The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated its Internet Gaming Go-Live Compliance Guide with important changes for registered and prospective internet gaming (igaming) operators and gaming-related suppliers. These changes reinforce Ontario’s robust regulatory framework for igaming, allowing for increased operational flexibility while also ensuring that strong controls are in place to help protect game integrity, consumers, and the Ontario public.
The AGCO continues to work with and help prepare operators and gaming-related suppliers for the launch of Ontario’s new igaming market on April 4th, 2022. Not every operator will be ready to launch their services on day one. Some are more ready than others. This means Ontario’s new igaming market will steadily expand in the weeks and months following the market’s launch. Regardless of exact timing, all operators and suppliers working toward entering Ontario’s market are strongly encouraged to review the updated Guide to help ensure readiness for go-live.
Important changes incorporated in the Guide:
- New guidance on advertising at physical premises.
The parameters for advertising through promotional partnerships at a physical premises have been outlined and added to Section 1: AGCO Compliance Approach. This guidance allows many options for responsible promotional partnerships; however, neither igaming operators nor other businesses may provide gaming devices or gaming equipment (e.g., tablet) to players to access an igaming site at a physical premises. - Additional information about AGCO’s approach and requirements for recertification when certified technology is modified.
More information has been included in Appendix C: ITL Certification Policy. - To facilitate operations at market launch, additional flexibility of compliance requirements in certain low-risk circumstances.
The AGCO has added more options in:- Section 4 and Appendix C: ITL Certification Policy around Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) certification of technology; and
- Section 3: around the implementation of control activities in order to comply with the Registrar’s Standards in advance of going live in Ontario.
Other modest changes have been made throughout to language and to clarify certain passages and requirements based on stakeholder feedback.
Please always keep your records up to date with the most current version of the Compliance Guide. To ensure you have the most recent version, check the “Last Updated” date on the first page.
If you need more information or have any questions after reviewing this guide, please contact the AGCO’s Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch by e-mail at iGamingCompliance@agco.ca.