- Regulators in Ontario said more than three-quarters of the iGaming operators currently active in the province’s regulated market were previously active in the unregulated space.
- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) told Poker Industry PRO that another 18 operators exited the gray market before an October 31 deadline to do so.
- The AGCO added it was working with the 18 former gray market operators and another provincial regulator, iGaming Ontario (iGO), on assisting the operators through the licensure process.
“A key objective of the AGCO has been to move igaming operators and suppliers into Ontario’s regulated market as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.”
Regulators in Ontario said over three-quarters of the igaming operators currently active in the province’s regulated market were previously active in the unregulated space.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) told Poker Industry PRO that another 18 operators — including major online poker providers GGPoker and PokerStars — exited the gray market before an October 31 deadline to do so.
The AGCO added it was working with the 18 former gray market operators and another provincial regulator, iGaming Ontario (iGO), to assist the operators through the licensure process.
New Standard That Prompted Exodus Took Effect on October 31
Last month, the AGCO added a new standard to its registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, which spell out the rules for igaming in Ontario.
Specifically, Standard 1.22 requires operators and third-party suppliers to “cease all unregulated activities,” meaning any activity that would have required registration under the province’s Gaming Control Act if it was performed in the regulated space that launched on April 4. The AGCO set the standard to take effect on October 31.
