1960s – 1974 – Setting of the Criminal Code and amendments
After the setting of the Canadian Criminal Code in the 1960s, an amendment was made that allowed some forms of gambling. Later, in 1874, the Criminal Code of Canada outlawed some ‘games of chance’ such as card games and lotteries.
1975 – The creation of the Lottery and Gaming Corporation
In 1975, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation of Ontario was set up and started its existence, which was responsible for Canada’s casinos, slot games, racetracks, and lotteries. In 1985, this organization allowed provinces to gain control over their gambling laws. The government of Canada keeps its rights to control horse racing.
1892 – The opening of the first horse racing track
In 1892, the Ontario Jockey Club launched its first horse racing track at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. At the time, horse race betting was not considered gambling, thus it was legal.
1992 – Regulation of brick-and-mortar establishments
The Gaming Control Act of 1992 was introduced, responsible for regulating land-based casinos in the country. Two years later, in 1994, the first legal venue to operate in Ontario – Windsor (now operating as Caesars Windsor) opens doors.
1998 – The ACGO is the regulatory authority over Ontario casinos
In 1998, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (ACGO) takes regulatory control over the gambling establishments.
2015 – The introduction of the Horse Racing License Act
In 2015, the Horse Racing License Act was introduced, which gave the AGCO responsibility for regulating horse racing in the province. The same year Playolg.ca – the state-run online casino was opened and made accessible to Ontarian players.
2018 – The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act
In 2018, Bill C-218 – the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act was introduced. It decriminalized single-game betting across entire Canada.
2021 – Legalization of betting
With the enactment of Bill C-218, in 2021 it became legal for provincial governments, or individuals licensed by a province to conduct a lottery scheme involving betting on a race (excluding horse race wagering), a fight, or a single sports event or athletic contest. On August 27, 2021, PROLINE+, a province-run sportsbook was launched for Ontarians. 2021 was also the year when the Government set up iGaming Ontario with the aim of overseeing licenses for gambling platforms and brands operating on the Internet.
2022 – Legal iGaming
One of the most important Ontario gambling laws was launched on April 4, 2022, when legal and regulated iGaming became reality. The first regulated online sportsbooks started operating the same year.
2023 – Positive contributions from the Ontario iGaming market – July 19, 2023
According to research by Deloitte made in June 2023, during the first year of its operation, the Internet gambling market of the province has provided C$1.5bn in economic revenue. The report, released by iGaming Ontario (iGO), reveals that the online gambling industry here has created 12,000 new jobs in the province, which generated C$900m in benefits through salary payments. Most of these jobs are well-paying, with average wages for workers at C103,000, which is around C$30,000 over the average Ontarian wage.
July – August 2023 – Chair replacements
Following the departure of former Chair Lalit Aggarwal, July 24, 2023, AGCO has appointed Dave Forestell as his successor. Prior to Forestell’s confirmation, the board’s Vice-Chair, Heidi Reinhart, temporarily assumed his responsibilities.
iGaming Ontario (iGO) has officially announced that on August 1, 2023, Heidi Reinhart will assume the role of chair, succeeding the departing Dave Forestell. In addition to her role as a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, where she specializes in securities and corporate law, Reinhart has been a member of the AGCO board of directors since 2020.
October 2023 – Ontario iGaming figures with steady growth
On October 10, 2023, the iGaming statistics reveal consistent expansion. The second-quarter data from iGaming Ontario (iGO) indicates a total of C$14.2 billion in web betting on sports and online gaming within the province. The casino market accounts for 84% of this amount.
