Canada: Ontario Jurisdiction profile

Ontario is one of thirteen provinces of Canada located in the country's central region. It has the largest population and is home to many options for gambling. The province has offered gambling services for quite some time, but April 2022 was a significant period for the region. At that time, the market officially began offering online casino gaming from licensed operators such as LeoVegas and 888Casino.

Casinos and racetracks in the province offer commercial services plus sports betting, with single-event wagers now in the mix. Charitable gaming is also an option, allowing Ontario to offer a well-rounded gambling market.

The industry is heavily regulated, with several groups in charge of overseeing the industry. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, iGaming Ontario, Ontario Charitable Gaming Association, Ontario Racing Commission, and Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency each have their role to play.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the regulatory agency that ensures operators provide services in line with provincial rules and regulations. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation oversees lottery product licensing and tribal gaming.

Created in mid-July, iGaming Ontario works with other government bodies to ensure online gaming providers are registered and offering quality gaming. Services can only be provided to players from the province.

Any operator that wishes to offer services in Ontario must be approved for licensing. Steps must be taken to gain approval from iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

The operator needs to have games and systems certified by an Independent Testing Laboratory. The company must also register with AGCO. Controls must also be in place to comply with Registrar Standards for iGaming.

Regulatory reporting needs to be set up so the regulator can continue monitoring the provider's services. Technology compliance confirmation must also be in place. Agreements must be signed with iGaming Ontario including non-disclosure agreements and a letter of agreement. Secure Data and Information Communication Channels must be configured with Anti-Money Laundering Information Submissions in place.

Additional steps must be taken, including completing Financial Information Submissions and participating in the Operator Systems & Data Readiness Cycle. These steps can be completed simultaneously to help companies launch quickly.

The goal is to ensure that each operator can offer players a high level of protection. The province includes several rules that operators must follow, including a ban on auto-play for slot games. The minimum spin speed per game should also be set at 2.5 seconds.

Regulations and advertising restrictions are in place to safeguard those at risk, including the vulnerable. Bonus offers are banned from advertising except within an operator's website, and sites must offer voluntary deposit limits.

Education options must also be listed within online casino sites so players can receive help as needed. iGaming Ontario requests that operators share anonymous player data so any problematic patterns in behavior can be identified and action is taken to help those affected.