What iGaming Ontario is
iGaming Ontario (iGO) is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It was created to conduct and manage Ontario's regulated internet-gaming market — the practical job of running the market and holding commercial agreements with operators — while the AGCO stays responsible for regulation, standards and registration.
The split matters. The AGCO is the regulator: it writes the Registrar's Standards, registers operators and enforces the rules. iGO is the market operator: private companies sign an operating agreement with iGO and register with the AGCO before they can legally take bets from players in the province. This is general information, not legal advice.
When the market launched
Ontario opened its open, competitive regulated iGaming market on 4 April 2022. It was the first — and, as of 2026, still the most established — Canadian province to move away from a pure government monopoly and allow multiple private operators to compete under a provincial framework. That single decision is why Ontario has a real, licensed affiliate and operator ecosystem while most other provinces still run a single Crown site.
How the market works
Two things run side by side in Ontario:
| Route | Who runs it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| iGaming Ontario market | Private operators + iGO/AGCO | Commercial brands that sign an operating agreement with iGO and register with the AGCO |
| PlayOLG | Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) | The separate, province-run casino and lottery site — a Crown-operated option, not part of the private market |
For a private brand to legally serve Ontario players it must do both steps: register with the AGCO and sign an agreement with iGaming Ontario. Only then is it a regulated Ontario operator. You can compare the sites available in the province on our Ontario online casinos page.
Player protections in the regulated market
The reason to prefer a regulated Ontario site over an offshore one comes down to enforceable protections. Registered operators must meet the AGCO's Registrar's Standards, which include:
- Identity and age verification (KYC) — operators must confirm you are who you say you are and that you are 19 or older before you play.
- Self-exclusion via GameSense — Ontario's responsible-gambling program is built into regulated sites, with deposit and time limits and the ability to self-exclude.
- Dispute processes — a defined complaints path, with the AGCO as the backstop, so you have provincial recourse if something goes wrong.
- Ban on certain features — for example, autoplay/auto-spin is not permitted, and there are rules on advertising and inducements.
- Geolocation — operators must confirm you are physically in Ontario, because the market is provincial.
19+ only. The legal age for the regulated Ontario market is 19. Operators must verify your age before you can deposit or play.
How it differs from offshore sites
Many casinos that accept Canadians are licensed offshore — commonly Curaçao, Anjouan, Malta, or the Mohawk Nation's Kahnawake Gaming Commission — and are not registered with the AGCO. They can legally exist, and plenty of Canadians use them, but they operate outside Ontario's provincial framework.
| Feature | Registered Ontario site | Offshore site |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | AGCO (provincial) | Offshore body (Curaçao, Anjouan, MGA, Kahnawake) |
| Provincial dispute recourse | Yes | No |
| GameSense / provincial self-exclusion | Built in | Operator's own tools only |
| Auto-spin / autoplay | Not permitted | Often allowed |
| Bonuses | More restricted (ad/inducement rules) | Typically larger |
The trade-off is straightforward: the regulated market gives you provincial oversight and dispute recourse; offshore sites often offer bigger bonuses and more games but with weaker consumer protection.
Getting help
If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential support is available 24/7 in Ontario through ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600. Regulated operators also build in GameSense tools and self-exclusion. Set a deposit limit before you start, and treat any money you gamble as entertainment spending, not income.
Frequently asked questions
What is iGaming Ontario?
iGaming Ontario (iGO) is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It was established to conduct and manage Ontario's regulated internet-gaming market, entering into commercial agreements with private operators while the AGCO handles regulation and registration. The AGCO sets the rules; iGO runs the market itself.
When did Ontario's regulated market launch?
Ontario's open, competitive iGaming market went live on 4 April 2022. It was the first province in Canada to allow private, commercial operators to offer online casino and sports betting under a provincial framework rather than only through a government-run site.
Is online gambling legal in Ontario?
Yes. Playing at a site that has registered with the AGCO and signed an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario is legal for adults aged 19 and over who are physically located in the province. Ontario also runs its own government site, PlayOLG. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between iGaming Ontario and PlayOLG?
PlayOLG is the online casino and lottery site run directly by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) — a Crown agency. iGaming Ontario is separate: it manages the market of private, commercial operators that register with the AGCO. PlayOLG is one government-run option; the iGO market is where the many private brands operate.
How do I know if an Ontario site is regulated?
Registered operators sign an agreement with iGaming Ontario and register with the AGCO. Regulated sites display their iGaming Ontario status, and iGO publishes the list of operators approved to serve the Ontario market. If a site accepts Ontario players but is not on that list, it is operating offshore rather than under the provincial framework.
Where can I get help for problem gambling in Ontario?
ConnexOntario offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Regulated Ontario operators also integrate GameSense tools and a province-wide self-exclusion program. If gambling stops being fun, reach out — help is available any time.