The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Canada, has recently granted an operating license to Wazdan, a word-class casino software developer and provider. The company is now officially free to enter Ontario as an operator or, to offer its range of quality games to other regulated operators around the province.
On April 4, 2022, the gates to Ontario’s iGaming and mobile sports betting market were opened. This has allowed the opportunity for new private operators and providers to gain entry. Ontario has managed to almost do away completely with illicit gambling activities by introducing a private market. A certain percentage of revenue is also able to stay within the province. This, in turn, is a major boost to the overall economy and GDP.
One of Many
On one hand, Wazdan is simply the latest amongst a growing multitude of operators and software providers in Ontario. On the other hand, the company has also taken its latest step into a potentially continued expansion over North America. The ambitious iGaming supplier is reportedly ready and eager to take on the challenge. First, though, it will begin with Ontario, where their games will soon become available to the public.
Michal Imiolek, the CEO of Wazdan, has expressed his delight at his company being given the chance to join Ontario’s lively, lucrative iGaming industry. He believes Ontario has the greatest potential out of any region on the continent. He also believes that the province and its operators will greatly benefit from his company. He is confident in their range of quality products as well as their many years of iGaming industry experience.
Including Ontario, Wazdan has now gained licenses to operate in 20 countries around the world. This includes several jurisdictions within the US, giving the company a sizeable head-start in its intended campaign in North America.
Over twenty operators, and a further twenty online casinos and betting sites, are now licensed by the AGCO in Ontario. Many more are undoubtedly submitting applications at this very moment. One company said to have its sights on Ontario is Playgon, which offers several highly popular live dealer casino games, such as “VegasLounge”.
The Prospects for Ontario
Recently, a review by Ontario’s Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk, was released regarding the iGaming market in the province. It stated that iGaming could bring in as much as CA$75 million in just three years of operation. The review breaks it down to around CA$18 million in the first fiscal year, and then CA$26 million and CA$31 million in the years following.
Ms. Lysyk has, however, also warned of potential legal issues which may arise at some point in the private market. This is due to the responsibility lying with operators rather than the provincial government. The Auditor-General has also more recently voiced her misgivings about the market going live without the issue being fully resolved. Representatives of the province have, however, given their full assurance that the private market has been specially designed to be safe for consumers and to fully abide by the law.
