Requirements for licensing

In Canada, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has released a new guide providing online gaming operators with licensing advice.

The gaming regulator unveiled the Internet Gaming Operator Application Guide on its official website last week. In its own words, the AGCO said it released the advice “to help prospective iGaming operators understand the application requirements and begin preparing for their registration.” The body will accept applications through its web-based portal, iAGCO.

willing to work with companies that have offered unregulated iGaming in Ontario

Within its guide, the AGCO has confirmed that it is willing to work with companies that have offered unregulated iGaming in Ontario. However, they must meet certain requirements before they can acquire a license, such as ending associations with any company operating in the grey market.

What does the guide say?

According to the AGCO’s application guide, the awarding of licenses will fall to iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the commission created in July. The regulatory division will begin handing out licenses later in 2021. It has made clear that all applicants must meet “rigorous standards” in regards to integrity, fairness, player protections, and social responsibility.

The AGCO took to Twitter on Wednesday last week to publicize the release of the application information:

The guide also establishes other requirements in regards to grey market operators. In addition to cutting all ties with unregulated companies, unlicensed firms must stop all grey market activity as soon as they submit their application. Any unregulated operator that continues to operate in such a manner but then applies for a license at a later date runs the risk of rejection, according to the AGCO.

Successful applicants must pay an annual license fee of CA$100,000 (US$79,043). However, the AGCO has also made clear that there may be additional operator payments to offset the cost for regulating iGaming in the province. Once a company has acquired a license, it can decide whether it wants a term of one or two years.

Single-event betting on the way

Earlier this month, the Canadian government announced that single-event sports betting will finally launch across the country starting August 27. This puts into motion Bill C-218, which Canada’s Senate and Governor General approved in June.

In anticipation of this launch, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has announced it will go live with a new digital sports betting platform named PROLINE+. The operator posted a video to Twitter on August 13 with some information on the new betting service:

Like the OLG in Ontario, provincial operators in British Columbia and Alberta are also busy preparing for the launch of single-event betting in their respective regions. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation has partnered with Genius Sports for official data and pricing, while Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis has announced it will soon go live with a new betting website, Play Alberta.