Regulations on the iGaming Industry in Ontario

Canada's history with gambling is rich and complex, spanning land-based and online platforms. The legalization of online casinos and bookmakers in Ontario was an unexpected development. Soon after, numerous operators sought Ontario licenses, creating a vibrant, competitive market. Now, Ontario's gamblers have access to a diverse array of reputable sports betting and casino platforms. To make the search easier, players can use detailed overviews of the best online casinos in Canada, featuring insights and recommendations from gambling experts.

As regulations govern the online gambling in Ontario, it's important to be informed. Our guide below not only covers these regulations but also offers insights into obtaining a gambling license in the province.

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Legal Online Gambling in Ontario: Key Takeaways

iGaming market launch took place on April 4, 2022.

Online casinos, like other forms of gambling in the province, are regulated by AGCO and iGO.

Ontario is the first province to launch a private market for internet gambling.

Players must be 19+ years old to participate in any legit gambling activities in Ontario.

Player must be physically located within Ontario’s borders to participate.

Online casino and sportsbook operators are required to implement specific rules and responsible gambling measures to operate legally.

Online gambling Ontario

Understanding Regulated iGaming Market

A regulated iGaming market means that the government has established laws to control which businesses can operate legally, similar to alcohol and cannabis regulations. To become a fully registered and approved operator in Ontario’s iGaming market, a company must obtain registration from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and sign an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO).

These companies must also meet strict criteria for game honesty, fairness, player protection, and social responsibility. Their websites feature measures to prevent underage access and promote responsible gaming. Furthermore, they have signed formal agreements to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, including anti-money laundering laws.

