Ontario releases Internet Gaming Operator Application Guide
AGCO’s guide can be accessed here. They expect to start accepting applications in September.
AGCO closed its comment period for input on the proposed sports betting regulations appended to the proposed iGaming regulations on Wednesday August 18th. While iDEA did not comment directly on the sports betting regulations, we did send a letter to the provincial Attorney General, Minister of Finance, CEO of AGCO and Executive Director of iGaming Ontario emphasizing the need to confront the “gray market” in Ontario once the regulated market is launched.
Not unexpectedly, a late-breaking debate has arisen over whether Ontario’s proposed licensing regime complies with Canadian national law, which requires that provincial lotteries “conduct and manage” all gaming. Likely driven by the Ontario Lottery, this line of argument asserts that, while commercial operators would have to partner with iGaming Ontario (a subsidiary of AGCO) the commercial operators would control and manage their operations, and not the province. An opinion piece to that effect can be found here.