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Ontario set to launch regulated iGaming Market in April 2022

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The Canadian province of Ontario is getting ready to launch its legal iGaming market in April 2022.


The online casino industry is growing stronger and better by the day as it expands across the globe.

The Canadian province of Ontario is one of many that welcomes the change and a regulated iGaming market. The new legal iGaming market will open on the 4th of March bringing the industry monopoly to an end.

No more iGaming Monopoly

With the launch of the legal iGaming market, a process dating back to April 2019 finally comes to an end. It also brings an end to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s monopoly of iGaming in the province.

The newly regulated market will be overseen by iGaming Ontario (iGO) which is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

The plans have been in motion since April 2019, but postponements were continuously announced until the legislation was finally introduced and passed in 2021. With the new Canadian regulations in place, the monopoly comes to an end and private operators are getting ready to enter the market.

Single-event sports betting is already live since August 2021 but is currently only available with provincial lotteries. Among the new regulations came the release of the final iGaming sports and events betting regulatory standards. Which include both integrity rules and advertising standards.

The new rules were integrated into AGCO’s existing Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. It was published last year in mid-July and is set to come into effect on the 4th of April 2022.

From April all AGCO registered private gaming operators with an iGO operating agreement in place will be able to offer their products to residents of Ontario.

According to the iGO executive director, Martha Otton, customers can access these new sites with peace of mind, knowing that they comply with all necessary requirements. This includes rigorous game standards and operator integrity as well as fairness, player protection, and social responsibility. All to ensure a fun and safe gaming environment.

With care for all players in Canadian online casinos, measures to prevent underage gambling, implementation of responsible gambling safeguards, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws will come into effect on 4 April.

Otton reveals that internet gaming by Ontarians is taking place on unlicensed websites which are not operating legally in the region. The idea with the new iGaming market is to provide more options for gaming entertainment while simultaneously increasing the growth of a new, legal market that generates revenue to assist in funding programs and services beneficial to residents.

New Gaming Options

Jay Snowden, the Penn National Gaming president, and chief executive along with John Levy, chief executive of its subsidiary theScore are delighted by the news.

Earlier this year, they became the first prospective private market operator for Ontario to secure the Responsible Gambling Check iGaming Accreditation from the Responsible Gambling Council.

Snowden reveals that the launch of theScore Bet in Ontario will be an exciting expansion for their online gaming verticals into a big new market where theScore mobile app is already available with a loyal fanbase.

Levy also spoke saying that AGCO and iGO have been incredibly thoughtful and collaborative with the approach to create and manage the new industry. Resulting in a new framework launching soon guaranteeing benefits for Ontarians. It will also make Ontario one of the biggest regulated gaming markets in North America.

According to industry enthusiasts, Ontario has the potential to become the most attractive online gambling market in North America with its launch.

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