iGO Approved: List of Licensed Gambling Sites

Gaming Site URL Offerings Legal Entity Name
888 Casino 888casino.ca Casino VHL Ontario Limited
888 Poker 888poker.ca Poker VHL Ontario Limited
888 Sport 888sport.ca Sports Betting VHL Ontario Limited
Amazon Slots www.amazonslots.ca/ Casino The Six Gaming Limited
Bally Bet on.ballybet.ca/ Casino, Sports Betting Bally’s Canada Inc.
Bet365 on.Bet365.ca Casino, Sports Betting Hillside (International Sports) ENC
Bet99 Bet99.ca Casino, Sports Betting 1000007698 Ontario Ltd (Bet 99)
Betano www.betano.ca Casino, Sports Betting Kaizen Gaming Canada Inc.
BetMGM Casino Casino.on.BetMGM.ca Casino BetMGM Canada Inc.
BetMGM Poker Poker.on.BetMGM.ca Poker BetMGM Canada Inc.
BetMGM Sportsbook Sports.on.BetMGM.ca Sports Betting BetMGM Canada Inc.
BetRivers BetRivers.ca Casino, Sports Betting Rush Street Interactive Canada, ULC
Betsafe ot.betsafe.com Casino, Sports Betting GWN Limited
Betty Betty.ca Casino Betty Gaming CA, Ltd
BetVictor www.betvictor.com/en-ca Casino, Sports Betting BV Gaming Limited
Betway www.betway.ca Casino, Sports Betting Cadway Limited
Bwin on.bwin.ca Casino, Sports Betting ElectraWorks Maple Limited
Caesars Sportsbook Sportsbook.Caesars.com Sports Betting American Wagering Inc
Captain Cooks Casino captaincooks.casino/en/ Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd
Casino Classic casinoclassic.casino/en/ Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd
Casino Days www.casinodays.com/on Casino Well Played Media, Unipessoal LDA
Casumo www.casumo.com Casino Pret Play Limited
Caxino www.caxino.com/en-on/ Casino Rootz Ltd
Comeon! www.comeon.com/on Casino Bunchberry Limited
Conquestador www.conquestador.com Casino Mobile Incorporated Limited
Coolbet Coolbet.ca Casino, Sports Betting Coolbear Ontario Limited
Deal or No Deal Casino www.casinodond.com Casino iPro Gaming Canada, Inc.
Delta iGaming online.deltabingo.com Casino, Bingo Delta iGaming Inc.
DraftKings Casino casino.DraftKings.com Casino Crown DK CAN Ltd.
DraftKings Sportsbook sportsbook.DraftKings.com Sports Betting Crown DK CAN Ltd.
DreamVegas www.dreamvegas.com Casino, Poker TWHG Inc.
FanDuel FanDuel.com/Canada Casino, Sports Betting FanDuel Canada ULC
FireVegas www.firevegas.com Casino, Poker TWHG Inc.
Fitzdares www.fitzdares.ca Casino, Sports Betting Fitzdares Canada Limited
GGPoker ggpoker.ca Poker NSUS Limited
Golden Tiger goldentiger.casino Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd
Grand Mondial grandmondial.casino/en/ Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd
High Flyer Casino www.highflyercasino.com Casino Ellipse Entertainment Limited
Jackpot City Jackpotcity.ca Casino Cadtree Limited
Knightslots knightslots.ca Casino Skill On Net Ltd.
LeoVegas LeoVegas.com Casino, Sports Betting LeoVegas Gaming PLC
Lucky Days luckydays.ca Casino L7 Entertainment Limited
Luxury Casino luxury.casino/en Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd
Mr.Vegas www.mrvegas.ca Casino Videoslots Ltd.
Neo.bet on.neobet.ca/en/Sportbets Casino, Sports Betting Reactive Betting Ltd.
NorthStar Bets northstarbets.ca Casino, Sports Betting NorthStar Gaming (Ontario) Inc.
PartyCasino on.partycasino.ca Casino ElectraWorks Maple Limited
PartyPoker on.partypoker.ca Poker ElectraWorks Maple Limited
Partysports on.partysports.ca Sports Betting ElectraWorks Maple Limited
Pinnacle www.pinnacle.ca/en/ Sports Betting Pinny (Ontario) Limited
Play Fallsview www.PlayFallsview.com Casino, Sports Betting MGE Digital Canada Inc.
PlayOJO playojo.ca Casino Skill On Net Ltd.
PointsBet PointsBet.ca Casino, Sports Betting Pointsbet Canada Operations 1 Inc.
PokerStars Casino www.on.pokerstarscasino.ca Casino TSG Interactive Canada Inc.
PokerStars Poker www.on.pokerstars.ca Poker TSG Interactive Canada Inc.
PokerStars Sports www.on.pokerstarssports.ca Sports Betting TSG Interactive Canada Inc.
Power Play powerplay.com/ontario/sportsbook/ Sports Betting Limited (dba) PowerPlay
Rivalry Rivalry.com Sports Betting Rivalry Ontario Corp.
Royal Panda RoyalPanda.com Casino, Sports Betting LeoVegas Gaming PLC
Royal Vegas Royalvegas.ca Casino Cadtree Limited
Ruby Fortune Rubyfortune.ca Casino Cadtree Limited
SlotsMagic slotsmagic.ca Casino Skill On Net Ltd.
Spin Away spinaway.ca/ Casino Ngame N.V.
Spin Casino Spincasino.ca Casino Cadtree Limited
SpinGenie spingenie.ca Casino Skill On Net Ltd.
Spinz spinz.com/en-on/ Casino Rootz Ltd
Sports Interaction on.Sportsinteraction.com Casino, Sports Betting ElectraWorks Maple Limited
STX stxapp.io Betting Exchange SportsX, LLC
Stardust Casino on.stardustcasino.com/casino Casino Pala Interactive Canada, Inc.
TheScore Bet theScore.bet Casino, Sports Betting Score Media and Gaming Inc.
TonyBet tonybet.ca Casino, Sports Betting Ligtip Limited
Unibet on.Unibet.ca Casino, Sports Betting Unibet ON Inc.
Videoslots videoslots.ca Casino Videoslots Ltd.
Wheelz wheelz.com/en-on/ Casino Rootz Ltd
Wildz www.wildz.com Casino Rootz Ltd
Yukon Gold Casino yukongold.casino Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd
Zodiac Casino zodiac.casino/en/ Casino Apollo Entertainment Ltd

Benefits of Playing at Regulated Websites

Players’ funds are safe

You can be sure to get your winnings

Players’ personal data and financial details are protected

Operators offer reasonable competitive odds

Every participant has access to responsible gambling materials and tools to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience

You can be confident that the website is run by a licensed company

Risks of Gambling at Unregulated Websites

There is no guarantee that funds are kept securely

Payments may be delayed or not made at all

Personal information may be disclosed to third parties or the general public without your agreement

Inadequate responsible gaming resources foster dangerous gambling habits

Sites may be run by unlawful entities

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iGO and AGCO’s Roles in Ontario’s Market

AGCO is a provincial regulatory organization that was founded in February 1998. It regulates online gambling operations, creates guidelines to safeguard players, and works to assure game integrity for consumers throughout the province. The AGCO’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming are intended to verify the presence of all security measures, game integrity, responsible gambling safeguards, and anti-money laundering measures.

iGaming Ontario is an AGCO subsidiary that operates and manages the internet gambling services offered by private gaming firms (operators). Established in July 2021, iGO works closely with the AGCO and the Government of Ontario to deliver the world’s greatest gaming experiences to the province in a more secure environment, therefore protecting players and providing them with more choices.

