iGaming Ontario as a Gambling Regulator in Canada
iGaming Ontario is a state gambling commission managed by AGCO. It is responsible for regulating the online gambling market in the province. Following its launch, the activities of online casinos have been made legal in Ontario. In addition, new entrants were attracted to the iGaming sphere and the interests of players were protected at the government level.
Our platform team has prepared a detailed review of iGaming Ontario, in which we discuss the specifics of licences in the province and uncover which casinos operate with permission from the regulator.
Quick Facts: Online Casinos in Ontario
| Full Name | iGaming Ontario |
|---|---|
| Date of Foundation | 2019 |
| Official Website | www.igamingontario.ca |
| Staff | 30+ |
| Legal Address | 90 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 200–300 Toronto, Ontario M2N 0A4 |
| igaming@igamingontario.ca | |
| Telephone |
General telephone: 416–326–8700 Toll free in Ontario: 1–800–522–2876 |
History of iGaming Ontario’s Foundation
In December 2021, it was reported that the Government of Ontario had begun the process of preparing all the necessary bodies for licensing offshore online casinos in Ontario. This was the first step towards legalizing the iGaming market and creating competitive conditions for all its participants.
Up to this point, online gambling in Ontario had a narrow focus. It was made up of just a few official sites and many illegal ones whose activities were not controlled by the state in any way.
As a result of the steps taken by the government, iGaming Ontario was launched in 2022. It is a separate organization from the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It was specifically established to legalize online casino operators. Its activities are controlled by the AGCO Board of Directors, which is managed by the Attorney General of Ontario.
List of Online Casinos in Canada with an Ontario Licence
After the launch of this initiative, operators of online casinos gradually began to move out of the gray zone and obtain licences. Based on this, more than 50 gambling sites operate legally today. This number is constantly growing; between five and ten new sites are launched every month.
The table below lists casinos licensed by iGaming Ontario:
The Main Responsibilities of the Commission at Casinos in Canada
The functions of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission are not limited to issuing licences to online casinos. Its field of activity covers many important tasks, including:
- Full legalization of online casinos in the Ontario market.
- Resolution of disputes between players and gambling site operators.
- Verification of gambling entertainment providers.
- Control over the activities of the online casinos.
- Imposing fines on representatives of the iGaming sphere for systematic violations and non-compliance with established standards.
- Improving conditions for working in the online gambling market in Ontario.
The Cost of the iGaming Ontario Licence
To obtain a permit, you need not only to pass multi-stage checks but also to deposit a certain amount of funds upon completion. The Ontario gambling licence is an official document that is expensive to gain. The cost depends on the applicant’s activity in the gambling market:
- the owner of a gambling site – 100,000 CAD per year;
- game producers – 15,000 CAD per year;
- suppliers of games and gambling services – 3,000 CAD per year.
iGaming Ontario’s Principles of Responsible Gaming
The regulator is trying to create favourable conditions for players. Therefore, it imposes high requirements on operators. Casinos licensed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation are required to comply with the prescribed regulations for creating and providing a safe environment for players. You need to:
- Get accredited and adhere to it in the field of responsible gambling within the framework of the RG Check programme.
- Provide clients with a self-exclusion service that allows them to block access to all regulated casinos with an Ontario licence in a couple of clicks.
- Participate in campaigns aimed at preventing problems connected with gambling due to the use of aggressive advertising marketing.
- Share with iGO the data of “problem” clients in order to increase the effectiveness of the Responsible Gaming policy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Casinos Licensed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
The requirements of regulatory authorities entail the specifics of playing at a gambling club. In order to make a decision about registration at one of Ontario’s online casinos, you should weigh up the existing advantages and disadvantages.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Sites licensed by the OLGC regulator are honest and reliable casinos where deposits and client data are always protected | You cannot play for money without a passport and verification. All clients are required to confirm their personal data |
| All gambling entertainment is represented by original software via reputable providers. This is a guarantee of honest results | There is not as much choice of gambling entertainment as there is in illegal casinos |
| Convenient and secure payment methods include bank cards, Skrill, PayPal, Neteller, PaySafeCard, iDebit, ISTADebit, and others | When you have registered, you need to specify some personal data and your residential address |
| Profitable promotions and bonuses. Regular clients are connected to a multi-level loyalty programme | |
| Access to all options and tools for responsible gaming | |
| Guaranteed withdrawal of funds without delays or hidden fees | |
| Round-the-clock client support via convenient communication channels: email, chat, and phone | |
| Low minimum limits on deposits and withdrawal of winnings |
Despite the disadvantages, casinos licensed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation are very popular among players. They know that these are legal and certified sites whose operations are controlled by the state. As a result, players are sure of their honesty and reliability. In addition to this, clients are offered a good selection of gambling games, profitable promos, tournaments in cooperation with providers, and other interesting activities.