Rush Street Interactive Inc (RSI) and LeoVegas Group have been registered by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) as igaming operators in the Canadian province of Ontario, while Play’n GO has been awarded a supplier license.
Ontario’s igaming market has been given a launch date of April 4 and is expected to be one of the most competitive gaming markets in North America.
From April 4, private gaming operators that have registered with the AGCO and have executed an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO), a subsidiary of the commission, can begin offering their games to players within the Canadian province.
Registered by the AGCO as an igaming operator, RSI notes that it plans to satisfy all remaining regulatory requirements and begin operating its BetRivers online casino and sportsbook in Ontario on launch day.
Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI, commented: “The receipt of our registration in Ontario is an important milestone that demonstrates our commitment to operating only in legalized markets where we pay local taxes, and we are grateful for the trust of the AGCO.
“We are now one step closer to launching the BetRivers real-money online casino and sportsbook in Ontario and bringing our unique betting options, such as our innovative peer-to-peer slot tournaments or same game parlays, fast payouts, and award-winning customer service to the province’s millions of residents.”
LeoVegas, also registered by the AGCO as an igaming operator, states its next and final step involves entering into an operating agreement with iGO. Once this is completed, it will offer casino, live casino, and betting under the brands LeoVegas and Royal Panda.
“Over recent years, the LeoVegas brand has become the third most well-known casino brand in the Canadian market and Royal Panda has shown strong growth – a clear sign that the mobile gaming experience we offer is appreciated by North American customers,” stated Gustaf Hagman, CEO of LeoVegas Group.
“Our full focus now is to complete the process and we look forward to launch in a regulated environment. Given our track record and knowledge to operate in regulated markets we continue to have high expectations and ambitions for continued growth in the Ontario market.”
Through its supplier license from the AGCO, Play’n GO will offer its popular titles such as Rise of Olympus, Book of Dead, Reactoonz, Tome of Madness, and many more to the Ontario market.
“Regulated markets are vital not just to Play’n GO’s business strategy, but to the industry as a whole; they ensure a safe gaming environment for players, and operators can focus on providing a fun and entertaining experience that is truly sustainable,” said Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer for Play’n GO.
“Ontario is an important province representing some 40 per cent of the population of Canada, and we look forward to players there enjoying our games.
“However, Ontario represents just the first stage in Play’n GO’s North American entry strategy that will see our titles shortly be made available in selected regulated US state level igaming jurisdictions for the very first time. With Ontario’s regulated market opening, followed by our entry into the USA, it’s set to be an exciting year for Play’n GO.”
Sissel Weitzhandler, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for Play’n GO, added: “Our strategy remains to engage with all regulated jurisdictions, and we thank the AGCO for our license award.
“The opening of Ontario’s regulated market is exciting and an important milestone in Play’n GO’s North America journey. We look forward to supporting our partners in Ontario from 4 April onwards.”
