Casumo and PokerStars Join Ontario New iGaming Market

PokerStars and Casumo are the latest additions to Ontario’s newly regulated iGaming market segment, becoming licensed operators in the province.

A growing number of operators are joining Ontario’s regulated iGaming market. The new operating framework allows private operators to provide online gambling and sports betting services to Ontarians. In the latest move, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario gave the go-ahead to Casumo and PokerStars to join the local market and launch their premium gambling services to local punters.

Ontario’s wagering market for private operators was officially launched on 4 April 2022. To date, more than 20 operators have gone live in the province. Ontario liberalised its online gambling industry to eliminate the grey market and stop locals from pouring millions of dollars into unregulated offshore gambling websites.

New Additions to Ontario Online Gambling Market

After acquiring the necessary approvals from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Casumo and PokerStars can offer a broad selection of gambling services to locals. PokerStars is the holding company of TSG Interactive Canada. The provider’s licence kicked in on 8 June 2022 and will run through 7 June 2024.

Meanwhile, Casumo also received a licence to operate in Canada’s most populous province, paving the way for its iGaming expansion across Canada. Casumo is a Maltese digital casino and sportsbook provider. The company obtained its licence via its parent company, Pret Play. Its certification is valid until 7 June 2023.

Ontario’s open iGaming market is a result of years of planning by the provincial government to scale down the monopoly held by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Since its launch, several operators have secured the necessary licences. These include Unibet, theScore, BetRivers, LeoVegas, Bwin, 888, Bet365, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Betway, BetVictor, and PointsBet

DraftKings joined the new market later than its counterparts, with the company announcing its entry in May 2022. DraftKings sportsbook is now available, and local punters can place legal wagers on numerous sports events on the app. These include the 2022 NHL Playoffs, MLS matches, MLB games, and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.