Americas · AGCO + iGaming Ontario · Regulated market
Canada Gaming Licence
Canada means Ontario. There is no national licence — gambling is provincial — and Ontario is the one open, competitive market where private operators can go live legally, via AGCO registration plus an iGaming Ontario operating agreement. It is a mature, premium regulated market, not an offshore shortcut. For operators serious about Canadian players, Vantegris runs the AGCO/iGO process end to end.
overview
What is the Canada gaming licence?
Canada does not have a single national gambling licence — regulation is provincial, and most provinces run their gambling through a government monopoly (Loto-Québec in Quebec, BCLC's PlayNow in British Columbia, and so on). For a private operator, that leaves one real door: Ontario. Since April 2022 Ontario has run an open, competitive iGaming market where licensed private operators can legally offer online casino, sports betting and poker to Ontario players.
Getting in means two separate approvals, and you need both. First, registration with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) — the regulator — which involves background checks, technical assurance and a financial-position review, and costs roughly CA$100,000 per gaming site per year. Second, an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO), the commercial body (a stand-alone Crown agency since May 2025) that operators contract with to run in the market; iGO takes a share of gaming revenue. Realistically plan six to fourteen months end to end. This is a genuine, well-regulated market that now hosts 50-plus operators including the biggest global names — competitive and demanding, but the only compliant route to Canadian players at scale. We manage the AGCO registration, the iGO agreement and the compliance build.
advantages
Why operators pick Canada
The only compliant way for a private operator to serve Canadian (Ontario) players at scale.
An AGCO-registered operation carries real weight with banks, PSPs and partners.
A high-value English-speaking market with established player spend.
Well-documented AGCO standards and iGO commercial terms — no guesswork.
As other provinces study open models, an Ontario base positions you first.
head to head
Ontario vs. an offshore licence
| Criteria | Ontario | Offshore (e.g. Anjouan) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Onshore regulated market | Offshore permit |
| Approvals | AGCO + iGO (both) | Single licence |
| Cost | ~$100k/site/yr + rev share | Low, flat |
| Timeline | 6–14 months | Weeks |
| Market access | Legal Ontario access | Not market access |
| Best suited to | Serious operators targeting Canada | Speed/cost, global grey markets |
who it's for
Who the Canada gaming licence suits
requirements
Canada gaming licence requirements
step by step
How to get a Canada gaming licence
- Scope & readiness Confirm Ontario fit, entity structure and the AGCO/iGO requirements against your product. 2–4 weeks
- AGCO registration File the internet-gaming operator registration; manage background, technical and financial review. 4–10 months
- iGO agreement Negotiate and execute the iGaming Ontario operating agreement. 2–4 months
- Assurance & launch Complete technical assurance and go live under AGCO standards. On approval
- Ongoing compliance Maintain registration, reporting, responsible-gambling and revenue reporting to iGO. Ongoing
Not sure Canada is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Canada or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
pricing
How much does a Canada gaming licence cost?
- Entity & readiness review
- AGCO operator registration
- iGaming Ontario operating agreement
- Regulator liaison to launch
- Everything in Registration
- Technical assurance coordination
- Responsible-gambling & AML build
- Financial & background file preparation
- Everything in Turnkey
- Banking & PSP introductions
- Ongoing compliance & reporting
- Multi-province readiness advice
Budget the AGCO registration (~CA$100,000 per site per year), the iGaming Ontario revenue share, technical assurance and certification, plus the compliance build. This is a premium onshore market — it costs far more than an offshore permit, but it is the only legal route to Ontario players. We model the full economics before you commit.
obligations
Compliance obligations in Canada
technical standards
Technical & IT standards in Canada
after launch
After you go live in Canada
market access
Which markets a Canada licence reaches
An Ontario registration authorises online gambling for players physically in Ontario only. Other Canadian provinces run government monopolies and do not licence private operators. You geoblock the rest of Canada and any market you are not separately licensed in.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Canada gaming licence FAQ
Is there a national Canadian gambling licence?
No. Gambling in Canada is regulated provincially, and most provinces run a government monopoly (Loto-Québec, BCLC PlayNow, and others). Ontario is the only province with an open, competitive market where private operators can be licensed to serve players.
What do I need to operate in Ontario?
Two approvals, and you need both: registration with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the regulator, and an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO), the commercial Crown agency operators contract with. One without the other is not enough.
What does it cost?
AGCO registration is roughly CA$100,000 per gaming site per year, plus iGaming Ontario's share of gaming revenue, technical assurance and certification, and the compliance build. It is a premium onshore market — far more than an offshore permit.
How long does it take?
Realistically six to fourteen months: AGCO registration review runs four to ten months, and the iGO operating agreement a further two to four, plus preparation and technical assurance.
Can I use an Ontario licence to serve other provinces?
No. It authorises online gambling for players physically in Ontario only. Quebec and the other provinces run monopolies and do not licence private operators — you must geoblock them.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team · Last updated July 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
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