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The Canadian Gaming Association has praised the Ontario government today. Ontario has announced it will open the first regulated online gambling market in Canada. Additionally, the iGaming market will officially open on April 4, 2022.
Canadian Gaming Association Applauds Ontario Online Gambling Launch
The Canadian Gaming Association has released a statement in praise of the government of Ontario today. The CGA is pleased by Ontario’s recent announcement that it will be launching the first ever regulated online gambling market. Additionally, Ontario has stated that Canada’s first licensed and regulated iGaming market will officially open on April 4, 2022.
The Canadian Gaming Association is heaping praise on the government of Ontario for taking on the mantle of becoming Canada’s first licensed and regulated online gambling market.
This announcement by the Ontario government has come after a considerable amount of dedication and effort. It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work for Ontario’s government to get to the precipice of this exciting new launch.
Paul Burns, who is the president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, issued a lengthy statement on the matter. In it, he and the CGA recognize the efforts of the Ontario government and other related parties who made this possible.
Burns begins by calling this announcement “another major milestone and achievement for Ontario’s gaming industry after sports betting.”
He continues by saying that:
“The move to establish a regulated iGaming market in this province will ensure that the people of Ontario have access to safe and legal gambling options online while encouraging investment and job creation in Ontario. We finally have the opportunity to safeguard the economic benefits that will start to flow to licensed gaming operators and the provincial government.”
Ontario Prepares to Open the Door to Opportunity
Ontario is the first province in Canada to take the plunge into the exciting and competitive waters of the online gambling market. The province has previously allowed sports betting, but this still limited the options of its citizen significantly. Now, the citizens will have much greater access to all forms of online gambling.
This is a smart decision made by the provincial government for a number of reasons. First, as mentioned by Mr. Burns, it creates unique economic opportunities. This has the potential to create many additional jobs throughout the province.
Additionally, it adds new and reliable revenue streams for the province. By providing a way for operators to become legally licensed, they bring more business to Ontario. This takes power back for the province by cutting off the profitability of illegal operators within Ontario’s borders.
The Ontario government has recognized that the best way to curb unsafe and illegal gambling practices is with legislation. They have decided to open their market to regulated play in order to keep local players safe. By introducing regulations and licensing, they control the standards of safety and quality that operators must adhere to.
In addition, the Ontario government can better track red flag behaviors and potential problem gambling behaviors. These are both important parts of keeping the province safe and free from certain types of crime. This includes money laundering and terrorist funding.
More Information About Ontario’s Upcoming iGaming Market Launch
This launch has been eagerly anticipated for many months. The market was initially expected to go live in December 2021. However, the date was pushed back to April 2022. The April 4 launch will see the introduction of a brand new online gaming platform specifically designed for Ontario players.
Following the projected April launch, private gaming operators may register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Any operator licensed through the commission may request an operating agreement with AGCO’s subsidiary, iGO.
Once these criteria have been met, operators may legally offer their games to players within the province.
iGO Executive Director Martha Otton issued a statement regarding this new licensing process:
“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 protection, and social responsibility, allowing all players to play with confidence.
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.”
Prior to this decision to regulate the market, Ontarians only had access to online gambling sites that were not sanctioned. This new licensing process allows the government to exercise greater safety and quality controls.