Pulse
SPORTS BETTING CANADA
“In many parts of the country land-based businesses didn't have access to online gaming. Now that private sector operators in Ontario have access, it allows them to enhance their product offering to customers. It's been a long time coming and, combined with the fact operators previously couldn't have a sportsbook until the last twelve months, the two things combined finally offers operators a level playing field.”
operating agreements with AGCO subsidiary, iGaming Ontario. Established in July last year, iGaming Ontario is working with the Government of Ontario and the AGCO to establish a new safer, online gaming market that will help protect consumers and provide more choice while ensuring a level playing field for new businesses.
“Te regulatory framework that has been created is very thorough,” remarks Paul. “It holds operators to a high standard. Te games and gaming equipment will be independently tested before it is permitted in the market. Tere is very thorough regulatory framework for advertising, promotions, and responsible gaming with lots of measures for player protection.
“Tere are integrated sets of regulations for all forms of online gaming - sportsbook and casino games come under the same framework - making it easier for operators. We have created a good market and it will be great to see how it all unfolds. Te proof is in how it operates so that is the next measure, but the high number of operators entering the market is testament to standards that are balanced, fair and thorough.”
Governed by a Board of Directors, iGaming Ontario will enter into operating agreements with operators who meet these rigorous standards of game and operator integrity, fairness, player protections and social responsibility. A share of revenues generated by these relationships will be returned to the Government of Ontario to support provincial priorities.
“Consumers can be assured that companies who successfully enter the new Ontario market will have met rigorous standards of game and operator integrity, fairness, player protections and social responsibility, allowing all players to play with confidence,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.
“Prevention of underage access, ensuring compliance with applicable laws including anti-money laundering rules and regulations, and measures to enable more responsible gambling are just a few of the assurances consumers can expect in the new market as of April 4.
“Today, most internet gaming by Ontarians P106 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
takes place on websites not conducted and managed by the province. Our new internet gaming market will give consumers enhanced entertainment choice, support the growth of a new, legal market and generate revenue that can help fund programmes and services that benefit all of us.”
THE DISCONTENT
Not everyone is happy or onboard with Ontario's pending iGaming launch, however. Te Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation are 'outraged' by what it describes as a 'flawed' online gaming regime.
Te Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation moved into southern Ontario from their former homeland north of Lake Huron around the year 1700. Te Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Ojibwa Nation, are one of the largest native groups in Canada.
In a statement, the tribe said that the government's decision will devastate MSIFN's economy and set back decades of community development efforts. Te Mississaugas maintain that contrary to section 35 of Canada's Constitution, the Ford government failed to hold formal consultations with Indigenous governments amounting to a violation of its duty to consult and accommodate impacted Indigenous groups.
"Today's announcement by the Ford government is a slap in the face of First Nations, and reduces their promises of reconciliation to a joke," stated Kelly LaRocca, Chief of MSIFN. "Te government completely and utterly failed to consult our First Nation – leaving their iGaming launch open to constitutional challenge. We intend to challenge the province's iGaming scheme in court.
"Te Ford government has recklessly ignored our concerns and has not offered any strategies to address the impact that their inadequate plan
will have on our First Nation, our culture and our ability to provide services to our community. It is a real and significant threat. It will not stand. If the Ford government is not willing to address the harms caused by its decision, we will have to make them accountable, in an election year."
What will be the impact of regulation in Ontario on the take-up of legacy online licences? Now there is no longer a grey market, operators will have to make a choice according to Paul.
“It will be black and white so they must make a choice. Te land-based casinos have a different arrangement with the Ontarian government. Tose operators have been very supportive of having access to online gaming and are keenly interested in making sure they have a level playing field from a regulatory perspective and a fair level of taxation.
“Te casino operators will have two parallel regimes to work in, so they will be looking for a single regulatory framework. Streamlining this going forward will be of great benefit to integrate players reward programmes and a single wallet.
“As the market opens, we are encouraged that
“The land-based casinos have a different arrangement with the Ontarian government. Those operators have been very supportive of having access to online gaming and are keenly interested in making sure they have a level playing field from a regulatory perspective and a fair level of taxation.”
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