While Ontario counts down until the launch of its regulated online gambling, selected iGaming Ontario online casinos can’t advertise any signup promos.
The much-anticipated launch of licensed online casinos in Ontario is a month away. However, the licensed gambling operators have hit a significant hurdle, with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario refusing to allow them to advertise any signup promos, such as welcome bonuses.
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province. Subsequently, introducing a regulated iGaming market has attracted a flurry of interest from industry-leading operators looking to tap into the new segment. Previously, the province announced that the new system would kick off on 4 April 2022, and selected operators are putting the final touches to their online offerings.
New Operators Urged to be Creative
The two gambling industry regulators in the province, AGCO and iGaming Ontario, have prohibited operators from advertising signup promos such as welcome bonuses and risk-free bets. The CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, Paul Burns, recently shed some light on how the marketing of online gambling will work in the province.
Burns indicated that special promotions could be put on operator websites and offered to players on their databases. However, such marketing cannot be advertised. He added that online casinos licensed in the province also can’t promote such limited time offers.
Additionally, Burns commented that, like this, the competition in Ontario would be entirely based on operators’ services and not on who offers the most significant welcome bonus. In his words, it will be very different from what gamblers have seen in the US, and licensed operators will have to get creative to attract new customers.
Since signup bonuses cannot be advertised in the province, many operators have already adapted to the new circumstances. For example, BetRivers Canada offers the option to try out their casino and sportsbook with play-for-fun options. On the other hand, PointsBet Canada has reached out to local stars, the Trailer Park Boys, to serve as their brand ambassadors.