Requirements for Operating in Ontario’s iGaming Market

Many operators may find it difficult to become compliant in Ontario’s iGaming sector. The province has some stringent laws and regulations, many of which go above and beyond what is expected in other markets.

Internet casino and sports betting operators wishing to enter the regulated market must first register with both iGO and AGCO before providing their products and services to local players.

Operators must be aware of the PCMLTFA and FINTRAC demands, which apply throughout Canada. Then there are Ontario-specific requirements, such as the ACGO and iGO recommendations, some of which go beyond FINTRAC standards. These rules and regulations cover a wide range of subjects, including money laundering prevention as well as information storage, the need for KYC, and proposals to avoid underage gambling.

Documents Needed

All gambling operators must submit the following documents to become compliant:

Operator Application

Personal Disclosure for employees (company needs to provide personal information of each worker)

Registrar’s Standards Gap Analysis

Company Disclosure

Regulator’s fee

Any required investigation fee

Supporting documents (if necessary)

The Internet Gaming Operator Application Guide provides the complete list of necessary documents required for an operator application, as well as the individuals who are subject to personal disclosure.

Entering the Ontario Market: Step-by-Step Guide for Operators

Before gambling operators can take a chance on Ontario’s online gaming market, they need to get in with the cool kids at iGaming Ontario and AGCO by registering with both.

Note: Operators can complete multiple steps simultaneously. The order of completion may differ based on individual circumstances and preparedness.

iGO Application Process

Step Description Before Starting Timing Support
#1 Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with iGO >Obtain Non-Disclosure Agreement page to get a copy of the NDA Approximately 2 business days E-mail [email protected] for support
#2 Execute a Letter of Agreement with iGO Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with iGO About 2 business days to complete Work with the legal department of iGO
#3 Arrange and Configure Access to iGO's Safe Information and Data Communication Channels Submit a Letter of Agreement with iGO Approximately 2 business days Cooperate with iGO Systems and Data Team
#4 Submit iGO’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Information Forms Receive access to iGO’s protected data exchange tools and sign a Letter of Agreement with iGO Approximately 2 weeks Work with iGO Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Team
#5 Complete iGO's Financial Information Forms Get access to iGO’s safe data exchange tools and sign a Letter of Agreement Around 1-2 weeks Work with iGO Finance Team
#6 Take part in Operator Systems & Data Readiness Cycle with iGO Set up the FINTRAC (F2R) Reporting System, finish the iGO Financial Information Pack and get an invitation from iGO Approximately 1 week Cooperate with iGO Systems and Data Team and iGO Account Management
#7 Sign the Operating Agreement with iGO Receive a Certificate of Registration as an Online Gambling Operator from the AGCO, fulfill all further AGCO and iGO market entry steps Variable based on the conditions of each operator Consult with iGO’s legal department, and check out iGO Connect for the most up-to-date information

AGCO Application Process

Step Description Before Starting Timing Support
#1 Ensure all games and main gaming systems are Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) certified Confirm that your games and supporting important gaming systems have been certified by a qualified ITL, and that your software providers have done the same Varies depending on ITL capacity and certification depth/scope level needed Partner with developers and AGCO-registered ITLs. Contact AGCO’s Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch at [email protected] for help
#2 Register with the AGCO Read the Internet Gaming Operator Application Guide and open an account on the AGCO online recourse 2+ months from the moment the operator submits a full application in AGCO and pays the related fees Your application will be allocated to an Eligibility Officer from AGCO’s Licensing and Registration Branch, who will contact you personally during the registration procedure
#3 Establish Control Activities to Comply with AGCO Registrar's Norms for Online Gaming Read the Registrar's Standards for Online Gaming and the iGaming Standards’ common questions Varies depending on the conditions of each operator Cooperate with the AGCO Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Department. Contact [email protected] for advice
#4 Attend Internet Gaming Notification Matrix Training Apply for AGCO registration and study the Internet Gaming Notification Matrix About 90 minutes to finish Work with the AGCO Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch. Contact [email protected] for support
#5 Configure Regulatory Reporting in iAGCO Complete Regulatory Notification Matrix Training and get a Certificate of Registration from the iAGCO Approximately two business days to complete Work with the AGCO Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Team. For assistance, contact [email protected]
#6 Arrange Access to AGCO’s Secure Data & Information Communication Channels Receive a Certificate of Registration from AGCO About two business days to finish Work with the AGCO Information and Information Technology Branch. Contact [email protected] for support
#7 Give Technology Compliance Confirmation to AGCO Complete integration and setting of all your gaming site’s technical components Varies depending on each operator’s exceptional circumstances Work with AGCO Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Department. Contact [email protected] for support

Ontario’s Gambling Industry Landscape: Brief History

In 1985, the Canadian government allowed provinces to license and regulate gambling-related activities. This had a significant impact on the emergence of casinos in the country, with Winnipeg becoming the first Canadian city to open a gambling establishment in 1989. Already in 1994, Ontario launched its first casino in Windsor.

