By Mark Wadie

When Will The Ontario iGaming Market Launch?

The list of operators licensed to take bets in Ontario’s newly regulated gambling market continues to grow as in the last week, PokerStars, BetVictor and Casumo all received their licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

BetVictor’s license runs from 3rd June 2022 to 2nd June 2023. PokerStars license, granted to parent company, TSG Interactive Canada, runs from 8th June 2022 to 7th June 2024. And Casumo’s license, granted to parent company, Pret Play, runs from 8th June 2022 to 7th June 2023.

The three big names join a host of other operators already up and running in the province, including 888, PointsBet, LeoVegas, Bet365, Fan Duel and BetMGM.

The Ontario market went live on 4th April 2022 with a regulatory framework that has been several years in planning and is overseen by the AGCO and it’s subsidiary, iGaming Ontario.

Casino players in Ontario will already be familiar with these names. BetVictor is a UK sportsbook with a strong casino offering which is also licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Gibraltar Gambling Commission.

Casumo, based in Malta, is also a big European gaming site. Their immersive brand first launched in 2012, and has since garnered many awards for its sophisticated loyalty program and features like Slots Races and Level-Ups.

Casumo has been operational in Canada’s grey market for many years and won’t have any trouble attracting customers under its new Ontario license.

Unlike the rest of Canada, Ontario imposes strict rules on marketing for its licensees, including a ban on advertising free bets before a user arrives on the operators’ website. Both PointsBet and BetMGM received fines for breaches of the code in the first few days of business.

A list of regulated Ontario casinos can be found on the iGaming website here.

Author