Fireworks

Ontario’s digital ecosystem will “grow and thrive” in the coming weeks and months after going live today (Monday 4 April), states iGaming Ontario.

The subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which introduced the legal igaming market in partnership with the Ontario government, has lauded the launch following “years of anticipation”.

As a result, players across the region can now play internet casino games and place sports bets on sites offered by operators that are fully registered and approved.

The group adds that operators who have successfully been registered by the AGCO and have executed an operating agreement with iGO have met rigorous standards of game integrity, fairness, player protections, and social responsibility, enabling players to play with confidence.

Furthermore, last month saw the Responsible Gambling Council disclose that its RG Check accreditation program had been “embedded into the requirements for all online gaming operators entering the Ontario marketplace” by the iGC.

This program, which is already utilised by land-based casinos in the region, aims to ensure the highest standards of responsible gambling are maintained when operators enter the market.

“This is a monumental day that establishes Ontario as an international leader in online gaming” said Martha Otton, iGaming Ontario’s Executive Director. 

“After years of anticipation culminating in historic legislation followed by months of hard work by all stakeholders, we have reached today’s launch of a legal internet gaming market out from under its previous grey market standing.”

The internet gaming sites going live in the legal market as of today are 888, bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, Coolbet, FanDuel, LeoVegas, PointsBet, Rivalry, RoyalPanda, theScore, and Unibet

“We support the government’s objectives for Ontario’s iGaming model: to establish a competitive igaming market that fosters an exciting gaming experience while protecting consumers and keeping Ontarians safe,” stated Paul Burns, President and CEO of Canadian Gaming Association. 

“As of today, there is no more grey market in Ontario, only black. With the regulations in place, the province finally has the tools to deal with unlicensed operators.”