On June 22, 2021, the Canadian Senate adopted Bill C-218 and the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, setting the stage for single-event sports betting options to be delivered in every province. While certain types of sports betting, such as parlay betting, have been permitted in Canada for a long time, betting on the result of a single sports event has remained illegal.

The Ontario government revealed its proposal to develop the iGaming market, a gaming sector regulated by the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO), in November 2020. iGaming Ontario (iGO) became a watchdog and began accepting applications in the fall of 2021, with the market officially opening in April 2022. As the iGaming market grew and developed more throughout 2022 and into 2023, it became clear that there was a need for better rules. This led the AGCO to take more steps.

In 2023, AGCO introduced significant amendments to its standards on advertising, marketing materials, and communications for the gambling industry, effective from February 8, 2024. The changes focus on enhancing responsible gambling and protecting vulnerable groups, including minors and high-risk individuals. These updated guidelines aim to foster a safer and more responsible gambling environment in Ontario by setting stringent standards for advertising and marketing practices within the industry.

New iGaming Market

Ontario has established a new online gaming market through iGaming Ontario in collaboration with AGCO. This initiative promises safer and more organized online gaming options for local players. The iGaming framework provides players with a wider range of gaming options than the previous Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) offerings. Additionally, the new framework includes sophisticated rules to prevent fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing activities. Operators must verify players’ identities and comply with iGO Policies and federal regulations. As a result, the province benefits from more gamblers choosing to play locally due to the strict measures in place to protect their finances and personal information.

What Is Behind the Rise of Ontario’s iGaming Market

Before the government legalized single-game betting, it was estimated that Ontarians spent close to $1 billion per year on internet gambling, and with more possibilities than ever before provided by legislative changes, that figure is expected to rise.

Players and operators alike are eager to fully access the market, which is currently allowing single-event sports betting, playing poker, and other casino games, offered by licensed gaming operators.

Overall, Ontario’s iGaming industry is expected to produce $1.5 billion in revenue by 2026, making it one of the biggest internet-based gaming markets in North America. As well, new rules have made the sector incredibly competitive, with an annual tax rate of 20%, one of the lowest in the world, making Ontario a tempting destination for online casino businesses.

To gain deeper insights into the size of Ontario’s iGaming market, refer to the Quarterly Market Performance Reports released by iGaming Ontario.

Importance of Responsible Gambling in Ontario

Responsible gambling involves engaging in gaming activities while minimizing the risk of harm to oneself or others. It is a top priority for AGCO and a critical issue of public concern. iGaming Ontario as well is dedicated to encouraging cautious gambling and operators to offer a safe and healthy gaming environment for local players. Online operators can help individuals make educated decisions regarding their gambling habits by providing them with guidance and tools, thereby improving their entire playing experience. The goal is to reduce the possible risks and negative effects while also promoting a responsible gaming culture. Informed decision-making is essential for responsible gambling to succeed.

When obtaining a license to legally provide gambling services in Ontario, companies undertake to:

  1. Make sure that responsible gambling is done properly and get accreditation from the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check program.
  2. Create initiatives that prevent problem gambling and promote responsible gambling in advertising and marketing.
  3. Join a self-exclusion program that lets players opt out of all online gaming sites in Ontario.
  4. Share player data for research on responsible and problem gambling while keeping it anonymous.

Where to Get Help

Gambling is intended to be enjoyable. If it no longer brings fun, there are services where you can seek support and advice.

ConnexOntario. It is a provincial agency that provides information and referral services concentrating on mental health, addiction, and gambling-related problems. Call 1-866-531-2600, send an email, or chat online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit connexontario.ca for further details.

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). CAMH is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centers in its field. It offers a wide range of services and support for individuals dealing with addiction and mental health issues, including problems related to gambling, gaming, and excessive use of technology. Toll-free: 1 800 463-2338.

Are you concerned about your gambling habits? Complete the Gambling Self-Assessment Quiz to help you measure the problem.