The government of Ontario inches closer to regulating online gambling in the Canadian province to allow single bet wagering and offshore casinos to enter.
In a press release on 11 April 2019, the Canadian Gaming Association accepted a same-day announcement by the government of Ontario to establish an online gaming regulatory system in the province that will ensure legal and safe gambling options for customers in Ontario.
As a not-for-profit organization, the Canadian Gaming Association works to improve and evolve the gaming industry in the country and is responsible when it comes to promoting the gaming industry's economic value while utilizing the best research, innovation, and practices to assist the industry in building and advancing productive dialogue with stakeholders.
According to the press release, over $500 million is being spent annually on offshore gambling websites by Ontarians. The Canadian Gaming Association, who also has co-ownership of the Canadian Gaming Summit, praises the budget commitment by the government that will witness a competitive market for legal online gambling, reflecting consumer choice while also protecting the players that enjoy spending their hard-earned money on some of the best Canadian online casino sites. Included here are Jackpot City, Betway, Spin Casino, Yuckon Gold and RubyFortune Casino, only to name a few. All of these Canadian casino sites enjoy a great reputation because they stand for legal gambling, top-notch security and premium game quality, which is something that players know how to easily recognize and appreciate.
Offshore Gambling Concerns
The Canadian Gaming Association has been a long-time advocate when it comes to the regulation of online gambling in the Great White North. Paul Burns, the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Canadian Gaming Association, has recently stated: "There has been quite a significant development in the amount wagered on offshore casino sites and therefore we welcome the creation of a regulatory system surrounding offshore sites to better protect the players."
According to the press release, the organization based in Toronto is eager to form part of the government's dialogue with stakeholders and will share in the province's commitment to create a market that is thoughtful to consumer preferences, provides an entertaining online gaming experience, and ensures that the most advanced security measures are in place.
Single Event Wagering and End of Monopoly
In the recent press release, Paul Burnes also thanked Vic Fedeli, the Minister of Finance in Ontario, for the continued pressure from the government on the amendment of the Criminal Code from the Federal Government to permit single-event betting. "We share the views of the Minister in terms of ending the gambling prohibition era and giving sports bettors the access to the product they wish to bet on," Burns added.
In the provincial budget of 2019, the new Tory government in Ontario pledged to expand the online gambling options in the province that houses more than 15 million residents, efficiently stopping the current gambling monopoly that the PlayOLG.ca site enjoys.
Proposed Changes and Widespread Support
The changes on the horizon will also include single-event sports betting legalization in the Canadian province as well as allowing casinos to promote complementary alcohol. This move will create a more leveled playing field for the casinos in the province and will allow them to successfully compete with online gaming operators in the United States, according to the government in Ontario. Private online casino operators will also have the ability to apply for a gambling license in the province, while residence in Ontario will be able to buy OLG lottery tickets directly from their handheld devices.
The move to offer superior online casinos in Canada along with single-event sports betting, is supported by the NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, the CFL commissioner, Randy Ambrosie, and the MLS commissioner, Don Garber. NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, also supports single-event wagering in Ontario, stating that the regulation would protect the integrity of the sport and its fans.
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