Key Moments:
- Bodog has rebranded as Ozoon and exited Manitoba’s grey market
- User accounts and balances are migrating to Ozoon.eu, licensed by the Tobique Gaming Commission
- Quebec reported CAD1.97 billion in illegal market losses, the highest among Canadian provinces
Grey Market Realignment and Brand Evolution
The long-disputed grey market operator Bodog has reintroduced itself as Ozoon, ending its presence in Manitoba. Player accounts and funds are now being shifted to Ozoon.eu, which operates under Rocketship Ventures with licensing from the Tobique Gaming Commission, a regulatory body linked to the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick.
According to details on its website, the Tobique Gaming Commission is open to issuing licenses to foreign online gaming companies, supervised by the Differentia Licencing Advisory Group. The commission has a stated commitment to responsible gaming, transparency, and supporting the economic and governmental independence of the Tobique First Nation.
Shifting Regulatory Climate in Canada
Bodog first gained popularity in the early 2000s during the surge of online poker, ultimately evolving beyond poker to feature sports betting and digital casino content, maintaining customer loyalty for nearly three decades.
Throughout this period, Bodog encountered criticism for its lack of provincial licensing and ongoing tensions with Canadian regulatory authorities, which continued asserting their legal framework. This rebrand and departure illustrate the ongoing challenge of unregulated markets in Canada, and regulators’ persistent efforts to secure compliance across the sector.
Many view Bodog’s exit as a significant milestone for Canada’s regulated gambling landscape, symbolizing the close of the “poker-boom era” and shifting focus to licensed online activities.
Provincial Regulatory Approaches and Legal Actions
Ontario’s model allows private online gaming firms to participate alongside the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, while Alberta is developing a comparable system to rival PlayAlberta, the province’s official service.
In the previous summer, a judicial order in Manitoba permanently barred Bodog’s operations for lacking proper authorization. This decision obligated Bodog to cease all advertising, disable bodog.eu, and implement geo-restrictions for Manitoba-based users.
National Efforts to Counter Offshore Gambling
The Canadian Lottery Coalition was launched in August 2022 as a partnership between various provincial gambling entities such as BCLC, AGLC, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, Loto-Québec, and Atlantic Lottery. The coalition’s objective is to combat offshore operators and false advertising, citing the loss of millions in funding meant for essential services like healthcare, social programs, and infrastructure.
Despite these concerted efforts, Canadian players continue engaging with grey market platforms. An April 2025 study showed that 16 percent of Ontario gamblers used unregulated websites, with many sites licensed overseas in jurisdictions like Curaçao.
Still, 83 percent of Canadian users now favor regulated providers across 48 licensed markets nationwide, which together generate billions in revenue. Enforcement challenges persist, as international sites attract consumers through appealing bonuses and ease of access.
Provincial Financial Impact from Unregulated Gambling
Insights shared at the Canadian Gaming Summit 2025, particularly by Troy Ross, President of TRM Public Affairs, demonstrated that Quebec endured the largest illegal gaming losses with a gross gaming revenue setback of CAD1.97 billion ($1.44 billion). Alberta and British Columbia reported CAD1.3 billion ($952 million), Ontario experienced CAD757 million ($554.45 million), and Atlantic Canada faced CAD600 million ($438.2 million) in comparable losses.
| Province | Illegal Market Losses (CAD) | Losses (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 1,970,000,000 | 1,440,000,000 |
| Alberta & British Columbia | 1,300,000,000 | 952,000,000 |
| Ontario | 757,000,000 | 554,450,000 |
| Atlantic Canada | 600,000,000 | 438,200,000 |
- Author
Daniel Williams
