iGaming Ontario on Its Own After AGCO Split Confirmed

Ontario has formally established iGaming Ontario as a standalone regulatory agency in May 2025 to strengthen governance and resolve conflicts of interest, solidifying its leadership role in Canada’s growing iGaming industry.

The last twelve months have seen a number of significant changes across the Canadian iGaming industry. New legislation has been introduced in certain areas, as the sector continues to adapt to global changes.

Since opening its doors to online gambling in 2022, the Province of Ontario has been at the forefront of many industry developments. In May of 2025, it was confirmed that the agency, iGaming Ontario, had been officially established to oversee the gambling industry here.

Details of the Deal

The news comes following a whole series of legislative changes passed by the Building Ontario for You Act of 2024. As part of the new laws, the iGaming Ontario Act came into effect from Monday, May 12, 2025.

The new legislation includes the confirmation that iGaming Ontario would now act as a standalone agency, dealing with the licensing and regulation of casino and sportsbook operators looking to set up in business here. It’s a small but very significant change to the way that the gambling industry operates in Ontario.

A Brief History of iGaming Ontario

iGaming Ontario was incepted in July 2021, ahead of the Province’s legalisation of online gambling. iGO remained part of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) until May 11, 2025.

The two entities worked together from then onwards to oversee the fledgling online gambling industry in the Province. The system worked to an extent, but there was a key flaw that the iGaming Ontario Act needed to address.

The Need for Change

The Government of Ontario initiated the structural change in response to a perceived conflict of interest between iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). This reorganization followed concerns highlighted by Ontario’s Auditor General.

A representative from the office of Member of Provincial Parliament Doug Downey confirmed the development in a conversation with Canadian Gaming Business.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will continue to play a role in the landscape. From May 12th onwards, it will be chiefly responsible for regulating the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Meanwhile, iGaming Ontario will now be out on its own, focusing on the private sector.

From Strength to Strength

While there has been a need for regulation, the iGaming landscape in Ontario remains healthy. Since legalisation in 2022, revenue figures have continued to increase, and future projections show no signs of slowing down.

While it was late to the party, Ontario has delivered something of a blueprint that other Canadian Provinces are set to follow. As an official government press release stated:

“Ontario has been leading the way in Canada by establishing a strong, competitive, and responsible gaming market that protects customers, sets clear rules, and ensures a level playing field for businesses.”

With iGaming Ontario now established as its own entity, Ontario will continue to develop a path for other Provinces to learn from moving forward.