Canadian Gaming Summit: The Industry Celebrates the Openness of Ontario's Regulatory Agency

Martin Lycka, who serves as the senior VP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gaming at Entain, expressed his admiration for the establishment of a regulated market, noting particularly the effective blend of business prospects and a solid legal framework for the sector.Ontario sports betting During a panel discussion at the Canadian Gaming Summit held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this week, Lycka elaborated on the legal structure supporting sports betting in Ontario and evaluated the current regulatory landscape. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario oversees the regulation of both gambling and sports wagering, while iGaming Ontario is responsible for its management.

As the province prepared for the launch, specifics of the regulatory model were not entirely clear, and they will certainly continue to develop since Ontario is the first province in Canada to permit legal betting on single sporting events.Ontario online casino Entain PLC has successfully launched its bwin and 'party' brands in the Ontario market.

"The AGCO and iGaming Ontario have shown remarkable transparency,\" Lycka stated on Tuesday. \"By making guidance readily available and maintaining an open-door approach, industry participants have greatly valued this. The regulations in Ontario prioritize responsible practices while also being commercially appealing, which is what the industry aspires to achieve.\"April 4 launch Sharing the panel with Lycka were IGO’s general counsel Jesse Todres and the chief operating officer of the AGCO, Dave Philips, to whom Lycka directed his comments. The discussion was moderated by Michael Lipton, a senior partner at Dickinson Wright LLP, and also included insights from public policy expert Chris Winsor and Salim Adatia, vice president at GLI.

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Lipton noted projections estimating the Ontario market's size at $1.6 billion this year, with expectations to rise to $2.36 billion in the coming year. Discussions during the conference have mentioned that the government plans to release revenue figures, illuminating the industry's performance just a couple of months after the launch.

Todres provided some insights into the market's early performance so far.

"Ultimately, we are still awaiting a new government [following the provincial election on June 2]. I can say that iGaming Ontario will be providing actual figures shortly,\" he remarked. \"That said, we are quite content with the current figures. Stay tuned, as we also plan to onboard more operators and anticipate a busy summer ahead in that regard.\"

How Big Will Ontario Market Be?

Philips discussed ongoing concerns regarding operators and marketing practices, emphasizing the need to prioritize compliance by focusing on critical areas rather than taking a drastic approach.

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Advertising and the exit strategies for those in the unregulated sector have become key focus areas for the AGCO, according to Philips. The commission continuously engages with unregulated operators to ensure clarity around expectations.recent AGCO sanctions The AGCO has recently received its first significant batch of compliance data from operators, which officials are currently assessing against the established criteria.

\"From a compliance perspective, we are very encouraged by what we've observed thus far, but the journey has only begun,\" he stated.

Operators registered before April 4 who have not yet received approval can continue to operate within the grey market, but the AGCO is keeping a watchful eye on these entities to facilitate their transition.

Top 2 AGCO Priorities

"We have outlined clear policies regarding exit and transition ambitions... with specific deadlines for requirements like disclosures,\" Philips explained. \"Simultaneously, we've indicated a flexible and pragmatic approach as businesses adapt. We’re currently navigating this process. While we are accommodating, that flexibility certainly has its limits.\"

The regulator’s outreach program is gaining positive responses from unregulated operators interested in compliance, demonstrating the industry's maturity and serious approach to the new regulations. Nonetheless, there are concerns that some may be taking too long to achieve full compliance.

Licensed operators in Ontario are subject to a 20% tax on their gaming revenues.

"Overall, we are encouraged about the current developments,\" Philips added.

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Lycka was queried about the standards for responsible gaming in Ontario.

"The standards for responsible gambling in Ontario far surpass anything available in jurisdictions just south of the border, although they are improving,\" he said. \"This will compel licensed operators not only to advocate for responsible gambling but also to take tangible actions when it comes to fulfilling those obligations.\"

A significant enhancement in Ontario's landscape was the decision to allow grey market operators to move their customers into the newly regulated market.

"Our biggest challenge is the general issue of prioritization that global operators face, as we are placing Ontario at the forefront of our efforts,\" Lycka commented. \"Having entered the market, we need to maintain momentum while also considering other areas like Brazil. It is crucial to stay focused, which poses a unique challenge in a multi-jurisdictional context.\"

Responsible Gaming Addressed

The Canadian Gaming Summit serves as the country's premier conference for gaming professionals and will continue through Thursday.

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Mark Keast serves as an iGaming Reporter for deereplanet.com and has recently covered the Canadian iGaming sector for The Parleh. He has a long-standing background as a sports journalist and editor, notably with the Toronto Sun.