Ontario adds responsible gambling to licensing criteria for igaming operators

A requirement to attain the Responsible Gambling Council’s (RGC) certification under its RG Check Accreditation Program will now be mandatory for prospective igaming operators in Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has confirmed.

The inclusion of the program within AGCO’s igaming and sports betting regulatory framework, comes just days before the Ontario regulated market launches on April 4.

The program is currently being used at land-based casinos in Ontario, but will now be a requirement for licensing in the province.

The RG Check was originally developed in 2010 by the RGC, in consultation with policymakers, operators, players and people who had experienced gambling harm. The validation process helps gambling venues and igaming sites evaluate, monitor and manage all aspects of their responsible gambling strategy and operations.

Discussing the program iGaming Ontario (iGO) executive director Martha Otton said: “The RG Check program is comprised of nine standards and 48 criteria that measure the scope and effectiveness of operators’ RG programming in areas such as site and product design, marketing communications and assisting players who may be experiencing harm from gambling.”

“This allows Ontarians to play with confidence,” she added.

RGC chief executive Shelley White commented: “RG Check is a leading responsible gambling accreditation that is used by jurisdictions around the world. The RG Check symbol is a demonstration to all that the operator is committed to and has strong gambling safeguards in place.”