Ontario Licenses More Internet Gaming Operators

Ontario’s private online market for gambling and sports betting continues to add more and more operators to the mix. Most recently, the province’s regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, has issued several more licenses to third-party brands. Ligtip Limited, Ellipse Entertainment Limited, and Delta iGaming Inc. were the last three the receive the go-ahead.

The province kicked off its private online market on April 4, 2022, and its aim was to end the unregulated grey market. Previously, the regulator set the end of October, as the end of the transitional period for unlicensed operators, which led to many operators exiting the grey sector and making the transition to the legal one.

Three New Brands Arrive

With the issuance of the latest licenses, Ligtip Limited, Ellipse Entertainment Limited, and Delta iGaming Inc. are now eligible to join the market and offer iCasino games and online sports betting. Ligtip will debut in the market via its TonyBet platform, while Ellipse will go online via its High Flyer Casino brand, and lastly, Delta will join by launching its Delta Bingo and Gaming offerings.

Early in October, the AGCO issued an announcement which aimed to make sure that operators understand, and comply with all applicable regulatory conditions, including the new standards for the transitional period which will go into effect from October 31. Registered operators which have not yet debuted in the sector, will be required to cease unregulated activities after the deadline.

Back then the regulator commented that applicants that fail to comply with the new standard when it comes into effect, risk having their application for a license rejected. That is why the commission gave a reasonable notice period to support further transitioning to the legal sector, including making their customers aware of potential offline periods as the effect of the pending registration.

These three licenses by the AGCO at the start of this December, come on the back of the three other issuances in November 2022. The three brands were VideoSlots, NetBet, and Coolbear or also known as Coolbet. As the transitional period came to a close on Halloween, more and more grey market operators are expected to join the market in the coming months.

UFC Bets Banned in Ontario

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued a statement in which it mandated all registered casino, lottery and gaming operators to stop offering and accepting wagers on UFC events. The decision came after the regulator heard of recent incidents involving potential betting from UFC insiders as well as some reports about suspicious betting patterns.

The regulator assured its fans of the sport that it will keep on working with gaming operators, the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, iGaming Ontario, and UFC to ensure that betting on UFC events corresponds to AGCO Standards. The commission says that once necessary remedial steps have been taken, operators in the province will renew UFC betting.

Source: Porter, Conor “AGCO awards igaming licenses to three new operators in Ontario” SBC Americas, December 8, 2022