Looking Back On The Ontario Online Gambling Launch
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There was a launch of regulated online gambling in Ontario in March. SBC acquired the Canadian Gaming Summit and its newest publication, Canadian gaming business.
Ontario launched regulated online gambling market on April 4. BetMGMsigned Connor McDavid as an ambassador. FanDuel linked up with Canadian sports network TSN. PlayCanada noted that the market created over 2,500 jobs. Kindred Group’s Canadian Country Manager Amanda Brewer predicted it would be a multi-billion dollar market in five years.
Strong NY sportsbook performance had expectations sky high for Ontario. The timing for the sports betting launch in Ontario wasn't ideal. New York launched during the NFL playoffs and immediately posted massive, record-setting numbers in the US. The revenue numbers at US sportsbooks began the seasonal slump that runs through the summer.
NCAA and NFL are considering sports betting. NCAA took a step towards embracing it with new rules. NFL suspended Calvin Ridley for the entire 2022-23 season for betting on games. AGA President Bill Miller wrote an open letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for prosecution of illegal offshore operators.
