Ontario to launch online gambling from April 4

Ontario will finally begin regulated igaming operations with effect from April 4, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has confirmed.

Under the terms of the launch, operators will be required to sign agreements with iGaming Ontario (iGO), an entity set up by AGCO to “conduct and manage” igaming within the province.

Companies will operate gaming sites in the market on behalf of the province in accordance with these agreements.

The launch announcement represents a near two-month delay on the proposed launch date, with Ontarian bettors now prevented from betting on the upcoming NFL Superbowl on February 13.

In December, representatives from AGCO suggested the launch could be pushed back due to delays in drafting policy conditions, as well as ensuring security and compliance with the Canadian Criminal Code.

It has also been claimed that legislation governing the conduct of igaming in the province could be subject to legal challenges over the coming years.

Despite the delay, iGO executive director Martha Otton lauded the potential of the new regulated market in combatting offshore unregulated gambling sites targeting Ontaran players.

“Today, most internet gaming by Ontarians takes place on websites not conducted and managed by the province,” Otton said.

“Our new internet gaming market will give consumers enhanced entertainment choice, support the growth of a new, legal market and generate revenue that can help fund programs and services that benefit all of us.”

Otton continued: “Consumers can be assured that companies who successfully enter the new Ontario market will have met rigorous standards of game and operator integrity, fairness, player protections and social responsibility, allowing all players to play with confidence.

“Prevention of underage access, ensuring compliance with applicable laws including anti-money laundering rules and regulations, and measures to enable more responsible gambling, are just a few of the assurances consumers can expect in the new market as of April 4,” she added.

Ontario-headquartered operator and Penn National Gaming subsidiary, theScore has made no secret of its ambitions to launch in its native province, with CEO Jay Snowden highlighting the benefits of being local as a “significant business opportunity”.

“As Canada’s preeminent digital sports media brand, theScore is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the introduction of the open and regulated internet gaming market in Ontario, its home territory,” Snowden said.

“Launching theScore Bet in Ontario will mark an exciting expansion of our online gaming business into a major new market where we already have an established mobile sports media product in theScore app and a wide base of loyal users,” he added.

Positive sentiments were echoed by Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) president Paul Burns, who labelled the announcement another “major milestone” for the sector following the legalisation of single-event sports betting in August 2021.

“The move to establish a regulated igaming market in this province will ensure that the people of Ontario have access to safe and legal gambling options online while encouraging investment and job creation in Ontario,” Burns said.

“We finally have the opportunity to safeguard the economic benefits that will start to flow to licensed gaming operators and the provincial government,” he added.

However, not everyone was full of praise for the new market, with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) slamming the launch and promising legal action against the Ford government.

“Today’s announcement by the Ford government is a slap in the face of First Nations, and reduces their promises of reconciliation to a joke,” MSIFN chief Kelly LaRocca said.

“The government completely and utterly failed to consult our First Nation – leaving their igaming launch open to constitutional challenge.  We intend to challenge the province’s igaming scheme in court.”

“The Ford government has recklessly ignored our concerns and has not offered any strategies to address the impact that their inadequate plan will have on our First Nation, our culture and our ability to provide services to our community,” said LaRocca, who is also a lawyer.

“It is a real and significant threat. It will not stand. If the Ford government is not willing to address the harms caused by its decision, we will have to make them accountable, in an election year,” she added.

A recent report carried out on behalf of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation suggested Canadian land-based operators could be severely impacted by the igaming launch as players transition online.