Ontario Seeks to Allow Online Gamblers to Play with Non-Canadians
Proposal Could Enhance Options for Non-Canadian Online Gamblers
Premier Doug Ford is seeking a potentially historic ruling on whether Ontario’s online gaming platforms could legally allow gamblers to play with people outside Canada.
The case, initiated by an order-in-council from Ford’s cabinet, is scheduled to be heard in a Toronto courtroom this fall.
Given the money that’s regularly committed to fantasy sports betting and online casino play, the judgment has serious financial ramifications. Activities are currently limited to residents of the country.
“You could see, I think, a significant increase in the poker business in the province,” Paul Burns, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, said via CBC News.
Here’s more on the ruling that could affect non-Canadian online gamblers.
Open and Competitive Market a Draw
Online gaming companies contest that many poker players are leaving the province in search of unregulated offshore sites in search of higher stakes games.
Proponents of the plan believe this move could entice players back to regulated sites, thus boosting revenue. Including taxes, Ontario collected approximately $790 million from online gambling last year.
Roughly $51.7 billion was wagered on regulated online casino sites during the 2023-24 fiscal year according to figures from iGaming Ontario.
- That includes $9.7 billion on sports betting, compared to $1.6 billion on peer-to-peer poker. Those figures could continue to shift in coming years as the landscape develops.
“An open and competitive market that players want to participate in is the single biggest thing iGaming Ontario can do … to reduce the unregulated market and shift players into the regulated one,” a spokesperson from iGaming Ontario told CBC News.
According to a report by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, 86% of online gamblers are using regulated sites.
Prior to the launch of iGaming Ontario, estimates say that 70% of the activity occurred on unregulated sites.
The proposal includes additional measures to ensure the identity, age and eligibility of Ontarians participating in international pools.
Many European countries that have regulated online gambling allow international play in online poker, including England, Germany and Sweden.
Premier Doug Ford’s government is seeking a precedent-setting court ruling on whether Ontario’s regulated online gaming sites can legally allow players in the province to gamble with players outside Canada. https://t.co/fq2VGecBep .
— CBC News (@CBCNews) August 12, 2024
Potential Ramifications Worry Critics
Proponents contend that online poker and daily fantasy sports such as fantasy football work best with large player pools, which Ontario doesn’t necessarily offer.
However, some worry that Ontario’s plan might worsen the spread of illegal gambling in their area. Agencies from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic province have all voiced concerns about the ramifications of shifting the market to non-Canadian online gamblers.
The Canadian Gaming Association is of the mindset that expanding player pools will enhance consumer experiences. The court’s ruling could set a precedent for other provinces for how to handle gaming in their area.
- Ontario has greenlighted private companies to legally operate online gaming since 2022. However, other provinces continue to maintain tighter regulations when it comes to gaming.
“That’s the important part, trying to give more options to consumers and better product offering,” Burns said via CBC News.
Stay tuned for more updates on this potential ruling affecting non-Canadian online gamblers.
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