Ontario Lottery Corporation Mandates Deposit Limits for Online Players Under 25

Ontario’s lottery regulator, OLG, has announced new player protection measures requiring under-25-year-olds to limit deposits based on engagement activity.

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: June 4, 2026 10:03 AM EDT • 2 minute read

Pictured: Toronto Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela hits a home run as we look at the OLG new player protection rules. Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has rolled out a new player protection measure requiring online users under 25 to set deposit limits on their accounts once their activity reaches certain engagement thresholds.

Under the new system, affected user in the Ontario sports betting and Ontario online casinos markets must establish a cap on how much money they load into their accounts, with the option to structure that limit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The measure is framed as a pre-commitment tool, meaning players agree to spending boundaries before they start rather than reacting after the fact.

The initiative fits within OLG's broader PlaySmart responsible gambling program, which already offers voluntary tools like spending reminders and time-outs to all players across the platform. Making deposit limits a condition of continued engagement for under-25 users marks a more directive step than the purely optional approach that existed before.

“Requiring a deposit limit is not about removing choice, it’s about strengthening that choice by helping players to pause and consider what they are comfortable spending,” said Duncan Hannay, OLG’s President and CEO. “OLG relies on research and best practices to guide how we engage with players and respond to emerging trends. This new measure is a practical, data-driven step to help players under 25 build safer play habits early.”

Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming acknowledged the policy as part of a wider effort to balance personal freedom with protection for those considered most at risk.

Alberta draws dozens of applicants ahead of launch

Ontario's approach to regulated online gambling has become a working blueprint for provinces still building out their own frameworks, and Alberta is now following that path closely.

Alberta's online gaming market is scheduled to open on July 13, making it the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to allow multiple private operators to compete for players legally. As of late May, 35 companies had submitted applications to operate in the province. Well-known names such as BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, PointsBet, and theScore Bet are among those pursuing licensing to join the ranks of new legal Alberta sports betting apps.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission and the newly created Alberta iGaming Corporation are jointly overseeing the launch of Alberta sports betting and Alberta online casinos. Operators face a $50,000 application fee alongside $150,000 in annual registration costs.

Under the revenue-sharing structure, operators will retain 80% of gambling revenue, with 20% flowing back to the province; First Nations will receive 2%, and 1% will be earmarked for social responsibility initiatives.

Alberta officials have also used Ontario as a benchmark for potential revenue generated for the market’s opening. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Ontario generated $2.9 billion from its regulated gaming market. The estimated tax revenue from Alberta's market is approximately $100 million per year.

Written by:
Ziv Chen

Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.