Last Updated On 28 April 2026, 1:31 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

The 4^th April 2022 went down as a monumental day for the iGaming industry, not just in Canada, but on a global scale. For Ontarians, they witnessed the opening of the first regulated online gambling market in Canada and the official unveiling of a new digital realm of entertainment. For other markets across the globe, opportunity arose from the landmark decision to welcome online gambling into the province.

In opening the virtual doors to the iGaming market, Ontario gave local and international operators the opportunity to be part of an exciting movement from the very first moment. The Ontarian market is currently made up of 49 operators that run 84 gaming sites between them, which has provided a stable and experienced operator base for the province to compete in the market with.

A mixture of local and international businesses makes up Ontario’s operator portfolio, and the combination has proved fruitful, especially with the know-how and industry experience brought to the Ontarian market by reputable operators from overseas.

In the iGaming industry, it is commonplace for international businesses to acquire the relevant licensing to operate legally within a designated market. But licensing is just one concern for any operator looking to take advantage of the blossoming iGaming market in Ontario.

Check all the Boxes

When it comes to claiming an official and legal right to operate an iGaming platform in Ontario, there is an extensive list of requirements that any prospective operator needs to guarantee before they are granted a license. For some operators who have been in the game for a long time, applying for licenses in foreign markets is just another administrative effort.

Reputable platforms such as TonyBet are well practiced in the art of international iGaming exploration, with the Lithuanian based company officially licensed in respected markets such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, the U.S, and the Netherlands.

But while possessing a huge variety of games on the online casino side and a wide range of betting markets on the sports betting front is a valuable asset, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has many diverse requirements that cover different aspects of iGaming platforms and duties to be carried out by an operator.

Ensure Safety and Responsibility

One of the hottest topics surrounding the rapidly growing iGaming industry is that of player safety and what can be done to prevent issues such as gambling addiction and financial turmoil. The safety of players is one of the main objectives of the AGCO and they transmit this to any prospective operator. This often begins much earlier than the integration of secure payment processes and safety measures such as spending limits, loss reminders, and reality checks.

It is not so much the act of preventing underage or at-risk gamblers from causing harm to themselves, but how operators go about enforcing it. This is where policies differ slightly from other markets and herein lies perhaps the most essential step to gain approval from the AGCO to export iGaming products in Ontario.

Really Know Your Customer

In the current digital age, we are already accustomed to extra layers of verification to access online banking portals or to perform similar sensitive tasks. In Ontario, knowing your customer (KYC) plays a pivotal role in the operation of iGaming activity in the province. Firstly, having processes to verify an identity to prove age and location is critical.

Partnering with the right third parties if necessary to automatically authenticate and match profiles with official, government-issued documents has proved a challenge for some operators looking to obtain an Ontarian license. Then there are anti money laundering guarantees that need to be fulfilled to the AGCO’s standard. This in turn can affect potential customers of higher status, such as politically exposed people. But as a rule of thumb, ensuring that the customer is who he or she really is gets a big thumbs up from the AGCO.

Complete Compliance

Checking all the KYC metrics is the most significant step towards successfully setting up an iGaming business or affiliate in Canada. Following on from this step, the focus will then turn to more recognized procedural elements, such as providing a secure and encrypted payment system that is applicable to all currencies allowed by the AGCO. Ensuring fairness on the virtual gaming floor through the right mechanisms such as random number generators also belongs to the list of essentials.

For iGaming operators looking to enter the Canadian market, the requirements set by the AGCO are only indicative of the current outlook for iGaming in society. Stricter application procedures are demanded to protect identities and prevent harm in an online realm that is harder to monitor. Many of the key elements required have been highlighted in this piece, but the overall message is the maintenance of integrity. In the lucrative industry that is iGaming, it is easy to focus on the numbers. But for the Canadian market, there is plenty of foundation to be laid before any conversations around revenue and potential profit take place.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.