iGaming Ontario Licensing Requirements and Casino Fees
iGaming Ontario has worked alongside the Government of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to set up a new online gaming market in the Canadian province. It aims to protect customers who proceed with gambling through private gaming companies. iGaming Ontario has the vision of leading the world’s best gaming market while offering safe, efficient and legal world-class entertainment.
- Jurisdiction: iGaming Ontario
- Website: https://www.igamingontario.ca/en
- Address: 4711 Yonge Street, Unit 602 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K8
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 416 326-8283
- Founded: 2021
- Register an Online Casino Complaint: https://igamingontario.ca/en/player/player-support
- Rating:
How Does iGaming Ontario Work?
iGaming Ontario (IGO) is the provincial agency established in July of 2021, serving as a lottery subsidiary corporation of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It is responsible for managing the safe conduct of Ontario online casinos. The iGaming Ontario Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing everything, with the aim of regulating the iGaming scene in Ontario.
The organisation’s roles include the development, execution and oversight of Operating Agreements with private iGaming operators. It also looks to enforce the required policies, programs and procedures. These look to protect consumers, generate revenue within the industry and reduce the amount of red tape.
Requirements for Obtaining an iGaming Ontario License
Any online gaming operators seeking to join the regulated market of Ontario are required to take steps with both IGO and the AGCO prior to being able to offer their products to players within the province. It is important to mention that Canadian online casinos are not legal in the whole country, instead Ontario is the first location with fully regulated gambling market, with a handful of other provinces offering gambling as well. Multiple steps can be completed at the same time to proceed with this, though these have been laid out from 1 to 7, to make things simpler.
These are the steps operators need to take to grab an iGaming Ontario license:
- Execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
- Execute a Letter of Agreement.
- Set up and Configure Access to IGO’s Secure Data and Information Communication Channels.
- Complete the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Information Submissions.
- Complete the Financial Information Submissions.
- Participate in Operator Systems & Data Readiness Cycle.
- Execute the Operating Agreement.
There are specific iGaming Ontario licence fees to take note of when applying. Operators must pay $100,000 per site each year. A gaming-related supplier needs to pay $3,000 per year to supply gaming services and equipment, while a manufacturer of such equipment must pay $15,000 per year.
There is a fee of $2,000 per year on non-gaming-related suppliers, $2,000 per year on trade union and charges of $300 per year and $165 per year on Category 1 and 2 Gaming Assistants, respectively.
The Gambling Regulator's Complaints Process
In most cases, disputes or complaints can be addressed by directly contacting the online casinos where you placed your bets or used their services within Ontario. Online gaming operators are required to have a dispute resolution process in place, and many issues can be resolved efficiently through their customer service teams. However, if you feel that your concern has not been handled fairly or satisfactorily, you may need to escalate the matter further.
It is important to note that iGaming Ontario does not intervene in settling bets, issuing compensation, or refunding wagers. Additionally, any disputes involving potential criminal activity will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation.
To assist players in determining the appropriate course of action for their specific situation, the official IGO website provides a helpful tool. This tool guides users through a series of questions to assess their concerns and directs them to the best available resolution path.
Certain issues, such as payout disputes, payment processing concerns, terms and conditions of online casino bonuses, and eligibility for winnings, may be reviewed by IGO. However, many of these matters can still be addressed effectively by the customer support team of the online casino where the issue arose. To access the dispute resolution tool and find the best way to proceed.
iGaming Ontario's Available Licensing Options
To legally operate an internet gaming site in Ontario, you must complete a structured process involving IGO and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). These regulatory bodies oversee online gaming in the province, ensuring operators meet strict compliance standards, uphold responsible gaming practices, and maintain fair play for all participants.
The iGaming Ontario licensing process includes applying for the appropriate license, meeting security and operational requirements, and adhering to ongoing regulatory obligations. Once you have successfully met all conditions and received approval, you can legally operate as an iGaming operator within Ontario’s regulated market.
