DAZN Bet secures Ontario gaming registration

• Sports streaming service DAZN receives iGaming registration from Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
• DAZN Bet operates in five European markets and will bring Ontario’s regulated operator count to 50.
• Company’s direct-to-consumer segment reported approximately $3.1 billion revenue for 2024.

DAZN, the global sports streaming service, has secured approval to launch online sports betting and casino gaming in Ontario following registration by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

The registration, issued on Friday to a DAZN subsidiary, clears one of two regulatory hurdles required for market entry. The company must now finalise an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario before launching its DAZN Bet brand in Canada’s most populous province.

Streaming giant enters regulated betting

The DAZN platform launched in August 2016 and has established itself as a major sports streaming provider. In Canada, the platform holds exclusive rights to NFL content, offering subscribers access to live games, the RedZone channel and NFL Network programming.

The company has recently expanded beyond streaming into online gambling. DAZN Bet currently operates in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. Ontario represents the platform’s first North American market entry.

Industry observers have anticipated the Canadian launch for several months. Daniel Berthold, a DAZN executive, posted on LinkedIn in December 2025 that the company was recruiting a country manager to launch, build and own one of the most exciting new markets.

Market positioning and competitive landscape

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market launched on 4 April 2022 and has attracted notable operator interest. When DAZN Bet goes live, it will become the province’s 50th regulated iGaming operator, including the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s online gambling business.

DAZN’s latest financial filings indicate that growth of DAZN Bet helped drive increased revenue from its direct-to-consumer segment, which reported approximately $3.1 billion in income for 2024.

DAZN’s Canadian expansion strategy leverages its existing subscriber base and brand recognition in the sports streaming sector. The company’s NFL rights provide a foundation for customer acquisition, particularly as the 2026 season approaches.

Regulatory framework and launch timeline

Obtaining an iGaming registration from AGCO represents the first of two mandatory steps for Ontario market entry. The registration confirms that DAZN has met the regulator’s technical, financial and compliance requirements.

The second requirement involves negotiating and executing a contract with iGaming Ontario, the government agency that manages operator relationships and oversees the regulated market. DAZN has not announced a specific launch date for its Ontario operations.

The Ontario market has demonstrated strong growth since liberalisation. The province’s framework includes consumer protection measures, responsible gaming requirements and advertising standards that all licensed operators must follow.

European track record and expansion strategy

DAZN Bet’s European operations have provided the company with experience navigating diverse regulatory environments. Each of the platform’s five current markets operates under distinct licensing regimes and compliance frameworks.

The company’s expansion into regulated markets has coincided with broader industry consolidation and vertical integration. Sports media companies increasingly view betting as complementary to their core streaming and broadcasting businesses.

DAZN’s move into Ontario follows similar expansions by other internationally recognised brands. The market has attracted operators from Europe, Asia and elsewhere in North America, all seeking access to Canada’s regulated gambling sector.

The Ontario registration marks a strategic milestone for DAZN as it pursues growth beyond its traditional streaming business. The company has not disclosed investment figures for its Canadian market entry or projected timelines for expanding to other Canadian provinces.