Ontario iGaming Licence

Ontario iGaming registration types

Ontario’s framework has two registration classes. In most cases, companies entering the market need one or the other, while some corporate groups need both.

iGaming operator registration

First, this class is for the company that runs the player-facing brand: an online casino, a sportsbook, a poker room, or a combination. The operator holds the AGCO registration, signs the operating agreement with iGaming Ontario, and remains responsible for compliance with the Registrar’s Standards on its platform.

In addition, an operator registration covers only the brands and sites named in the application. Therefore, if you plan to run more than one distinct gaming site, each site needs its own operator registration and its own annual fee. To decide this, the AGCO treats sites as distinct based on practical factors, such as separate account credentials, separate e-wallets, distinct branding, or operation by different people. As a result, a single registration does not let you launch an unlimited number of unrelated brands.

Gaming-related supplier registration

By contrast, this class is for companies that supply goods or services affecting the outcome or integrity of gaming, such as platform providers, game studios, live-dealer studios, and certain payment and data services. Suppliers register with the AGCO in their own class, separately from operators. However, a supplier registration does not authorise you to run a player-facing brand. In both cases, key individuals such as directors and significant owners are assessed as part of the registration.

What an Ontario registration covers

In practice, an operator registration authorises online casino, sportsbook, and poker products offered to players in Ontario under the registered brands. On the other hand, it does not authorise land-based gaming, lottery products, or OLG.ca, which the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation runs separately. Similarly, it does not grant access to players in other provinces or countries. Finally, every product must meet the Registrar’s Standards and use games and platforms certified by an Independent Testing Laboratory.

Licensing Requirements

Ontario iGaming licence requirements

To begin, the AGCO assesses each applicant on eligibility, integrity, and the ability to meet its standards. Specifically, an operator application includes:

• The operator application form, submitted through the iAGCO portal
• A gap analysis against the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming
• Personal disclosure forms for each key person, and an entity disclosure form for the company
• Disclosure of anyone holding a 5% or greater interest in the operator
• Incorporation records, share ownership, and financial statements
• An organizational structure diagram, a supplier list, and a gaming site diagram
• A criminal background check for any key person whose primary residence is outside Canada
• Platform technology tested and certified by a registered Independent Testing Laboratory
• The annual registration fee

What the AGCO Registrar’s Standards require

Once registered, an operator must run its platform in line with the AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. In particular, the standards concentrate on five areas the AGCO protects:

1. Responsible gambling. Players must have access to support tools, deposit and time limits, and self-exclusion.
2. Game integrity. Games must operate fairly and as designed, verified by independent testing.
3. Preventing the infiltration of crime. Operators must guard against money laundering and other criminal activity.
4. Preventing access by minors. Only players aged 19 or older may register and play.
5. Protection of personal information. Player data must be handled securely.

Responsible gambling and player protection

Because responsible gambling is a core focus area, operators build it into the platform. For instance, requirements include age and identity verification so only players aged 19 and over can register, deposit and time limit tools, straightforward access to self-exclusion, and controls that identify and respond to signs of harm. Moreover, these controls run continuously, not only at sign-up.

Advertising and inducement rules

In addition, Ontario applies specific standards to gambling advertising. Since 2024, for example, operators may not use athletes in advertising, and the use of celebrities who could appeal to minors is restricted. Furthermore, advertising bonuses and inducements to the general public is limited. As a result, these rules apply to every registered operator. For the detail, see the Ontario iGaming advertising rules.

Key persons and corporate requirements

Beyond the company itself, the AGCO assesses the people behind the operator. In practice, directors, officers, and significant owners are treated as key persons and complete personal disclosures covering their background, finances, and any gaming history. In addition, anyone with a 5% or greater interest in the operator is disclosed. Finally, the company provides its corporate structure, ownership chain, and recent financial statements so the AGCO can confirm the operator is financially sound.

