title: Ontario — Market entry in practice: How hard is entry, really? | advennt.io canonical: https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/ontario/market-entry/ [Jurisdictions](https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/) [Ontario](https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/ontario/) Market entry in practice Ontario · Question 03 of 11 # Market entry in practice: How hard is entry, really? Favourable · Probable · Expert approved · In expert review scope · [Back to full Ontario report →](https://advennt.io/jurisdictions/ontario/) Key section parameters | Jurisdiction | Ontario (CA-ON) | |---|---| | Regulator | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) / iGaming Ontario (iGO) | | Favourability | Favourable | | Confidence | Probable | | Review status | Expert approved · In expert review scope | | Last collected | 18 Oct 2026 | Summary answer Ontario (Regulated) Amendments to Ontario’s gaming regulatory legislation intended to establish the new online gambling regime were enacted in December 2020. In July 2021, the Government of Ontario announced the establishment of iGaming Ontario (“iGO”), a subsidiary of Alcohol and Gaming Commission … ## Full section analysis Ontario (Regulated) Amendments to Ontario’s gaming regulatory legislation intended to establish the new online gambling regime were enacted in December 2020. In July 2021, the Government of Ontario announced the establishment of iGaming Ontario (“iGO”), a subsidiary of Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (the “AGCO”), as a separate and distinct legal entity whose role is to conduct and manage internet gaming offerings through private gaming operators in Ontario. Due to conflict of interest concerns, legislation was passed in Ontario In the fall of 2024 that (once proclaimed in force) will dissolve the parent-subsidiary relationship between iGO and the AGCO. When that occurs, iGO will become an entirely standalone corporation without share capital and a fully independent board-governed agency. iGO has the object and duty of conducting and managing such online gambling as is prescribed in the regulations (online lottery schemes), in addition to any other prescribed objects or duties. The AGCO is responsible for overseeing iGO. The Ontario government has the authority to issue directives to the AGCO or to iGO relating to the conduct, management and operation of prescribed online lottery schemes. iGO is responsible for the conduct and management of online gambling websites that are operated by private third parties, pursuant to Operating Agreements between iGO and those private entities and in accordance with the requirements for conducting and managing gambling under s. 207 of the Criminal Code. In this manner, the Ontario government seeks to establish a competitive online gambling market that will bring offshore private online gambling operators currently in the Ontario market into the new legal market where they will be subject to a robust consumer protection framework. As of April 4, 2022, qualifying players located in the Province of Ontario are eligible to play internet casino games and placing sports bets on sites offered by igaming companies (called operators) that are fully registered by the AGCO and approved by iGO. Online casinos, poker and sports betting are immensely popular in Ontario. Although iGO operates under a fiscal year system which runs from April 1 through March 31, iGO also now issues monthly reports which makes it easier to calculate licensed gaming revenue in Ontario in calendar years. According to iGO’s Q4 2024–25 Market Performance Report Ontario’s igaming economy is comprised of $69.6 billion in total wagers annually and $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue, a 32% increase on a year-over-year basis. See https://igamingontario.ca/en/operator/market-performance-report-monthly for details. ## Top Key Attractions and Challenges Ontario Attractions There are 29 land-based casinos in Ontario, ranging from charitable casinos and racetrack based venues in smaller population centres to full resort casinos. Prominent teams in all major professional sports, giving the province strong potential as a sports wagering hub. ## Challenges Greater Toronto Area, by far the largest population centre in the province, lacks a full resort casino and all attempts to build such a Toronto casino have been soundly defeated. Large number of igaming operators have been approved to do business in Ontario (50 licensees operating 86 websites as of July 24, 2025) – Market may become saturated. ## Localisation Payment Methods: Ontario does not prescribe any particular payment methods, however the AGCO does prohibit the use of cryptocurrency in licensed igaming. Popular payment methods in Ontario include credit cards, e-wallets such as PayPal and Apple Pay, and the uniquely Canadian payment method known as Interac, which is a Canadian interbank network that links financial institutions and other enterprises for the purpose of exchanging electronic financial transactions. Marketing Channels: Marketing for igaming in Ontario takes place across a wide variety of channels, as would be expected of a highly competitive marketplace. Television advertising is quite common, as is online advertising, but advertisements are also frequently seen in print and on public signage.