Beyond an iGaming operator license, Ontario offers several other types of gaming-related licenses for different roles within the industry, including:
- Gaming Assistant – Required for individuals working in gaming establishments.
- Gaming-Related Supplier – For businesses providing gaming-related goods or services, such as software or equipment.
- Non-Gaming-Related Supplier – For vendors supplying non-gaming products or services, such as catering or maintenance.
- OLG Lottery – For those involved in Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation lotteries.
- Casino – For companies operating land based casinos.
- Charitable Gaming – For charitable organizations hosting raffles, bingo, or similar events.
Each of these licenses has its own application process, and requirements vary based on the nature of the gaming-related activity.
How Can You Verify That a Casino Is Regulated by iGaming Ontario?
Determining whether an online casino is regulated by iGaming Ontario is straightforward. The simplest way is to scroll to the bottom of the casino’s homepage and check for the IGO logo. This logo serves as an official mark of regulation, indicating that the operator is legally authorized to offer online gaming in Ontario. In many cases, clicking on the logo will direct you to the IGO website, where you can find additional details about the operator and its licensing status.
If you don’t see the logo or want further confirmation, another option is to visit the official IGO website, where you can find the list of regulated Ontario casinos. Once there, you can use the search tool to look up the casino’s name. If the casino is licensed by iGaming Ontario, it will appear in the database, confirming its legitimacy.
If Antillephone licenses the casino, clicking on the seal should take you to a website with the domain name antillephone.com. If it's Cyberluck Curacao, clicking on the seal should take you to a website with the domain name curacao-egaming.com. If Curacao Gaming licenses the casino, clicking on the seal should take you to a website with the domain name gaming-curacao.com.
Finally, if Curacao Interactive Licensing licenses the casino, there is no guaranteed way of ensuring that the license is valid. The casino should be able to provide you with a signed license agreement on its own domain name, but this can be easily faked. Therefore, it is best to be very careful before playing at one of these casinos.
The good news is that the government of Curacao is in the process of creating a register of all license holders, and this will make the verification procedure far simpler.
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Scroll to the bottom of the casino site to find the iGaming Ontario logo.
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Visit the iGaming Ontario website and search for the casino.
The Advantages of the Canadian Casino Authority
The biggest benefit of obtaining a license from iGaming Ontario is the legitimacy and trust it provides. This certification assures players that your platform meets strict regulatory requirements, upholds fair play, and operates with integrity. A license demonstrates your commitment to responsible gaming, security, and transparency, enhancing your reputation in the industry. Additionally, being licensed allows you to legally access the lucrative Ontario gaming market, benefiting from a well-regulated environment, compliance guidance, and ongoing regulatory support from IGO.
- Consumer protection benefits
- Regulatory support
- Simple application procedure
- High standards of fair play
- Only caters to the Ontario market
Popular Gambling Sites Regulated by iGaming Ontario
Ontario’s online casino scene only began operating in 2022, making it one of the newer jurisdictions for gaming activity. This comes about following three years of work once the government introduced legislation for a licensing regime. Since that time, big name casino operators, such as 888 Casino, bet365, Bally, BetRivers, Spin Casino, and more have acquired licenses. A total of 50 operators provide 84 websites in Ontario for online gaming, adding to the jurisdiction’s credibility.
FAQ
Is iGaming Legal in Ontario?
The Ontario government created iGaming Ontario to grant access to the market for legal online casino operators. Thus, as long as a casino holds a license from the body, it is a legal activity.
When Did iGaming Ontario Start?
On April 4, 2022, IGO began operating an effective, legal online gambling industry in the province. Before this, OLG was the only internet gaming site in Ontario.
How Does iGaming Ontario Regulate Online Casinos?
iGO ensures that operators follow Ontario’s legal framework, including responsible gaming measures, fair play standards, and anti-money laundering laws. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) sets and enforces these rules.
How Can an Operator Obtain an iGaming Ontario License?
To operate legally, an online casino or betting site must register with the AGCO and enter into an Operating Agreement with IGO, ensuring compliance with all provincial gaming regulations.
