AGCO to review racetrack license approvals and race date calendars for 2026 season

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has confirmed that race date recommendations for the 2026 horse racing season will be submitted for approval in the coming weeks, marking the next step in the province’s annual racetrack licensing and scheduling process.

According to an information bulletin issued on December 30, the race date calendars proposed by Ontario Lottery and Gaming and Ontario Racing cover the period from April to December 2026.  

These recommendations will be reviewed by the Registrar, with approved calendars to be released following a final decision. 

As part of the licensing update, AGCO confirmed that several racetrack associations have already been issued licenses for standardbred racing. Licensed venues include Kawartha Downs and Rideau Carleton Raceway. 

A license for Leamington Raceway remains pending, with issuance subject to the completion of outstanding requirements.

AGCO stated that additional industry notices will be published once race dates are finalized and the approval process has concluded. The regulator did not provide a specific timeline for the Registrar’s decision but indicated that updates would be released at the earliest opportunity. 

The licensing process forms part of AGCO’s broader oversight of Ontario’s regulated gaming and racing sectors. The commission is responsible for approving racetrack operations, supplier registrations, and operator licenses across multiple verticals, including horse racing, casinos, and online gaming.

In recent months, AGCO has continued to expand and refine Ontario’s regulatory framework. In October 2025, the commission approved St8 for a supplier license, allowing the casino games aggregator to offer its full content suite to regulated operators in the province. The approval followed St8’s expansion into other regulated markets, including the UK, Malta, and the Isle of Man.

AGCO has also approved new operators entering the Ontario iGaming market. In September 2025, Absolutebet secured AGCO registration, enabling the Ontario-based company to proceed with onboarding through iGaming Ontario ahead of its market launch. 

The approval placed Absolutebet under the province’s updated regulatory requirements, including revised rules around responsible gaming program approvals introduced earlier in the year.

The upcoming racetrack license approvals and race date confirmations for 2026 underline AGCO’s continued role in coordinating Ontario’s gaming and racing calendar. The decisions are expected to provide clarity for operators and industry stakeholders planning for the next standardbred racing season across the province.

David Thompson

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