Online Gaming

The accessibility of the Internet has transformed the gambling industry. As jurisdictions raced to capture gaming revenue through regulation, gambling sites have found creative ways to reach customers and process payments.

Current attitudes towards online gambling (and gambling in general) are considerably more liberal than they were in the past. The concept of local licenses has allowed gaming sites to reach customers in a way that is indisputably legal, but operators now must deal with the licensing and the compliance costs in numerous jurisdictions.

In Canada, because gaming is federally regulated, we have one set of rules that all provinces must follow. According to the Canadian Criminal Code, only provinces, not private operators, can lawfully conduct and manage Internet gaming in Canada. Almost all Canadian provinces offer some form of gaming online. Recently, the Ontario government has taken the position that the ability to “conduct and manage” Internet gaming means the right to license private operators.

In the United States, unlike Canada, each state has its own set of rules. If you want to be licensed in the United States, you have to apply for a license in each individual state.

Are you an established Internet gaming operator looking for more information about the legality of offering services to Canadians? Are you interested in obtaining a license in Ontario? Would you like general advice on matters related to payment processing, AML and other compliance obligations?

Are you a start-up trying to navigate your way through a heavily regulated industry? What documentation will you need? Where should you obtain a licence? How do you find payment processing? What are your compliance obligations?