Canadians out of luck thanks to online casino ban

It hasn't been a lucky time for Canadian fans of online casinos, as customers at sites including Paddy Power, Casino Club and bwin have been sent emails advising them that their wagers will no longer be accepted.
In a shock email, bwin account holders were advised: "We regret to inform you that, due to the introduction of new regulations, operations of the download casino will cease as of May 23, 2025."

The email went on to advise that access to the download casino games would be blocked, although customers can still get their fix from playing the instant access games.

In an effort to soften the blow, the email continued by advising customers "There is good news though. You can still enjoy your favourite games as normal in the bwin instant-play casino and to make the transition even sweeter, we'll be offering you a 100% welcome bonus. Get ready to switch now."

Customers have been left shocked by the announcement, especially as there have been no changes to Canadian regulations that would prompt such a move by online casinos.

However, all the casinos that have implemented the ban have their download software provided by software group, Boss Media. It is widely understood that Boss Media hopes to operate under license in Canada in the near future, as various provinces launch their own sites. It is expected that any future licenses will not be issued to those companies that contravened current legislation by providing software to Canadians. By withdrawing from the market now, Boss Media may be hoping to obtain a legitimate license at a future date.