Ontario iGaming to Undergo Full Review, Minister Announces

Speaking at the Canadian Gaming Summit, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Gaming Ontario Stan Cho announced the need to review the province’s iGaming sector, which has seen rapid growth over the past few years.

Why the Minister Wants a Review of the Ontario iGaming Industry

According to Cho, OLG is projected to generate $6.82 billion in revenue, while iGO (iGaming Ontario) is expected to contribute an estimated $3.7 billion. These historic figures represent far more than just financial outcomes. Cho explained that they reflect the support of thousands of businesses, the creation of tens of thousands of jobs, substantial charitable contributions, and billions returned to taxpayers.

Cho also explained that the review will explore opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce regulatory burden across both online and land-based gaming markets, with the overarching goal of ensuring the sector delivers strong economic benefits for Ontarians. Importantly, the process will not be driven solely by political decision-making. Instead, it will be informed by the insights of industry experts and operators. The intention is to listen closely to those directly impacted and to shape changes based on their expertise.

Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns echoed Cho’s words, emphasizing that now is the time to proceed with this large overview. Burns explained how in Ontario, both land-based and online operators navigate a uniquely Canadian regulatory framework that involves conduct and management on one side, and a separate regulatory body on the other. These are two distinct entities, each with its own reporting requirements.

As a result, operators sometimes face requests for the same information from both entities, though not always at the same time, in the same format, or with identical details. The Minister has referenced issues of duplication and the need for greater efficiency, which aligns with the industry’s goals. These are the kinds of quick wins that stakeholders believe can be achieved in collaboration with the Minister over the coming year.

Details Are Still Being Discussed

While Burns seems quite supportive of Cho’s initiative, he also acknowledged that there are many more things about the iGaming review that need to be polished. However, conversations about this are already well underway with industry professionals, albeit this also poses challenges in competitive markets, as it raises concerns about the inefficient use of resources. These are funds that could be more effectively allocated. They reduce operator profits and diminish the government’s share of revenue due to the reporting burden, which is an issue that requires close attention.

Recently, there has been much discussion regarding the efficiency of the allocation of resources, with the Canadian Gaming Association raising concerns over gaming markets channelization.

With that being said, Burns thinks that there should be a more efficient collaboration between conduct and management, and regulators. This would make the industry work better for operators and players, keeping pace with technology and innovation, according to Burns.