The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) on Monday said it was celebrating the launch of Ontario’s licensed and regulated iGaming market.
The organization said it was pleased the people of Ontario now have access to safe and legal gambling options online – including sports betting.
The CGA added it believes the introduction of a regulated iGaming marketplace allows the Province of Ontario to reset its priorities for the province’s gaming industry – online, land-based, and charitable gaming – and encourage competition while incentivizing capital investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Official noted Ontario is home a growing digital technology sector, a highly skilled and multi-lingual workforce, strong capital markets, and a competitive tax climate, all “key measures” the trade group said make the province an attractive location for those working in online gaming.
With today’s launch, the CGA asserted the province can use the introduction of iGaming to encourage companies to invest in Ontario, as the organization said this market is being developed in a responsible way to ensure it is sustainable. The CGA said the best gaming markets are holistic and integrate online, mobile, and land-based gaming to create a unified customer experience.
As society begins to turn the corner on Covid closures and it grapples with economic recovery, the CGA said it is imperative that Ontario’s land-based casino operators have the proper framework, tools, and level playing field to benefit from online gaming that will enable casinos to diversify their entertainment options with a view to delivering a seamless gaming experience to their customers.
“We support the government’s objectives for Ontario’s iGaming model: to establish a competitive iGaming market that fosters an exciting gaming experience while protecting consumers and keeping Ontarians safe,” Paul Burns, President and CEO, Canadian Gaming Association, said in a statement. “As of today, there is no more grey market in Ontario, only black. With the regulations in place, the province finally has the tools to deal with unlicensed operators.”
