The Top 5 Key Highlights from a Historic Year in Ontario's Gaming Scene

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When reflecting on the year 2022, there’s little to dispute regarding the gaming experience here, whether discussing online casinos, poker, or sports betting in Canada’s most populated province.Ontario betting sites As 2022 draws to a close, it’s a perfect moment to unwind with a quality glass of whiskey, perhaps a cigar, while reminiscing about the year gone by.

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In October, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario received the International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR) Regulatory Excellence Award in recognition of its commendable work in creating and enforcing the regulatory structure for

The Good: The April 4 Launch

This accolade is a strong testament to the effectiveness of the implementation process.Ontario online casinos .

Currently, Ontario boasts 36 legal entities within the casino, poker, and sports betting sectors, alongside 68 active gaming locations, with even more on the horizon. In November, the AGCO announced that 46 online sportsbook and casino operators had transitioned from the grey market to the regulated infrastructure.

“Prior to the launch of the competitive iGaming market last April, Ontario residents were placing substantial bets on iGaming sites that often lacked consumer protection and responsible gambling frameworks,” stated Tom Mungham, CEO of the AGCO. “A significant number of players engaging with these platforms didn’t realize they were dealing with unregulated entities. It’s an honor to receive international recognition for our commitment to serve the citizens of Ontario.”

The established framework and its execution is garnering attention from other Canadian provinces and globally, according to Paul Burns, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association.

“There’s a clear acknowledgment of our success; I frequently hear positive remarks about the Ontario model during my travels to various conferences,” Burns shared. “It’s evident that other jurisdictions in Canada are keen on curbing grey markets.”

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The Negatives: Excessive Promotion of Grey Markets

Some stakeholders took issue with the AGCO’s decision to allow operators without formal agreements with iGaming Ontario, and who hadn't launched in the regulated scene, to continue their operations within the grey market after the regulation took effect.

Operator applications had been accepted as early as September 2021.Ontario betting apps Many licensed operators entered the market legally on April 4, so it raises the question: why were they still competing against unlicensed operators who were still profiting? The AGCO only enforced a halt on grey market operators taking bets after October 31.

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As Burns has repeatedly advised, it’s premature to evaluate market performance, especially when comparing it to states like Pennsylvania or New Jersey, until Ontario has seen two to three quarters of data.

The Good: Those Q2 Numbers

The Q2 statistics for iGaming in Ontario, released at the end of September, revealed a significant increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). The figures indicated total wagers amounted to $6.04 billion, generating gaming revenue of $267 million, marking increases of 48% and 65% respectively from Q1 figures. Attention now turns to the Q3 report, which will cover data through December 31.

“I believe it will take an additional couple of quarters to truly gauge the market's state,” Burns explained in a September interaction with Ontario Bets. “Let’s wait to see the full impact once everyone is engaged.”

It’s worth noting that these numbers encompass all segments, including sports and casino but exclude the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) results, which are reported separately.

According to OLG's annual budget for 2021-22, which runs through March 31, digital gaming revenue reached $511 million (net to the province: $223 million), representing a 44% rise from the previous fiscal year.Ontario online slots However, once the open market launched on April 4, those figures began to decline. The OLG's online gaming revenue, aside from its internet lottery, saw a mere 7% increase, from $101 million across April to June to $108 million from July to September.

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Mark Keast serves as the iGaming Reporter for deereplanet.com and has recently covered the Canadian iGaming sector for The Parleh. He has extensive experience as a sportswriter and editor, particularly with the Toronto Sun.

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In October, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario received the International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR) Regulatory Excellence Award in recognition of its commendable work in creating and enforcing the regulatory structure for

The Bad Turned Good: What Took So Long?

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The Top 5 Key Highlights from a Significant Year in Ontario's Gaming Scene

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There’s really not much to debate when reflecting on the gaming landscape in Ontario throughout 2022, which encompasses everything from online casinos to poker and sports wagering in Canada’s largest province.
Now that 2022 has wrapped up, it’s a perfect moment to unwind with a fine glass of scotch, perhaps enjoy a cigar, and reminisce about the events of the past year.
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Mark Keast
Mark Keast
iGaming Reporter

This award is a strong testament to the success of the implementation process.

As of this week, Ontario is home to 36 legally recognized operators in the domains of casino, poker, and sports betting, along with 68 operational gaming venues, with even more on the horizon. Notably, November saw reports from AGCO indicating that 46 sportsbook and online casino businesses transitioned from the grey market to the regulated sector.