The application process

1. First, prepare the application: forms, the Registrar’s Standards gap analysis, disclosure forms, and the fee.
2. Next, create an iAGCO account and submit the application through the iAGCO portal.
3. Then the AGCO reviews the eligibility and integrity of the operator, its key persons, and its controls.
4. After that, put controls in place that meet the Registrar’s Standards, complete the notification matrix training, configure regulatory reporting, and have platform technology certified by a registered Independent Testing Laboratory.
5. Next, sign the operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.
6. Finally, launch in the regulated market.

How long registration takes

Although the AGCO does not publish a fixed processing time, registration generally runs across several months in practice. Ultimately, the timeline depends on how complete the application is and how ready the operator’s controls are. For example, a complete application with certified technology and Registrar’s Standards controls already in place moves faster than one that needs follow-up. Afterward, the iGaming Ontario operating agreement is signed once the AGCO clears the operator.

Company Requirements

Ontario iGaming licence cost and ongoing obligations

To begin, the direct cost of the licence has two parts: the annual AGCO registration fee, and the revenue share paid to the province through iGaming Ontario.

First, the registration fee applies per site, so an operator running multiple distinct sites pays the fee for each. Our full breakdown of the Ontario iGaming licence cost sets out every registration class, the per-person fees, and the investigation costs the Registrar can recover. Second, the 20% revenue share is a contractual payment to iGaming Ontario, not a tax. For how that share sits alongside GST, HST and corporate income tax, see our guide to the Ontario iGaming tax rules. In other words, it is calculated on gross gaming revenue, which is player losses after winnings are paid.

In addition, beyond the licence itself, budget for the wider cost of entering the market: incorporation and corporate maintenance, platform and game certification, the compliance function, banking, legal support, and integration work. Naturally, these vary by operator and are separate from the AGCO fee.

The iGaming Ontario operating agreement

Alongside the registration, the operating agreement is the commercial contract between the operator and iGaming Ontario. Specifically, it sets the 20% revenue share, the reporting and payment schedule, the standards the operator agrees to maintain, and the terms under which iGaming Ontario can act if an operator falls short. Because gross gaming revenue is the basis for the share, iGaming Ontario holds that revenue until it pays operators their agreed portion. As a result, an operator needs both approvals in good standing to keep trading.

Payments, AML, and reporting

In practice, operators integrate mainstream payment methods and apply anti-money laundering controls in line with iGaming Ontario’s program, such as customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and record keeping. Meanwhile, regulatory reporting to the AGCO runs continuously through the iAGCO portal. In addition, iGaming Ontario operates a dispute-resolution process that operators take part in when players raise unresolved complaints.

Ongoing obligations after registration

Finally, registration is the start of the relationship, not the end. For that reason, the AGCO monitors compliance and enforces the standards with progressive measures that range from warnings to monetary penalties, suspension, or revocation of registration. Moreover, registration is renewed annually, and the operator must keep meeting the Registrar’s Standards throughout the term. The standards themselves, the independently audited Control Activity Matrix and the 2026 self-exclusion changes are set out in our guide to the Ontario Registrar’s Standards.

Benefits

Why operators register in Ontario

The Ontario market in numbers

Ontario runs a large, established regulated online gaming market that has grown every year since it opened in April 2022. Specifically, by 2025 the market had around 48 registered operators running roughly 82 gaming sites. In addition, players wagered close to CAD 98 billion over the year, while operators produced about CAD 4 billion in gross gaming revenue. Overall, cumulative operator revenue since launch has passed CAD 10 billion, based on iGaming Ontario market performance reporting. The fiscal-year totals, product split and operator share are set out in our breakdown of Ontario iGaming revenue.

What registration gives you

For an operator, registration turns Ontario into a legal, bankable market. In particular, it offers:

• Legal access to a large and growing regulated player base
• A clear operating agreement and defined revenue share with iGaming Ontario
• Published standards for responsible gambling, game integrity, and player protection
• Access to mainstream payment providers and banking that support a fully regulated operation
• An established framework already used by many operators in the sector

Get started in Ontario

DD Consultus supports operators through the full Ontario process, including AGCO registration, disclosure preparation, Independent Testing Laboratory coordination, and the iGaming Ontario operating agreement. To begin, book a free consultation, or contact contact@licencegaming.com or +356 99408536.