The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has released its Internet Gaming Go-Live Compliance Guide ahead of the market launch on April 4th 2022.
The guide lays out the minimum requirements for iGaming operators in Ontario and their gaming-related suppliers (GRSs). The latest iteration of the guide is an update on the compliance guidelines first released in June of 2021 and include amendments based on feedback received by the AGCO since then.
Three of the key takeaways from the updated guide are as follows:
- Public advertising of promotions and bonuses forbidden.
- The AGCO will exclude companies with any links to the unregulated Ontario market after the launch date.
- Companies are not permitted to use kiosks or supply other hardware allowing gamblers to access their online products.
No promotions in ads
The guidelines make it absolutely clear that any advertising that includes promotions or bonuses are expressly prohibited. However, once a player is on the iGaming website, the company may then promote its bonuses and offers to them. The company is also allowed to send direct messages to players who have opted in to receive marketing emails. Promotions within these messages are allowed.
No backdoor to the market
Within the guide, the AGCO states:
“…will be monitoring registrant compliance with the requirement that a) they cease unregulated market operations in Ontario and b) terminate any association they may have with any other company that operates an unregulated scheme in Ontario.”
While this isn’t a surprise, it is telling that the AGCO saw fit to specifically mention that any company operating under multiple brands that has ANY links to unregulated activity within the province will be effectively blacklisted from Ontario.
This requirement could see the need for gambling companies to sever any ties with suppliers who are linked to unregulated gambling websites.
No iGaming hardware at casinos
According to the guide, online operators will not be allowed to install kiosks or any form of hardware at land-based casinos or anywhere else in Ontario for that matter. All iGaming products and services must be accessed by the player using their own device and once this is the case, they can access these products from any location in Ontario.
Any kiosks that are placed in land-based casinos in the future would be under the control of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). However, there is no indication that the OLG intends to allow this at any point in the near future.
Aside from some standard guidelines on the technical and regulatory responsibilities of each iGaming operator and supplier, the guide also reminds them that they must be in compliance with the Gaming Control Act of 1992 before launching.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.