This week, Ontario has discovered the name of one more gaming brand that will be joining its market for private gaming operators. Leading online betting and gaming company 888 revealed that it has been awarded an iGaming license by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Hence, the firm will be allowed to legally offer its products online to Ontarians.
The company will be able to go live, when the market formally launches this spring, as according to AGCO’s subsidiary iGaming Ontario, the new regime starts off on April 4, 2022. And the market has attracted plenty of interest from all kinds of gaming operators, as it is the most populous province in the country, which legalized single-event betting last summer.
One More Operator Joins In
Once, the market goes live on April 4, 2022, and provided that there will be no further delays, 888 will be able to offer its impressive portfolio of iGaming products to eligible Ontario gamblers. This includes the company’s iCasino, sports betting, and poker products via its proprietary technology. This way, the company will join other licensed operators such as PointsBet and theScore.
Itai Pazner, CEO of 888 Holdings Plc, commented that the company is quite pleased to have received an iGaming license from the AGCO and iGaming Ontario. And now the team is looking forward to the launch of the market this April. In his words, the province presents an attractive long-term growth opportunity for the operator and it is a major milestone for the company.
The CEO has also said that the firm’s focus is on always bolstering its presence in key regulated markets and providing customers with first-class gaming products. Mr. Pazner said that they prepare for launch the company is eager to offer its unique and differentiated online gaming offers to the many gambling enthusiasts eligible to play from within Ontario’s borders.
It is worth mentioning that 888 is a prominent name in the gaming industry, as the company is licensed to operate in 19 locally regulated markets from all around the globe. This number also includes a total of seven jurisdictions in the United States, and soon the company will be able to leave its mark on Ontario’s newly regulated market.
Geofencing Outsiders
Recently, the AGCO and iGaming Ontario shared their concern that the province will need to have a reliable geofencing service provider as many out-of-jurisdiction gamblers try to fraud their in to play. Currently, there are two companies that are rumored to be among the frontrunners – GeoComply and LocationSmart. The provincial regulators reminded operators that they will need to take the needed measures before going live.
First Nations Do Not Agree
However, the opening of the provincial igaming market for private operators is not great news for everybody. For instance, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation is not at all happy with its emergence. The First Nation has also shared its intentions to take the matter into court, as in their words, the province has failed to hold formal discussions with Indigenous governments about the possible impact of the gaming expansion.
Source: Porter, Conor “888 secures igaming license in Ontario ahead of market launch”, SBC Americas, March 3, 2022
