A judge rules that the province isn’t breaking any laws by allowing commercial online gaming
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ruled on online gaming regulation. The court rejected an application by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawàke (MCK) to permit online gaming within the province, strengthening the legality of iGaming Ontario (iGO).
iGaming Ontario unites with the provincial government and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to regulate online gaming. The agencies are tasked with controlling the market while protecting consumers with responsible gambling procedures and diversifying the online gaming choices for residents.
Online operators must register with the AGCO and have agreements in place with iGO before launching their platforms. As drafted by the order, iGaming Ontario will regulate gaming in the province.
The MCK has long opposed changes in the current law, notably C-218, which legalized new sports betting formats in June 2021. The council reasoned that the province’s regulatory changes violated current laws and constitutional regulations. However, the Ontario Superior Court’s ruling states that the iGaming Ontario standard is concurrent with the Criminal Code, upholding the proposal’s legality.
Despite the MCK’s claims, the court specified that iGaming Ontario retains substantial authority over gaming operators and will resume its influence in the province’s online gaming market.
iGaming Ontario Executive Director Martha Otton conveyed her trust in the new regulatory framework, highlighting the court’s confirmation. She stressed the focus on player safety, security, and Ontario’s financial gains.
Now that Ontario’s iGaming framework has been established, the Court’s decision allows the province to continue enforcing regulations to ensure Ontario residents have a safe online gaming environment.
