The date for launch of Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is just weeks away and we have news today that two more big operators are registered and making the final preparations for launch on 4th April.
Leo Vegas and its sister brand, Royal Panda, and BetRivers, operating under the license of Rush Street Interactive (RSI), have both registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and now wait to sign operating agreements with iGaming Ontario, the subsidiary of AGCO, the final stage in the process.
Both Leo Vegas and BetRivers will offer the full online casino and sportsbook experience as permitted under iGaming Ontario licensing.
CEO of RSI said: “The receipt of our registration in Ontario is an important milestone that demonstrates our commitment to operating only in legalized markets where we pay local taxes, and we are grateful for the trust of the AGCO.
“We are now one step closer to launching the BetRivers real-money online casino and sportsbook in Ontario and bringing our unique betting options, such as our innovative peer-to-peer slot tournaments or same game parlays, fast payouts, and award-winning customer service to the province’s millions of residents.”
BetRivers sportsbook is currently available in ten different states in the US, including New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinios. They currently run a free to play casino site in Canada on the BetRivers.net domain.
Leo Vegas and Royal Panda are part of the Leo Vegas group of sites that includes Pink Casino, Slot Boss, and 21.co.uk in the UK and Europe as well. They have not yet entered the US market though they have announced plans to do so in the second half of 2022.
Gustaf Hagman, CEO of the Leo Vegas Group welcomes the opportunity to enter the Ontairo market. He said: “Over recent years, the LeoVegas brand has become the third most well-known casino brand in the Canadian market and Royal Panda has shown strong growth – a clear sign that the mobile gaming experience we offer is appreciated by North American customers.
“Our full focus now is to complete the process and we look forward to launch in a regulated environment. Given our track record and knowledge to operate in regulated markets we continue to have high expectations and ambitions for continued growth in the Ontario market.”
Leo Vegas and BetRivers join other operators including 888 casino and sportsbook as the first private betting firms to take legal bets in Ontario in April.
PLAY N GO TAKES SUPPLIER LICENSE
It’s not just operators who will need a license to take bets in Canada. Game suppliers will need one too.
Step up … Play n Go!
The Swedish slots specialist responsible for classic titles like Book of Dead, Reactoonz 1 and 2, House of Doom and Raging Rex has now been granted a supplier license to make these games and hundreds more available through licensed casino operators in the province.
This move is the latest part of Play n Go’s strategic plan to increase its reach across all regulated markets globally, with a focus on the US in the next few years.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer for Play n Go said: “Ontario is an important province representing some 40 per cent of the population of Canada, and we look forward to players there enjoying our games.
“However, Ontario represents just the first stage in Play’n GO’s North American entry strategy that will see our titles shortly be made available in selected regulated US state level igaming jurisdictions for the very first time. With Ontario’s regulated market opening, followed by our entry into the USA, it’s set to be an exciting year for Play’n GO.”
Keep following The Casino Heat news pages for the latest regulatory updates and licensee announcements.
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