At the start of October 2023, SBC Media released a documentary on Ontario’s highly discussed and competitive market for online private gambling operators. Branded ‘The Ontario Frontier: Exploring the iGaming Landscape,’ the short feature film recapped the first year since the privatization of the local internet gaming market through the point of view of industry leaders.
SBC’s documentary featured Martha Otton, who is the Executive Director for iGaming Ontario, which is a state-run agency overseeing the sector. It also included Shelley White who is the CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council and Scott Vanderwel who is the CEO of PointsBet Canada. The latter is one of the licensed operators in the local market.
Highlights from the Short Film
In the documentary, the three leaders spoke about what it took to make iGaming in Ontario one of the most competitive sectors around the globe. All three of them agreed that by design or chance, it had to be done to explore the untapped potential of the sector prior to April 4, 2022. But to ensure post-launch results, they said parties needed to be proactive, thoughtful and deliberate.
Ms. White from RGC explained the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGO took their time in monitoring how other jurisdictions implemented regulated iGaming frameworks. In her words, by doing so they made it possible to take what was learned and apply some aspects of it to the internet gaming model in the Heartland Province.
Prior to the new market, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation offered the only lawful iGaming in the province. Mr. Vanderwel believes that the time period between the OLG’s debut of internet betting and the launch of the provincial sector was a time of learning for the local gambling watchdogs allowing it to set up the current competitive setup today.
It should be noted that Ontario is the most populous province in Canada, as well as the fact that operators are not required to physically base their operations in the province. But Executive Director Ms. Otton cited another reason, as the jurisdiction due to its support systems in place and the education of talent and its skilled software programmers.
Back in June, iGO released a report on the first 12 months of the new sector has delivered just over CA$1.48 billion to the province’s gross domestic product with CA$906 million going into labour income. It also revealed that it provided more than 1,800 direct jobs with an average annual compensation of CA$103,000 and over 7,900 indirect jobs from operators.
The Downside to iGaming
But the success of the iGaming sector in Ontario led to an influx of betting ads, which upset many parents in the province, due to their potential harm to youth. In relation to that AGCO proposed banning athletes and celebrities from commercials, as they appeal to the younger ones. However, the new rules will go into effect on February 28, 2024.
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