Online betting and gaming company 888 Holdings announced Thursday it has become one of the first operators to have been awarded an iGaming license by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
The newly regulated Ontario gaming market is set to launch on April 4, with the company already green-lit to offer its casino, sport and poker products to players located across the province, all powered by its proprietary technology.
888 described this approval as “an important step in 888’s growth strategy, which focuses on expansion in attractive regulated markets, with Ontario representing an exciting long-term growth opportunity. 888 has strong brand awareness in Ontario and is looking forward to leverage its full marketing expertise and focus on product leadership to provide exciting and locally relevant experiences for players”.
Israel-based 888 now holds licenses in 9 locally regulated markets including seven states in the US, with revenue from locally regulated and taxed markets representing 74% of 2021 revenue.
In an official press release, Itai Pazner, CEO of 888 Holdings Plc, spoke about this new milestone and said: “We are delighted to have been awarded a licence by the AGCO and look forward to launching in the market when it officially opens. As a Group, our focus is on strengthening our presence and offer to customers across key regulated markets. To that end, Ontario represents an attractive long-term growth opportunity for 888 and this is an extremely strategically important milestone for us. As we prepare for launch in the coming weeks, we are excited to bring all of 888’s leading products and games to new audiences across the province, providing our unique and differentiated experiences to players.”
iGaming Ontario announced late January that the province’s new online gaming market would be available in April, as its joint efforts with the Government of the province and AGCO seek to estbalish a new market that will help protect consumers and provide more choice.
Ontario’s first licensed operators were confirmed early February. Penn National Gaming’s theScore Bet, Rivalry Corp. and PointsBet were the first to get their applications approved.
Private gaming operators registered with the AGCO that have executed an operating agreement with iGO can begin offering their games to players in the province as from the launching date. Companies will operate gaming sites in the market on behalf of the province in accordance with these agreements.
