This Internet Gaming Operator Application Guide contains detailed information to assist internet gaming operators in applying for registration. We strongly encourage you to visit and keep checking the AGCO website for up-to-date additional helpful resources.
We are looking forward to working with you on your application. Subject matter experts are available to respond to your eligibility and compliance related inquiries including registration questions. A process is also in place to coordinate and connect applicants with iGaming Ontario staff as required. Please direct your inquiries about applying for registration as an internet gaming site operator to AGCO Customer Service through one of the following:
Once you have submitted your application, dedicated contacts (including those within our Licensing and Registration Branch and Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch) will work with you throughout the process and liaise with other team members where applicable.
As you complete your application, please take note of the following:
Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator is required for entities that operate an internet gaming site within Ontario.
Given the wide range of potential variations in company organization and structure, there is not a definitive list of activities that illustrates what it means to “operate a gaming site.” In general, for igaming, operating a gaming site means having an ongoing responsibility for the gaming site as a whole, including:
Another useful way to look at the role of an operator is comparing it to the role of a GRS. GRSs are goods or service suppliers, not operators, including those that manufacture, provide, install, test, maintain or repair gaming equipment or who provide consulting or similar services directly related to the playing of a lottery scheme or the operation of a gaming site. Unlike operators, they do not have any measure of control or role in relation to operating the gaming site as a whole.
Rather, they provide specific goods or services that are directly related to the gaming site or the playing of a lottery scheme. Some examples of GRSs include third-party internet gaming platform providers and independent testing laboratories (ITLs).
An operator may engage in the same activities as a GRS but will need only apply as an Internet Gaming Operator (and, therefore, submit one application and one fee as such). In contrast, a GRS is not permitted to operate a gaming site.
Note: If you intend to operate more than one distinct online gaming site, you are required to submit a separate application for each site. Please refer to Section 2 in this Guide, What constitutes a distinct internet gaming site?, for additional guidance.
The AGCO will look at applications on a case-by-case basis and will work with you to confirm the details of your application and ensure that the operator designation is appropriate for your organization.
In the Gaming Control Act, 1992, a gaming site is defined as a “premises or an electronic channel maintained for the purpose of playing or operating a lottery scheme.”
The AGCO will consider the following factors when determining whether you are proposing to operate a single internet gaming site or multiple internet gaming sites. Note that a proposed offering does not need to meet all the factors to be assessed as a single gaming site.
Uniform account credentials link a player’s access to the gaming site, related websites or domain names, mobile app(s), and the various styles of game offerings seamlessly. A distinct login through a portal to a particular game or group of games is required. However, upon login and any other required verification, the patron would gain access across the entire spectrum of operator game offerings seamlessly. They could then login to other offerings like mobile apps or related websites or domain names of the operator without creating new account credentials.
Note: It is not enough for a patron to simply opt to register and sign-in with the same username and password across all gaming sites.
For Example:
An e-wallet, also referred to as a digital account, that is integrated into a single platform to enable a patron to have access to their funds across all related websites or domain names, mobile app(s) and the various styles of game offerings. A common e-wallet may be a distinguishing characteristic that would indicate a single electronic gaming site.
For Example:
Operators may have different game offerings, related websites or domain names and mobile app(s) operating under different site brand names. A site brand is the combination of properties (i.e. colour, logo, theme, etc.) within a site(s) that gives it an identity and makes it distinct from other sites. An individual site brand may be a distinguishing characteristic that would indicate a separate electronic gaming site.
The persons operating gaming sites, even those closely associated through branding, may be different. These operators, even where those form part of the same over-arching corporate structure, may be an indicator that different sites are being operated. Each operator would require separate registration.
For Example:
Note: Additional information may be requested by the Registrar to complete the determination as to whether a single or multiple game sites are being applied for.
An operator of an internet gaming site is required to pay a regulatory fee of $100,000 annually per gaming site. This regulatory fee must be submitted with the application. Gaming registrants can select a one or two-year term option, with fees payable to match the length of the term. The AGCO’s Gaming Registration Fee Schedule page lists all types of regulatory fees.
Note the following with respect to making this payment:
All regulatory fees are non-refundable.
Also please note that additional regulatory costs will apply to registered Operators.
In addition to the $100,000 per gaming site regulatory fee noted above:
The AGCO’s regulatory framework helps ensure, among other things, that igaming in Ontario is conducted, managed, and operated with honesty and integrity, and protects the Ontario public and players. Ontario’s framework enables the Registrar to consider applications and provide registrations where operators have met the relevant regulatory requirements.
As of October 31st, 2022, a new Standard requires registrants and applicants to cease any unregulated activities in the Ontario igaming market. The requirements of this new Standard are as follows:
These requirements will provide the basis for future eligibility and compliance activities.
Applicants conduct all their AGCO registration-related transactions online through the iAGCO web-based portal. By creating an iAGCO account, you will be able to apply for and manage your AGCO-issued licences, permits, authorizations and registrations, anytime and from anywhere.
To allow the AGCO to begin processing your application, your submission should include the following:
For your Operator Application, supporting documents may include:
Your submission must also include a compliance gap analysis against the AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
The purpose of this analysis is to demonstrate that each applicant is aware of the content of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, that you have done substantive analysis to identify any gaps relative to your current controls, processes, technology, etc., and that you have developed a plan to address those gaps.
As such, your Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming Gap Analysis must include:
Entity Disclosure must be completed by the following entities:
Note: Do not complete Entity Disclosure for corporations affiliated to the applicant through common ownership and/or subsidiaries of the applicant corporation unless requested by the Registrar.
For more information, please refer to the Personal and Entity Disclosure Requirements Guide.
Personal Disclosure* must be completed by the following individuals associated with an applicant entity:
For those individuals for whom Canada is not the primary place of residence, a recent (within the last 12 months) criminal background check, must be submitted with the disclosure.
Note: Employees of internet gaming operators are not required to be registered as Gaming Assistants.
* For more information, please refer to the Personal and Entity Disclosure Requirements Guide.
The declaration must be completed by an individual who has signing authority (i.e. authority to bind) on behalf of the business entity (applicant) named in the application.
All registered internet gaming operators will be required to submit an independently audited assessment of the processes and controls that they have in place to meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. The AGCO typically refers to these processes and controls as a Control Activity Matrix (CAM).
The independently audited CAM will be required to include all controls related to the gaming site, including where the operator works with third-party suppliers, including platform providers. More information about CAM submission requirements will be provided in the near future.
There are two scenarios for submitting this information:
During the Eligibility Review process, operator applicants will be notified of which scenario applies to them and will be contacted by the Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch to discuss next steps and requirements.
We’re excited you are considering becoming part of the open and competitive regulated igaming scheme in Ontario. As we noted at the beginning of this guide, we are looking forward to working with you on your application. Our subject matter experts are ready to respond to your eligibility and compliance-related inquiries.
We will also coordinate and connect applicants with iGaming Ontario staff as required. Please direct your inquiries about applying for registration as an internet gaming site operator to AGCO Customer Service through one of the following:
Once you have submitted your application, dedicated contacts (including those within the AGCO’s Licensing and Registration Branch and Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch) will work with you throughout the process and liaise with other team members where applicable.