The Ontario government says it is creating a new entity to manage online gaming, including single-game betting, and it hopes that the enterprise will be taking bets by the end of the year.
In a news release Tuesday, the Ford government said that iGaming Ontario will be a new subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and will conduct and manage new online gaming offerings in the province.
The move follows a change by Ottawa last month to allow single-event sports betting.
In a statement, Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey called the creation of the new entity a “pivotal milestone in our work to ensure people have access to a safe and regulated online gaming market” and said he hopes it will establish Ontario as a “world leader” in the industry.
“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,” Downey said.