Ontario Proactively Adapts Regulation

One of Canada’s key jurisdictions is moving its regulation enforcement into the next stage.

Adapting Regulation

In changes scheduled to take place from 31 October of this year, Ontario regulator to Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming to target unlicensed operators with the requirement to exit the jurisdiction or face “appropriate regulatory action” at the risk of having future applications rejected.

Regulation Goals

AGCO indicated updated standards as part of the greater provincial priority of creating a “safer, competitive, and well-regulated iGaming market for the people of Ontario.”

Seamless Transition

Standard 1.22 is being updated for unregulated iGaming operators and gambling-related suppliers to seamlessly move into the regulated market without disrupting service to their existing Ontario customer base.

Concluding Unregulated Service

The new standard calls for unregulated operators and suppliers to preserve their eligibility with agreements in the unregulated area to end said activities in the Ontario jurisdiction to avoid jeopardising their eligibility for registration.

Regulator Assurances

Of enforcement, the regulator asserted that “as with any instance of non-compliance, the AGCO will take appropriate regulatory action against any registrant that does not meet this standard (once it comes into force)”.

Preparing Operators

The AGCO has established a period of reasonable notice to facilitate the transition to the regulated market, offering customers and players direct advance notice of any potential blackout periods during the upcoming pre-registration and registration periods.

Live Play Amendments

In response to a rise in the popularity of live dealer games in the region, AGCO announced amendments to Ontario’s live dealer game standards. 

Physical Gaming Equipment

The additional amendments address potential risks of the use of physical gaming equipment such as roulette wheels and playing cards, and risks of using live presenters for play.

Managing Gaming Systems

Other key standards that are adapted include 4.09, requiring gaming systems and supplies to be provided, installed, configured, maintained, repaired, stored, and operated to ensure their maximum integrity, safety and security.

Restricting Access

Ontario’s new standard 4.35 will restrict access to live dealer gaming supplies to individuals who demonstrate a business need.

Data-Gathering

More requirements address the data factors considered for granting access privileges, including logging employment status and job requirements and all activities associated with these actions, all to be reviewed and confirmed independently.

Outlook

The comprehensive list of regulations confirms that the massive market of Ontario is preparing a regulation model that will have long-term sustainability for the iGaming era of one of North America’s key regions.