March, 20th, 2024 marks the official start of iGaming Ontario (iGO) accepting proposals supporting its aim to employ a centralised self-exclusion solution in Ontario. The acceptance of responsible gambling proposals will continue until 24 April, says the regulator of Ontario online gambling. The NRFP details are available to interested parties on MERX, enabling the preparation of submissions via the iGaming Ontario dedicated procurement website.
No Potential Release Date on Self-Exclusion Program
Players in the most populous province in Canada will soon enjoy access to the single, omnipresent self-exclusion program as the RFP phase gets underway. However, there is no indication of the implementation date despite the awareness of the growing need for the iGO. Martha Otton, the executive director of the iGO, also highlighted the increasing market and the need for enhanced measures for players in Ontario during the Canadian Gaming Summit last June.
Otton also shared that besides operator requirements to spend certain percentages of gross gaming revenue towards responsible gambling education and messaging, the centralised self-exclusion program in the province would be a first of its kind. This will allow players to self-exclude themselves from all products across Ontario. Although, more work needs to be done to accomplish this feat.
Since the start of October through 31 December 2023, the iGaming market in Ontario has shown tremendous growth in a record-setting quarter. During the same period, the province generated revenue of $658 million. It took total bets worth $17.2 billion compared to the Q2 increase, a respective increase of 22% and 21%. Despite figures not including the contributions of the online gambling site of the Gaming Corporation and the Ontario Lottery, the provincial operator's centralised self-exclusion program will be available through its online platform to players.
Winning Bidder Needs to Satisfy Three Requirements
To be successful, bidders will be required to satisfy three requirements to implement a self-exclusion program. According to iGaming Ontario, the winning bidder must develop a system that manages the following:
- Provide seamless integration with the 75-plus systems of all iGaming operators in Ontario, including the online offering of the OLG.
- Provide easy access to anyone over 19 to create their self-exclusion profile and manage it.
- Employ the Know Your Customer (KYC) identity registration, verification, renewal, and the process of reinstatement that are simple, intuitive, and provide supporting information.
The iGO added six principles to the system criteria for the centralised self-exclusion in its initial statement in November. The program must focus on the player and be transparent, supportive, robust, secure, and viable. The iGO added it will closely collaborate with the successful bidder with a multi-year program, developing a user experience that is best-in-class by leveraging innovative and modern technology.
Best Canadian Online Casinos with Self-Exclusion Programs
Responsible gambling is of utmost importance for a safe and secure online gaming experience. The best online casinos in Canada offering such practices gain significant recognition with our readers. Canadian players enjoy access to a wealth of options, which we reviewed and compared to identify the best choices for a safe and convenient experience. All of this starts with a great welcome bonus to ensure a thrilling online gaming experience on desktop and mobile devices. Here is a top picks of online casinos with excellent self-exclusion programs in 2024.
- Captain Cooks Casino - Powered by Microgaming and accepting transactions in CAD, Captain Cooks Casino Canada welcomes newcomers with 100 chances to win a progressive jackpot for a minimum deposit of $5.00. You can also claim up to $475 in bonuses spread across the next 4 deposits. The game collection includes popular titles by premier software developers and ensures quick transactions via Interac, iDebit, and Instadebit.
- Jackpot City Casino - Home to incredible jackpots, the no-download casino offers mobile and instant play using Microgaming software. You can claim up to $1,600 in welcome bonuses that will be spread across your first 4 deposits to get you started at Jackpot City Casino Canada. Look forward to trustworthy payment options, fairness on all games and payouts, robust security measures, and one of the best responsible gambling programs in the world.
- Quatro Casino - The online brand that forms part of the Casino Rewards Group will give you the opportunity to claim up to 700 free spins on 7 different slots as well as a $100 match bonus on your initial deposit. Quatro Casino Canada is a Microgaming partner focused on offering a safe, fair, and responsible experience that includes a fantastic variety of choices in trustworthy payment methods. Members also enjoy 24/7 customer support, great promotions and phenomenal loyalty rewards.
The iGaming approach by Ontario to present a responsible gambling experience focuses on providing operators with what they need to empower Canadian players to make informed choices about their gameplay. We strongly support the self-exclusion by the RGC, which will add to the overall experience at the best online casinos in Canada We will provide more information as this latest development unfolds.
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