iGaming Ontario Separates from AGCO

A major structural shift has just redefined the regulatory landscape of Ontario’s online gambling sector.

As of May 12, 2025, iGaming Ontario (iGO) has officially separated from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and is now a standalone agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

This move enhances Ontario’s gaming governance, removes potential conflicts of interest, and strengthens the province’s reputation as a global iGaming leader.

Let’s break down what this separation means, why it matters for operators and players, and what’s next for iGaming Ontario.

Ontario’s iGaming Sector Enters New Era as iGO Separates from AGCO

3 Key Points

• iGO is now an independent public agency, no longer a subsidiary of AGCO.
• The split was driven by governance improvements and conflict-of-interest concerns raised by Ontario’s Auditor General.
• The iGaming Ontario Act aims to future-proof the province’s gaming framework and maintain its market leadership in Canada.

Ontario’s iGaming Framework Enters a New Chapter

On Monday, May 12, 2025, the iGaming Ontario Act came into full effect, officially making iGaming Ontario a separate legal entity from the AGCO.

Previously operating as a subsidiary of the AGCO since its launch in July 2021, iGO was responsible for managing commercial iGaming operators, while AGCO retained regulatory oversight for both iGO-run and OLG-run platforms.

Under the new structure, iGO is fully accountable to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, reinforcing its autonomy in managing licensing agreements, operator relationships, and player protection initiatives.

Addressing Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

One of the main reasons for this structural overhaul was a conflict-of-interest concern raised by the Ontario Auditor General.

The previous arrangement—where AGCO regulated both iGO’s operations and those of the government-run Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)—created a perceived imbalance in market governance.

In a statement provided to Gamingo, the Ministry of the Attorney General explained:

“This change strengthens iGO’s governance and accountability structure and helps address concerns around regulatory impartiality.”

This separation now ensures iGO’s neutrality as a managing agency for private iGaming operators, while AGCO remains the independent regulator for all gaming activities in Ontario.

Leadership Transition Ahead

The structural change also coincides with an executive transition at iGO.
Martha Otton, the agency’s founding Executive Director, postponed her retirement to March 2025, allowing additional time to find a qualified successor.

The new executive will assume the role of President and CEO, reflecting iGO’s elevated status as an autonomous agency.
The iGO board, chaired by Heidi Reinhart, is actively recruiting leadership capable of navigating Ontario’s maturing iGaming ecosystem.

Why This Matters for the Market

Ontario remains the only Canadian province with a fully regulated commercial iGaming market, featuring over 40 licensed operators and growing.

This structural evolution supports:

• Increased transparency and independence in regulatory operations
• More competitive market conditions for private operators
• Enhanced international credibility for licensing and governance
• A clear delineation of roles between market manager (iGO) and regulator (AGCO)

By decoupling the two entities, Ontario is solidifying its role as a blueprint for future regulatory models across North America.

The official separation of iGaming Ontario from AGCO under the iGaming Ontario Act marks a milestone for the province’s online gambling sector.

This move addresses longstanding governance concerns, strengthens institutional integrity, and positions Ontario for sustained growth and leadership in the global iGaming arena.

As iGO begins its new chapter with full independence and prepares for new leadership, operators and investors can expect a more transparent, accountable, and innovation-driven regulatory environment.

Ontario isn’t just building Canada’s most advanced iGaming market—it’s setting a standard for the world to follow.