Toronto Star owner Torstar to launch online casino in 2021
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Torstar is entering the online gaming market.
The corporation announced Monday it intends to launch an online casino betting brand in 2021 pending approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
“As an Ontario-based media business and trusted brand for more than 128 years, we believe Torstar will provide a unique and responsible gaming brand that creates new jobs, offers growth for the Ontario economy, and generates new tax revenue to help support important programs in our province,” said Corey Goodman, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Torstar, in a statement.
At present, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is the only operator approved to offer online gambling in Ontario. But the Ontario government promised to open up the market to private operators in its most recent budget, enacting legislation that gives the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario the authority to issue licences to private companies.
“We want to ensure the new marketplace is well represented with a Canadian, Ontario-based gaming brand so that more of our players’ entertainment dollars stay in our province,” said Paul Rivett, Chair and co-owner of Torstar.
“Doing this as part of Torstar will help support the growth and expansion of quality community-based journalism.”
In a press release, Torstar announced it has assembled an “iGaming team” to head its expansion into the market. The team includes Gil Steinfeld, a marketing strategist for several U.S.-based gaming operators; Don Bourgeois, former General Counsel for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; and Jim Warren, president of Riseley Strategies Inc., a Toronto-based business consulting firm.
Rivett said the gaming site will include casino games and sports betting.
“We want to offer online gaming in a reasonable and responsible way,” he said. “It’s something that, if done responsibly, allows people to partake in their form of recreation and entertainment without making bad decisions.”
