Ontario’s new iGaming market, which is set to launch on April 4, 2022, has confirmed its first licensed operators. Penn National Gaming‘s subsidiary theScore Bet; Rivalry Corp. and PointsBet announced Friday they have achieved registration as internet gaming and sports betting operators with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
John Levy, CEO of theScore, spoke about this milestone and said: “We’re thrilled to be one of the first operators to receive an internet gaming operator certificate of registration from the AGCO as we prepare for Ontario’s new regulated market. We’ve been and will continue to be at the forefront as regulated internet gaming is introduced in Ontario and are beyond excited to be able to bring theScore Bet to our home market on April 4. Finally, the countdown to launch has begun”.
theScore Bet was the first prospective operator in Ontario to secure Gaming Labs International certification for Ontario, evidencing gaming platform compliance with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, as well as RG Check iGaming Accreditation from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC).
As Penn National Gaming recently reported its Q4, 2021 numbers, CEO Jay Snowden reflected on theScore’s penetration into Ontario’s new market and said: “We expect this market will be a sizable opportunity for us given the strong brand awareness and audience reach of theScore and Barstool Sports”, and anticipated theScore Bet will migrate to its own proprietary trading platform in the Province in Q3, 2022; while Barstool Sportsbook app is expected to complete migration a year later.
Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry, also commented on the company’s approved registration and said: “We are very pleased to be one of the first companies to be registered as an internet gaming operator in Ontario. As a proud Toronto-founded band based company, it’s a particular privilege to be able to finally offer our innovative product legally and responsibly in our backyard. I’m confident we will deliver a differentiated experience that will elevate what consumers think sports betting can be”.
The company continues to work with AGCO’s subsidiary, iGaming Ontario, a Government of Ontario agency which conducts and manages internet gaming in the province when provided through private gaming operators, to complete any and all final requisite steps as it prepares for launch.
In an official statement signed by PointsBet Canada’s CEO Scott Vanderwel; and Vice-President, Legal, Compliance & People, Chantal Cipriano, it was announced that the company has also become licensed by the AGCO.
“Since day one, we have remained genuine to our promise of building a Canadian sportsbook, with Canadian employees, for the Canadian market. Today’s approval is a momentous step in unveiling our authentically Canadian gaming experience to the province. In just 60 days, PointsBet Canada’s unmatched speed and ease of use, unrivalled in-game betting capabilities, and unique local partnerships will bring Ontario sports fans a new, responsible, and dynamic form of sports betting and entertainment”, Vanderwel wrote.
“We are proud to be one of the first iGaming operators regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. It demonstrates the confidence that regulators have in our ability to deliver an innovative, safe, and responsible experience to Ontario consumers. We look forward to applying our expertise from Australia and the United States to help build a trusted, competitive, regulated iGaming market in Ontario, establishing an important foundation for our nation”, Cipriano added.
iGaming Ontario announced earlier this week that the province’s new online gaming market will launch April 4, as its joint efforts with the Government of the province and AGCO seek to establish a new online gaming market that will help protect consumers and provide more choice.
Private gaming operators registered with the AGCO that have executed an operating agreement with iGO can begin offering their games to players in Ontario as from the launching date. Companies will operate gaming sites in the market on behalf of the province in accordance with these agreements.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/02/04/61252-pointsbet–thescore-and-rivalry-become-ontario-39s-first-licensed-online-gaming-operators
