Kambi secures regulatory approval for new Ontario iGaming market

Kambi Group announced Monday it has secured regulatory approval by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), enabling the company to launch with partners from day one of the Ontario online market opening. 

Kambi received confirmation from the AGCO of its registration as a Gaming-Related Supplier, effective April 4, 2022, which is the date when regulated online single-event wagering launches in Canada’s most populous province. 

The registration allows Kambi to provide its sportsbook technology and services to operator partners as soon as the market launches next month, including its ice hockey product and expansive Bet Builder capability. 

In an official press release, Kristian Nylén, Kambi CEO and Co-Founder, spoke about this new market entrance and said: “I am delighted that Kambi has become one of the first sportsbook providers to obtain registration from the AGCO. This landmark achievement is a testament to Kambi’s expertise and exemplary track record in compliance, and we are excited to be in a position to deliver our market-leading sportsbook technology to our partners’ customers in Ontario from day one”. 

Less than a month away from Ontario’s online gaming market launch, the province regulator has issued new guidance warning operators in the process of securing a license to cease unregulated activities when the market opens on April 4.

AGCO first confirmed licensed operators were Penn National Gaming’s subsidiary theScore Bet, Rivalry Corp and PointsBet. FansUnite and Rush Street Interactive have recently joined the list. Israel-based 888 followed, right before GGPoker was granted a license to launch a WSOP.ca poker site in the province. 

So far, WSOP/GGPoker and 888 are the first two poker operators to receive such authorization. Bet365, LeoVegas, and suppliers Inspired and Play'n GO were the last ones to receive approvals for the market.

The launch of the new online gaming market in Ontario was announced by iGaming Ontario and AGCO, in a joint effort that seeks to establish a new 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. 

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) also recently announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), with the purpose of providing a framework for cooperation and coordination between both entities on betting and related integrity issues to protect the Ontario and wider Canadian market, sports, consumers and regulated betting operators from corrupt activities.