According to the latest media reports, the conservative government in the Canadian province of Ontario is planning to open the online gambling market to private providers. There is currently a state monopoly in the region in the area of ​​online casinos, sports betting and the lottery - this is likely to change this year.

Ontario currently has a gambling monopoly. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is so far the only gaming provider that is allowed to offer its services on the Internet. It is done via the website https://www.casinosss.com/best-online-casinos-canada/, where you can find some slot machines and scratch cards in addition to the lotteries.

In the province's 2019 budget, the government planned to create a competitive online gambling market. It is designed to reflect consumer choice. At the same time, visitors to the new gambling websites are to be protected while they are playing.

The proposal currently relates to online casino games and sports betting. The government wants to work with key stakeholders to create reliable regulation and an engaging modern market. Regulation could be initiated this year.

Gambling laws go back to the 1980s

Canada is one of the most liberal and progressive countries in the world today. Ontario, with the capital Toronto, is one of the most important provinces for the country's economic performance.

The province of Ontario provides about 40% of the country's economic output. About a third of Canada's residents live there. In recent years, the province has had problems with property and rental prices around Toronto rising. There were also tax increases and an increase in energy costs. The growing dissatisfaction of the population is said to have led, according to some reports, to the fact that the conservative populist Doug Ford was able to prevail in the provincial elections. Because of his campaign promises to reduce eco-taxes and other measures, some Canadians also refer to him as "Trump light".

Gambling is provided in Ontario through 12 casinos and multiple lotteries. However, gambling laws have not changed since the 1980s. The law considers all gambling outside of the state casinos to be illegal. At that time, for understandable reasons, the regulation of online casinos or sports betting on the Internet was not considered - they did not exist and they were also not foreseeable.

In practice, the law from the 1980s has become unusable. Canadians play online with various foreign gambling providers without fear. According to official government figures, residents of the province of Ontario alone are expected to spend 500 million Canadian dollars (about 330 million euros) on online gambling.

While Canadians needn't fear prosecution, there have been some reports of millions in profits that have been paid out without any problems. Nevertheless, the government sees it as problematic, as the legal uncertainty means that neither player protection nor fairness in gambling can be guaranteed. In the event of a dispute, the players also have no opportunity to sue for winnings or seek other legal assistance.

Ban is not an option

The government sees the will of the population to want to use online gambling. Therefore, enforcing a total ban or state monopoly is not an option. One draws the consequences from the developments and would like to finally bring a reliable and modern gambling law on the way. The Conservative government's budget therefore states:

The province plans to create a competitive market for legal online gambling, which on the one hand reflects the preferences of the customers and on the other hand protects the players on the online gambling websites. This ensures that the citizens of Ontario have access to safe and legal online gambling providers.

Modernization of the sales channels for the lottery

In the lottery sector, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will no longer be the only one in the future. Rather, it is planning to mix state lotteries and private lottery providers.

Among other things, new jobs are to be created. They also want to create new business opportunities and ultimately give players better access to the lottery.

It should be possible to sell lottery tickets, for example, in selected supermarkets, but also at retailers. The number of lottery terminals of the state provider is also to be increased.

Furthermore, at the end of the day, it should be possible to purchase official lottery products (e.g. 6 out of 49 or Pro-Line) via smartphone. The private providers should also sell official lottery tickets from the OLG and not, for example, bets on them (as is the case with most foreign secondary lotteries).

American sports betting market particularly interesting

The liberalization should also apply to sports betting. Above all, the North American professional sport is in the focus of the efforts. In Canada, Ontario currently only allows bets on multiple events and parlay bets (the American equivalent of European combination bets - i.e. bets on more than one team and game).

Ice Hockey League Officer Gary Bettman was very positive about developments in Canada. He confirmed to the media:

With two NHL franchises in Ontario and two right on the border with the United States, the province is a very important market for the NHL. Accordingly, the NHL has no objection to the Ontario Province initiative to offer single bets when permitted.

Adam Silver is the NBA basketball officer and also supports the Ontario government's plans. For him, the rules for the protection of fans and the integrity of the sport are in the foreground:

If the government allowed betting on individual sporting events, the NBA would support the Province of Ontario by offering this type of betting, subject to appropriate safety precautions. The NBA has agreements with several licensed international gambling companies that can take these precautions into account and help create guidelines for Ontario.

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and Canadian Football League Commissioner Randy Ambrosie were also pleased with the developments.

The government also wants to work more closely with professional sports leagues and teams. For example, it's NBA franchises from the Toronto Raptors. The aim is to offer players a better gaming experience and more entertainment.

Liberalization at all levels

The government's new budget plan comprises 382 pages. The rules on alcohol consumption are also to be relaxed. They appeal to the residents to take responsibility and want to “treat adults like adults” in the future (the wording of the plan).

Up until now, casinos have not been allowed to serve free alcohol. It is now possible for the casinos to give out free drinks to the players - they may even advertise the free drinks in the future.

Existing casinos are also to be expanded and expanded. Modernizations are also the order of the day. Additional locations are also to be opened in Pickering and Peterborough. These changes are intended to improve the competitive conditions for mobile casinos. The casinos should be able to use their options just as effectively as the casinos in the USA, which are seen as the greatest competition.

In the area of ​​alcohol, there are plans to extend the serving times in restaurants. In addition, residents should be able to consume alcohol in public places in the future. In addition, the sale of beer and wine is to be made possible in significantly more locations.

Most of the residents are enthusiastic about the new freedoms they have gained and welcome the changes at all levels. In economic terms, the new measures are expected to generate billions in new income in the province. The new laws could therefore be financially worthwhile for the government.