The province of Ontario officially introduced its regulated and legal online gambling marketplace on April 4th.
Following almost three years of dedicated effort, the province finally unveiled the market. The provincial government initially declared plans in April 2019 to terminate the lottery’s exclusive online gambling rights. In 2020, the Ontario government enacted regulations authorizing the issuance of licenses.
Last September, the province unveiled its final standards for online gambling and gaming. Online gambling rules encompass a prohibition on automatic play and a minimum spin duration of 2.5 seconds for slot machines.
iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), will oversee the regulation of the new market. They will also be responsible for granting licenses to operators and suppliers.
Before the market launch, iGaming Ontario issued a number of licenses, with numerous well-known brands receiving authorization to operate within the province.
PointsBet, theScore, Rivalry, Rush Street Interactive, Bet365, FanDuel, and 888 have all been granted licenses to provide online gambling services in Ontario. Suppliers such as Inspired Entertainment, Play’n Go, and High 5 Games have also been licensed to collaborate with licensed operators.
The Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) cautioned operators seeking licenses to halt operations prior to the launch of the Ontario market, or their applications would be denied.
In a guide intended to “aid internet gaming operators with their registration applications,” the AGCO detailed plans to collaborate with law enforcement to “take a firm stance on addressing any remaining unregulated activity within the Ontario market.”
All businesses that submitted registration applications before the April 4th launch were mandated to cease operations in Ontario from the moment the AGCO approved their registration.
PointsBet was among the first operators to go live on the day the Ontario market opened, with its subsidiary PointsBet Canada initiating online casino and online sports betting operations.
“Shortly after midnight today, PointsBet Canada became one of the first private sports betting companies to accept legal wagers,” stated Scott Vanderwel, CEO of PointsBet Canada.
“On behalf of the entire PointsBet Canada team, we are incredibly enthusiastic about the official opening of the Ontario sports betting market.”
Prior to the launch, FanDuel Group, a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, announced they would also be accepting wagers starting today, having been granted a license to provide sports betting and online casino in Ontario.
“We are delighted to establish an office in Canada and bring FanDuel’s top-tier sports betting and casino to passionate Canadian sports enthusiasts,” said Amy Howe, CEO of FanDuel.
This is a significant juncture for the sector, and we are thrilled to introduce amusement and secure sports wagering to Canadians.
In the meantime, High 5 Games, a game developer, affirmed that their titles were accessible on numerous gaming platforms on the inaugural day of legalized online gambling in Ontario.
“Our games have been featured in numerous casinos across Canada for an extended period, and now Ontarians can engage in them online through secure sites they recognize and trust,” remarked Tony Singer, the chief executive of High 5 Games.
“The Canadian market holds substantial potential, and we are enthusiastic about expanding our operations in Ontario and beyond.”
Gambling.com Group, a firm that assists gambling websites, also declared their intention to support licensed online sports betting and gambling platforms in Ontario commencing today.
They launched a website named OntarioBets.com in November 2021 to facilitate Ontarians in comparing legal online sports betting platforms and casinos.
“The commencement of regulated online sports betting and gambling represents a substantial stride for the Ontario gaming industry,” stated Charles Gillespie, the head of Gambling.com Group.
“Ontario is pursuing the appropriate course by simplifying the entry of new enterprises into the market. This will foster competition and benefit consumers, as the most exceptional companies will ascend to prominence. Gambling.
The Com Group is ideally positioned to assist operators and customers in flourishing within this exciting new market.
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Ava "Aurora" Walker