companies.

With billions of dollars wagered each month and dozens of regulated operators competing for customers, the return of Betsson adds yet another layer to the province’s increasingly competitive iGaming landscape.