Unibet Receives Ontario Sportsbook License

The number of licensed gaming operators for Ontario’s new online gaming market grows by the day. Most recently, Kindred Group announced that its online betting platform Unibet has received regulatory approval to join the province’s market as a regulate gaming-related supplier. Now, the company joins other approved entities such as Bet365, 888, Rush Street Interactive, and many more.

Ontario’s open market is the one that many companies in the gambling industry have been keeping a close eye on. The province is set to license operators at a relatively low tax rate, and allow them to operate within its jurisdictions. Its population and the recent legalization of single-event betting have made the jurisdiction a hotspot for many gambling brands.

Operator Count Grows

On Monday, Kindred Group announced that it has been licensed to operate in Canada’s most populous province through its gaming brand Unibet. Amanda Brewer, Country Manager Canada for the gaming leader shared that this was an exciting day for the company and Unibet. In her words, the firm is proud to receive Ontario permission and is looking forward to building its brand there.

According to her, Ontario’s iGaming regime is on course to be one of the largest ones in North America. The Unibet Sportsbook and iGaming products will be accessible to Ontario bettors at on.unibet.ca, and the mobile will be available to download in the Apple Store and Google Play Store, once the iGaming and sports wagering markets commence on April 4, 2022.

Ms. Brewer has also added that the province is packed with sports teams and even more fans, due to the province’s rich history and popularity of the NHL, NBA, and MLB leagues. She further commented that the market is a unique one, thanks to its multicultural population, which is passionate about soccer, rugby, tennis, curling, and cricket, and there will not be a shortage of fans.

More Licensees

In addition to Kindred Group, this week, Light and Wonder has also revealed that it has made its way into Ontario’s regulated market for private gaming operators. The New York-listed company which was previously known as Scientific Games will be able to launch its broad gaming portfolio of more than 2,500 titles to the Ontarian gambling enthusiasts, through other licensed operators in the jurisdiction.

Previously, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has also licensed independent sportsbook and sports betting technology provider Kambi Group. Now, when the market opens up next week, the company will be able to offer its gaming services to other licensed entities in the province. This way its partner will be able to use it as a platform for their sports betting products.

However, the list of AGCO-approved brands does not end here, as Inspired Entertainment has also been given green light to join. Through its gaming-related supplier license, the firm will offer its vast collection of igaming titles to other operators. And for the launch, the provider has prepared a total of 25 certified and exciting games for fans to enjoy.

Source: Derouin, Bryce “Unibet Gets Licence for Sportsbook and iGaming in Canada ahead of Ontario Launch”, Gambling.com, March 28, 2022