What we do: Lottery and gaming

The Criminal Code of Canada defines what types of gaming activities are legal in Canada, and the provinces are assigned responsibility to operate, license and regulate legal forms of gaming. The provincial Gaming Control Act, 1992 (GCA) and the regulation made under it form the legislative framework for regulating the gaming sector. Under the GCA, the Registrar is authorized to establish standards and requirements for the gaming sector.

The AGCO is responsible for administering the GCA. As the regulator of gaming, the AGCO’s goal is to ensure that gaming is provided in Ontario in ways that seek to minimize potential harm and that support a safe and responsible gaming environment. To help us achieve this goal, we established Standards and Terms and Conditions which registrants and licensees must follow.  

The AGCO regulates  various aspects of lottery and gaming in Ontario, including:  

• Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) lotteries. The AGCO regulates lottery games (e.g., lottery tickets) that are conducted and managed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
• Casino gaming. The AGCO regulates Ontario’s land-based casino locations that are conducted and managed by the OLG. Many of these casino locations have private operators who are registered with the AGCO.  
• Charitable gaming. The AGCO licenses and regulates charitable gaming events (such as bingo, raffles and the sale of break open tickets) conducted and managed by eligible charitable groups. 
• OLG gaming where a portion of profit is shared with charities. The OLG conducts and manages cGaming Centres where a portion of profits is shared with charities under an arrangement involving local municipalities, the gaming centre operators and the charities.  
• Internet gaming. The AGCO regulates Ontario’s internet gaming (“igaming”) market. iGaming Ontario, an AGCO subsidiary, is responsible for conducting and managing igaming in Ontario provided through private operators. OLG continues to be responsible for conducting and managing internet gaming offered on OLG.ca.    

The AGCO registers eligible persons and entities to operate, supply, sell or work in Ontario’s gaming sector. Depending on the sector, this may include operators, suppliers, retailers/sellers and gaming assistants. The AGCO also registers independent testing labs (ITLs) and independent integrity monitors.

The AGCO also has the authority to issue licences to eligible charitable organizations to conduct and manage certain types of gaming to raise money for their charitable purpose. Municipalities and some First Nations councils also have the authority to issue charitable lottery licences, subject to policies and guidance set out by the Registrar. 

The AGCO’s regulatory objective is to ensure that all gaming is operated within the law and with honesty and integrity and in the public interest, including:  

• inspecting and monitoring casinos, charitable gaming events/facilities and retail locations where OLG lottery products are sold for compliance  
• working closely with Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Casino Enforcement operations to support a safe and secure environment at all gaming sites  
• conducting audits, inspections and investigations to ensure that the games and centres are conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, standards and policies  
• investigating insider wins and suspicious wins  
• testing, approving and monitoring  gaming equipment, slot machines and gaming and lottery systems
• testing of electronic games by the AGCO Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch for compliance with the technical standards developed by the Registrar.  

Find more information about the AGCO’s role in ensuring public confidence in the integrity and fairness of electronic gaming equipment and systems in Ontario.  

Learn more about the AGCO’s compliance activities.  

The AGCO employs a standards-based approach to the regulation of gaming. Under the GCA, the Registrar is authorized to establish standards for the gaming sector. The objective of a standards-based regulatory model is to shift the focus from requiring licensees and registrants to comply with a specific set of rules or processes, towards the broader regulatory outcomes they are expected to achieve.  

For more information on the standards-based approach and to access the Registrar’s Standards for land-based gaming, internet gaming, and the lottery sector, see the Standards page.  

The AGCO is responsible for:

• establishing standards and requirements for the conduct, management and operation of the gaming industry, lottery schemes, gaming sites and related businesses
• administering, in partnership with municipalities and First Nations licensing authorities, the regulatory framework governing the issuance of charity lottery licences (e.g. bingo, raffle and break open ticket events)
• licensing games of chance at fairs and exhibitions
• development of the igaming regulatory framework that aims to achieve the Government of Ontario’s objectives of providing consumer choice, ensuring player protection, and supporting the growth of the regulated market in Ontario
• approving rules of play or changes to rules of play for games of chance at land-based casinos  
• outlining technical standards that are used by ITL’s to test and certify, among other things, online games available for Ontario players 

The AGCO takes responsible gambling seriously. The Registrar's Standards include a number of requirements intended to limit the harms of gaming to players, protect vulnerable people, and prevent access to gaming by youth.

For more information to find help and learn about managing the risks of gambling, see Safer gambling.