Ontario gambling oversight body establishes igaming safeguards
IGaming Ontario unveils marketing and gameplay rules to promote safer gambling
IGaming Ontario, a recently-created subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has rolled out a new set of rules aimed at protecting consumers and promoting safer gambling.
The directives, which mainly pertain to the marketing and promotion of igaming, are part of the watchdog’s remit to manage and oversee online casino in the province, Canada’s largest by population.
Among the safeguards set forth, any marketing campaign for online gambling must not be geared toward minors, and cannot be displayed in the vicinity of a school.
In addition, deceptive tactics such as losses disguised as wins (LDW) are strictly prohibited, as are functions that would allow for multi-screen slot play – a practice that can fuel problem gambling.
Toward that end, operators must conduct anti-money laundering (AML) checks and make available self-exclusion lists as part of their responsible gambling efforts.
There are also additional rules set forth related to gameplay, with all online slot games required to establish a minimum of 2.5 seconds between spins. Auto-play features are banned as well.
The AGCO announced the creation of iGaming Ontario in early July as part of a wider effort to ensure that online gaming in the province – which is expected to launch in late 2021 – is properly regulated and safe for consumers.
“Following parliament’s historic vote to lift the prohibition on single-event sport wagering last month, the establishment of iGaming Ontario is another pivotal milestone in our work to ensure people have access to a safe and regulated online gaming market by the end of the year,” Attorney General Doug Downey said at the time.
“We are determined to work with industry, responsible gaming advocates, and regulatory partners to ensure Ontario is a world leader in building a safe online gaming environment that meets consumer expectations,” he added.
Online gaming in Ontario is projected to be close to a $1bn market, depending on how many consumers the regulated industry can convert from black and grey markets.