Ontario Government Initiates Revision of Its Online Gambling Sector
Tomorrow's Headlines: June 19, 2025, 09:19h
Last Update: June 19, 2025, 09:19h
Stan Cho: Canadian Gambling Industry’s Booming Future Great Content at Your Fingertips
The air buzzed with anticipation as Ontario's Tourism, Culture, and Gaming Minister, Stan Cho, took the stage for the Canadian Gaming Summit.
Booming Industry and Staggering Figures
"To say that Ontario's gaming sector is flourishing would be a gigantic understatement," Cho proclaimed to a bustling crowd at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. "This year, we anticipate that the industry will surpass $10 billion in earnings. OLG is expected to rake in a monumental $6.82 billion, and iGO [iGaming Ontario] is poised to reel in an impressive $3.7 billion.
These staggering figures signify far more than just financial success. They represent thriving businesses, limitless jobs, mountains of money funneled to charity, and billions returned to the taxpayer.
Red Tape Elimination and Economic Growth
"And with infrastructure development, community programs, decent wages for frontline staff, and stable income streams for small businesses, the advancement and prosperity of the gaming industry continues to lead to the advancement and prosperity of Ontario's economy as a whole."
So, with that, Cho declared that the government will initiate a review of the gaming sector.
"Our review will assess opportunities to improve efficiency and eliminate red tape across both the online and land-based markets," he explained. "The overall goal is to guarantee that the entire gaming sector delivers noteworthy economic returns for Ontario residents."
Cho emphasized that these changes wouldn't stem from a group of politicians mindlessly dictating industry rules. Instead, they would be based on expert industry input.
iGaming Ontario Act and the Separation of Powers
In May, the iGaming Ontario Act was expedited, making iGaming Ontario an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming. Previously, iGaming Ontario had been a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), with gaming firms registered by the AGCO signing an operating agreement with iGO before launching.
This separation was aimed at fortifying iGO's governance and accountability framework. The AGCO still oversees the whole gambling sector. In theory, the separation enables iGO to move swiftly in response to the evolving online gambling market.
The Objective of the Review
"it's a prime moment to execute this review, as making it simpler for companies to establish and expand their offerings can result in increased variety, more choice, and better outcomes," said Canadian Gaming Association President & CEO Paul Burns.
This mirrors discussions that the industry has been having. The challenge lies in conducting and management, as well as the regulator, and the questions that arise from duplication and inefficiency. Cho referenced duplication and improving efficiency, and that's what we hope to achieve – quick wins that we can see in the coming year, Burns added[1][2][3][5].
Cost of Compliance
"We have no insight into the details of the minister's review, but I'm saying we've already started conversations among our members and industry stakeholders about the escalating cost of compliance. This impost affects competition, and it's concerning because those dollars could be used better. They're taking away from profits, and they're detracting from government revenue shares due to the burden of paperwork," Burns highlighted.
Effective and streamlined regulation is what we yearn for, providing the great outcomes that everyone seeks for the gaming industry[1][3][5]. By fostering a more cooperative relationship between industry experts and regulators, we can lift all boats, making the industry more adaptable, remaining abreast of technological advancements, and keeping pace with innovation. After all, online gambling is only another product in a competitive entertainment landscape.
- Advancements in online gambling technology and the industry's response [www.igamingagency.com/igaming-providers-and-the-latest- trends-in-the-industry]
- The impact of regulations on the online gambling market [www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/03/25/2023517/0/en/Global-Online-Gambling-Market-Analysis- Share-Competitive-Landscape-and-Market- Forecasts-to-2027- ResearchAndMarkets.com.html]
- The complexities and challenges faced by the online gambling industry [www.the-gambling-insider.com/interviews/the-challenges-of-the-online-casino- industry-report]
- The importance of efficient online gambling regulation [www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a8fd481e-97ce-4dad-ae8a-7fe2bd7347bc]
- The economic benefits of regulated online gambling [www.forbes.com/sites/cristiandebenedetti/2015/05/21/us-unrestricted-online-gambling-worth- 40-billion-a-year-study-shows-in-indiana-social-welfare-impact-could-reach- 350-million-per-year/]
Canadian Gaming Summit, attended by Minister Stan Cho, discussed the booming Canadian gaming industry and its anticipated financial success. The review, recently initiated by the government, aims to eliminate red tape and improve efficiency, particularly in the online gaming sector, to ensure significant economic returns for Ontario residents. Canadian Gaming Association's President & CEO, Paul Burns, emphasized the importance of cost reduction and effective regulation to foster growth and adaptability in the Canadian gaming industry, which operates in a competitive entertainment landscape.
