The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke’s (MCK) legal dispute against the Ontario government’s legalization of online gambling was dismissed. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled against MCK’s case, which marks an important development in the debate that’s been surrounding Ontario’s online gambling regulations.
As of April 2022, online gambling and sports event betting have become legal and regulated. As a result, many off-shore casinos started focusing on the Canadian market. However, getting a license to operate in the country isn’t so easy. All casino operators who want to do business in Ontario need to complete AGCO’s registration process and get a signed operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.
The purpose of this partnership isn’t just to regulate the sector, as it also aims to protect players through measures such as responsible gambling tools. To pass the test and get a license to operate in the area, online casinos need to go through a strict registration procedure and comply with uncompromising regulatory requirements.
These two regulatory bodies have made it possible for Canadians to enjoy a rich selection of different online casinos with extensive game libraries. From no KYC to crypto casino sites, the casinos available in Canada provide options for everyone’s tastes and preferences.
The thing that MCK opposes—and quite vehemently—is C-218. This law is behind the legalization of new forms of Canada’s sports gambling, which began in June 2021. MCK had a problem with changes in Ontario’s gaming management rules, and they alleged illegality and unconstitutionality as the two main issues.
However, the Ontario Superior Court’s ruling confirmed that the model is compliant with the Criminal Code, leaving MCK on the losing side of the case. This ruling further affirmed the authority and validity of Ontario’s online gambling regulatory bodies, instilling trust in the industry and its integrity.
Still, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke’s concerns shouldn’t be disregarded. They have an extensive history in online gaming, which spans over the course of two decades. MCK grants gaming permits on behalf of the Mohawks of Kahnawake, so they have the right to express their opinions.
MCK believes that their substantial expertise is disregarded by Ontario’s regulatory shift. They are worried this will endanger some of the earnings for the Kahnawake community which are coming from gambling. In fact, the latest reports show that tribal gaming revenue has reached record highs, with the industry generating $41.9 billion in fiscal 2023.
Tribal gaming revenue was already high in 2022, as it was just $1 billion short of 2023’s number. Still, that represents a 2.4 increase in revenue, demonstrating that natives love to visit the best online casinos and frequently indulge in the numerous games they offer.
The court’s ruling might not have been in favor of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, but that isn’t going to stop them from advocating for their rights. Indigenous people deserve acknowledgment for their gaming prerogative. Likewise, they have just as many interests in the industry as any other nation, which deserve to be safeguarded.
This verdict further establishes the crucial role iGaming Ontario has in Canada’s gambling industry. Together with AGCO, it remains the key figure in the industry, supervising online casinos and handling different areas of the industry.
It’s in everyone’s best interest for iGaming Ontario to regulate the market and distribute licenses to reputable online casinos. The online gambling community is a huge source of revenue for Canada, and it has resulted in many new job openings. In fact, according to the Canadian Gaming Association reports, the industry has resulted in 135,000 new jobs. This puts it in the number eight spot worldwide for online gambling.
And while the verdict isn’t in MCK’s favor, it does benefit the players to an extent. Namely, they can continue to feel safe while gambling, as they have the assurance that all operators must comply with the highest standards. Thus, they guarantee clarity and transparency, as well as fairness and customer protection.
Online casinos in Ontario focus on providing diverse games that will be appealing to players, but iGaming Ontario is concentrated on responsible gambling practices. They continue to stress the importance of self-imposed limits and the usage of the self-exclusion option if the need arises. Responsible gambling practices are of crucial importance in tribal gaming, as well, as anyone can get addicted to games of luck.
