Standards-Based Approach

The AGCO employs a standards-based approach to the regulation of gaming, recreational cannabis retailing and liquor. The objective of a standards-based regulatory model is to shift the focus from requiring licensees and registrants to comply with a specific set of rules or processes, towards the broader regulatory outcomes they are expected to achieve. This approach strengthens regulatory outcomes in a way that does not needlessly burden regulated entities.

The authority to establish risk-based standards to regulate Ontario’s gaming sector is under the Gaming Control Act, 1992 (GCA). The authority to establish standards and requirements to regulate Ontario’s cannabis retail stores is the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 (CLA). The authority to establish standards and requirements to regulate the sale, service and delivery of liquor in Ontario is the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA). 

Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming

The GCA provides the Registrar with the authority to establish standards and requirements. The standards and requirements for internet gaming (igaming) are referred to as “the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming”, and are concerned with the conduct, management and operation of online gaming sites, lottery schemes or businesses related to an online gaming site or lottery scheme or for goods or services related to that conduct, management or operation. The Standards also cover sport and event betting on online gaming sites.

The Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming were developed based on sector-specific risk assessments, research and consultations with key stakeholders, including the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and industry and social responsibility groups. In order to keep the highest standards of integrity, periodic risk assessments will be conducted to ensure that the standards continue to be relevant.

The Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming apply to igaming operators (including OLG and private), and gaming-related suppliers.

Registrar’s Standards for Gaming

The GCA provides the Registrar with the authority to establish standards and requirements. The standards and requirements for land-based gaming are referred to as “the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming”, and are concerned with the conduct, management and operation of gaming sites, lottery schemes or businesses related to a gaming site or a lottery scheme or for businesses related to an gaming site or lottery scheme or for goods or services related to that conduct, management or operation. The Standards also cover sport and event betting at land-based gaming sites.

The Registrar’s Standards for Gaming were developed based on sector-specific risk assessments, research, and consultations with key stakeholders, including the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and industry and social responsibility groups. In order to keep the highest standards of integrity, periodic risk assessments will be conducted to ensure that the standards continue to be relevant.

The Registrar’s Standards for Gaming apply to OLG charitable gaming sites, and all Casinos.  Other Standards and Guidelines are in place for other lines of business.

Registrar’s Standards for Gaming - Lottery Sector

Under the Gaming Control Act, 1992 (GCA), the Registrar is authorized to establish risk-based standards to regulate Ontario’s gaming sector. The standards and requirements for lottery are known as the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming – Lottery Sector. This sector also has technical standards which are used in assessing Electronic Lottery Systems for approval in Ontario, known as Electronic Lottery Systems Minimum Technical Standards. 

Standards and Requirements - Lottery Sector established by the Registrar apply to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and to all Operators of lottery schemes conducted in Ontario. Additionally, certain Standards and Requirements also apply to gaming-related suppliers, sellers and gaming assistants.

The Standards were developed based on a comprehensive risk assessment conducted in consultation with key stakeholders, including the OLG, and social responsibility groups.  

Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores

The CLA provides the Registrar with authority to establish Standards and Requirements. These Standards and Requirements are referred to as “the Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores” and are concerned with the conduct, management and operation of cannabis retail stores.

The Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores were developed based on risk assessments and consultations with key stakeholders. In order to keep the highest standards of integrity, periodic risk assessments will be conducted to ensure that the standards continue to be relevant.

Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor

The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA) provides the Registrar with the authority to establish standards and requirements in the following areas of liquor regulation:

  • The responsible sale, wholesale, supply, delivery, and consumption of liquor
  • Training related to the responsible sale, wholesale, supply, delivery and consumption of liquor
  • Addressing unlawful activities in licensed or permitted premises
  • Licensed and permitted premises, accommodation, equipment and facilities
  • Advertising and promotional activities
  • Keeping of records, including financial records
  • Other matters related to the conduct of licensees and permit holders or the operation of licensed or permitted premises
     

The Interim Registrar’s Standards and Requirements (Interim Standards) came into effect on November 29, 2021, and apply to licensees and permit holders in the liquor sector.

The first set of standards and requirements under the LLCA are “interim” because they will be replaced by Registrar’s Standards and Requirements for Liquor, which are still in development. The Interim Standards will simply maintain and consolidate many of the current rules and will also introduce some new rules for new activities and new AGCO authorities. Other rules for the liquor sector will remain in statutes and regulations.

The AGCO is working to develop the Registrar’s Standards and Requirements for Liquor that will build the outcomes-based regulatory model enabled by the LLCA.

Applicable Standards by Line of Business

Internet Gaming

Casino

OLG Charitable

Charitable

OLG Lotteries

Cannabis

Liquor

Standards Interpretation Protocol

The AGCO has established the Standards Interpretation Protocol, which acts as a single point of contact for inquiries from the gaming industry related to the interpretation of the Standards. In order to promote transparency and better understanding, interpretations will be posted on the AGCO’s website, with the exception of certain instances when confidentiality must be maintained.

Inquiries may be emailed to: Standards.Coordinator@agco.ca

Standards

Number

Issue

Gaming Sector
2.8, 10.1, 10.14 13-012 Game Design: Online and Land-Based Game Themes All Sectors
10.15, 10.20 13-014 Reel Weight - iGaming iGaming
3.2, 2.6 13-016 Disentitlement for iGaming Lottery Ticket Group Purchase iGaming
10.5 13-017 Game Completion iGaming
2.4, 2.8, 10.1 13-018 Help Screens - iGaming iGaming
2.8 13-019 Game Design: Online and Land-Based Game Themes iGaming
1.2 14-001 Security and Surveillance Controls All Sectors
1.34 14-002 Detection of Unauthorized Changes All Sectors
5.8 14-005 Gaming-Related Financial Transactions All Sectors
10.29 14-006 Continuous Play Functionality for iGaming iGaming
3.2 14-009 Eligible Individuals: Employees of Registered Suppliers All Sectors
2.8, 10.1, 10.14 14-010 Gaming Design: Mobile and Online Functionality iGaming
10.33 14-017 Game Session Security iGaming
7.18, 7.20, 7.21 14-020 Requirements to Deactivate Account iGaming
1.37 14-032 Definition of Player Personal Information All Sectors
3.1, 3.2 14-033 Prohibited Access: Court Order All Sectors
3.2 14-034 Eligibility - Gaming Assistants All Sectors
5.1 14-035 Information Identified in Floor Plans Land-Based
2.7 15-005 Removal from Mailing Lists All Sectors
5.7 15-006 Supervision of Destruction of Sensitive Inventories All Sectors
1.20 15-007 Use of Generic Accounts for IT Support Staff All Sectors
3.1.2, 3.2.1 16-009 Jurisdictional Scope of Court Ordered Gaming Prohibitions All Sectors
2.1 16-010 Minors in Corporate Advertising All Sectors
4.1 16-011 Surveillance Recordings Casino
1.7 17-001 Management Override Board Reporting Timelines All Sectors
2.4, 4.5, 4.17, 4.18, 10.14, 12.8, 12.9 18-001 Definition of Live Table Games Casino
10.1.1.a. 18-002 Accumulator Mechanism Percentage Disclosure iGaming
3.1.2.b 19-001 Gaming Site Access and Minimum Age Requirements iGaming

 

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