A Pioneer in Canada
Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, announced a comprehensive review of the province’s gambling sector during a keynote address at the Canadian Gaming Summit on Thursday.
The move signals a major shift in how the province will oversee both land-based and online gambling. Officials are seeking to improve industry performance, better protect customers, and maximise economic returns.
Calling Ontario a “pioneer” in the sector, Cho gave the province’s gambling industry a B+ grade and emphasised his goal to bring it to an A. He outlined the core objectives of the review at the summit. They aim to improve regulatory efficiency, enhance the industry’s contribution to Ontario’s economy, and foster stronger relationships between brick-and-mortar casinos and the online market.
Ontario has undergone a rapid transformation in its gambling landscape since the introduction of single-event sports betting in 2021 and the subsequent launch of regulated online gambling the following year. Legal commercial gambling has turned the province into a competitive gambling market.
Evolving Appetites
Cho stated that Ontario has succeeded in balancing profit while maintaining safe and responsible play. However, he also acknowledged that gaming appetites continue to evolve and that the government must remain agile in response.
The details of the spending review are yet to be finalised, but Cho highlighted that land-based gaming will remain a key focus. He pointed to a greater need for integration between physical and online casinos. He suggested that Ontario’s self-exclusion system, which is being developed by iGaming Ontario (iGO), should work across all possible gambling channels.
The minister acknowledged that adapting to these shifts has not been seamless, saying the market is only beginning to find equilibrium between physical and online casinos. He emphasised the importance of closely monitoring the balance to ensure that both sectors continue to thrive.
New Directions
The iGO became an independent agency earlier this year under the stewardship of Cho, who formally separated it from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The move was intended to enhance both agencies’ ability to respond quickly to the evolving landscape. They both maintain a collaborative relationship with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which is responsible for land-based gaming.
The iGO Chair, Heidi Reinhart, echoed Cho’s optimism about the new direction for the agencies. She also revealed that iGO will soon appoint a new CEO, following the retirement of founding leader, Martha Otton.
Cho went on to say that the province’s approach to regulation would be guided by industry expertise rather than political whims. He warned against overregulation, noting that excessive red tape could stifle innovation and growth in a constantly changing sector.
