The government of Ontario, Canada has announced it will create a new agency to manage online gaming, include the recently legalized single-game wagering. It hopes to begin taking wagers by the end of 2021.
The new entity, iGaming Ontario, will be under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO.) This follows rapidly upon the legalization of single-sports betting by the Canadian parliament last month.
Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey said in a statement: “We are determined to work with industry, responsible gaming advocates and regulatory partners to ensure Ontario is a world leader in building a safe online gaming environment that meets consumer expectations.”
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) which offers some online contests, will continue to run those independently of the new regulator.
The goal of legalization is to entice Canadians from playing illegal, offshore and gray market website, protect consumers and reap new tax revenues. Residents of the province spend an estimated $8 billion annually on online gaming, with two thirds of that on gray market sites.
The province issued this statement: “The government, along with Ontario’s iGaming Commercial Project Lead, Birgitte Sand, will continue to meet with the iGaming industry, First Nations communities and organizations and social responsibility groups to finalize the setup and rules for the new marketplace.”
