A push to allow Ontario sports betting and online gambling into peer-to-peer pools in other countries will see its days in court this week.
Earlier this year, the government in Ontario asked the Court of Appeal for Ontario for a ruling on the legality of provincial residents playing games, like daily fantasy sports and poker, against residents in other jurisdictions. Previous pools shut down when Ontario sports betting opened to commercial operators in 2022.
A hearing on the issue began Tuesday. The hope would be joining something akin to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, a coalition of US markets that allow poker pools between states.
“While Ontario would like to permit players participating in legal online gaming and sports betting to participate in games and betting involving players outside of Canada, there is uncertainty about whether doing so would be consistent with the requirements of the Criminal Code as they have been interpreted to date,” the Ontario government wrote in February.
Ontario government sees positives
The government believes Ontario bettors should be able to play DFS and poker against those outside of the province. Residents can already bet on horse racing that takes place outside of Canada.
While the government is largely in favor of the customer pools, government-owned lotteries are against the proposal.
DFS operators shut down paid contests in Ontario because online gambling regulations are written to require online gamblers to be located in the province.
Multi-state gaming coalition
The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement continues to expand, and operators are entering the jurisdictions. Earlier this month, BetMGM announced the merging of its poker pools in New Jersey and Michigan.
The MSIGA includes the following states:
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- West Virginia
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to enter MSIGA.
Ontario sports betting suits
Following the launch of commercial Ontario sports betting in 2022, multiple First Nations attempted to challenge its legality.
The Ontario Superior Court, however, dismissed the case.
Legislation to potentially alter the Canadian market is also ongoing. Parliament is considering a nationwide framework for online gambling advertising.
