Is Ontario the epicentre for gaming law?

Balancing innovation and regulation, Ontario has built a gaming market that’s thriving, trusted and respected across the world

IF THERE’S ONE place that’s completely changed the game for online gambling, it’s Ontario. Just a few years ago, most people were betting on offshore sites, and regulation was under a pretty big question mark. Fast-forward to now, and Ontario has become the leader in regulated gaming. Whether you’re a bettor, a developer, or any top online casino entering the Canadian market, all eyes are on Ontario.

A Bold Step Toward Regulation

Back in 2021, online gambling in Ontario was kind of a grey area. People were spending nearly a billion dollars a year on unregulated offshore sites. Not exactly the safest option. No rules, no oversight, and no guarantee that the games were fair. Players had fun, sure, but they were also taking big risks.

The Ontario government decided that had to change. So in 2022, they launched a fully regulated online gaming market through iGaming Ontario (iGO), managed under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It was a bold move and the first of its kind in North America. Finally, casinos and sportsbooks could operate legally, with proper safety rules in place.

Rules That Make Sense

The rules actually feel fair. Operators are held to clear, strict standards, and must use random number generators (RNGs), verify player identities (KYC policies), and offer responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and session timers.

And if players run into trouble? They can go straight to iGO with a complaint. There’s no shady customer support that’s going to disappear on you.

That kind of transparency has made a massive difference. Players now actually trust the system, because they know it’s built to protect them, not just take their money.

An Economic Powerhouse

In its first year, more than 45 companies joined the market with over 70 active gambling sites. By 2024, people had wagered around $72 billion. The industry brought in over $1.4 billion in revenue and created more than 12,000 full-time jobs.

The best part? The money flowing into Ontario doesn’t just go into corporate pockets. A big chunk goes into provincial projects, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure. A win-win for everyone.

Why Players and Casinos Love It

For players, Ontario’s model brings both safety and plenty of options. There are almost 50 licensed casinos and thousands of games to choose from. Offshore sites used to dominate, but not anymore. Now, about 86% of Ontarians gamble through regulated platforms.

For casinos, it’s just good business. Ontario has a huge audience with over 14 million residents, and a government that actually understands the industry. It’s no wonder that global operators were eager to enter the market.

And it’s not just casinos that are thriving. Sports betting took off the moment single-event betting became legal. Before that, people could only bet on combos of games, which wasn’t nearly as exciting. Now they can bet on a single match like the NHL playoffs, and that’s drawing in a bigger crowd than ever.

A Model for the Rest of the World

Ontario has shown that gambling doesn’t need to be messy to be exciting. With proper regulation and smart management, it can be fun, safe, and profitable at the same time. Other provinces are already taking notes.

Sure, there have been some hiccups along the way, like too many ads when the market first launched. But Ontario listened to the feedback and tightened things up quickly. That’s what a real leader does. It learns and adapts.

Final Thoughts

So, is Ontario the epicentre for gaming law? Without a doubt. It’s the first to truly figure out how to balance innovation and regulation. It’s built a market that’s thriving, trusted, and respected across the world.