On April 4, the gambling industry in Ontario significantly changed for the better. For now, casino games, sporting events, and a bunch of other iGaming activities are available on websites and at land-based casinos, and this entertainment is entirely legal.
This industry has been legalized in accordance with the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario), and the operators are now in revenue-sharing agreements with the province.
These changes definitely improve the industry thanks to a lot of new operators entering the market and the presence of more regulation tools to protect players. You can access the best Ontario online casinos on the Casinority Ontario to make sure that the market is so rich. These casinos are picked by Casinority, a project designed to deliver relevant casino reviews, overviews of slots, and information about the best bonuses players can activate.
For now, let’s find out how the gambling market changed in Ontario and what other changes are coming!
Problems Before the Legalization
Though the market was launched recently, some gambling activities have been present here for years. And it will be dishonest to say that it was good for the market.
Sports betting was limited to parlays, while the other betting types were absent. Most of the gambling activities here were illegal, so the government didn’t have enough facilities to regulate the market. This provided for a lot of shady platforms, which weren’t all honest. So the presence of the commission, which determines fair organizations, significantly changes things.
Advantages of the Regulated Market in Ontario
In July 2021, the government tried to make the first attempt to enter the legal market. Shortly after the passing of C-218, iGaming Ontario (iGO) was launched in Ontario. This regulator had to conduct iGaming in Ontario, and it served as a subsidiary of the pre-existing AGCO, the regulator which controls the market today.
This means that all operators working in the area now, whether online or land-based, can enter the market only after receiving the document from AGCO and proving that all the options of the site or casino are working legally and in accordance with the industry standards.
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When the new law was signed, this provided for a group of advantages:
- More incomes for the government
The first way for the government to receive funds is by offering a license for money. This doesn’t mean that dishonest operators can launch it. However, it’s necessary to pay to obtain the AGCO license, and the regular incomes of these operators are also taxable. - Thorough control of the market
The government can now totally control the operators dealing in the industry, so sites with no licenses or with weak conditions won’t enter the market. And this control guarantees that you won’t face a scammer or have problems with the operator. - A larger group of working operators
As the market is new and very promising, a lot of operators want to join it. And it’s a good opportunity for players in Ontario to access more casinos, bigger bonuses, and better games. - Stronger responsible gaming rules
When the market wasn’t regulated, no one stood for the conditions for responsible gaming. However, now the government makes sure that the operators have these tools and players can count on professional help if necessary. Operators must display ‘responsible gambling messages’, access to 24-hour help resources, and self-exclusion options. - More accessible online games
As the new law allows dozens of online operators to enter the area, this means that online games will be accessible on mobiles as well. Operators will provide apps or mobile versions to let iOS or Android gamblers easily play slots and other casino games in Ontario.
The only problem, which takes place now, is the risk of land-based operators being entirely replaced by online gaming. That’s why HLT Advisory for Great Canadian Gaming provided a report, which states that thousands of lost jobs will be the result of the land-based market closing.
How the Industry Is Evolving for Now
For sure, the industry is going to change now and in the future, thanks to market regulation. One thing is for sure; the market will be rapidly developing.
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers, states that 50 people in Toronto were hired to increase the Ontario industry.
‘I think it put us on the map in Ontario, which was important for us, because … we started without having any awareness’, says Schwartz.
And that’s not the only company to enter and increase the market. Live studios and sports betting establishments will also enter the Ontario scene.
People involved in the online advertisements to promote the gambling market in Ontario are famous actors. The government is supposed to earn as high as $800 million in the first year. And as the market will be evolving, this means that new operators will be entering the industry one by one, adding more options for gamblers here.
The AGCO regulator will remove all shady projects, so the market will become more transparent and accessible. No problems with payments, withdrawals, and regular support. Underage gambling is going to be entirely closed, and more responsible gaming facilities will allow regular gamblers to access more games, while compulsive gamblers will have an opportunity to fight the problem and ask for professional help.
