In late June, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced implementing Photo ID verification. This has been in response to changes made by the federal government to allow online casino gaming in Canada with player age verification and anti-money laundering measures in place.
This new regulation affects all of Canada’s iGaming market, but it is especially important for iGaming companies based in Ontario. Even if you have an iGaming license from another jurisdiction, you must comply with these regulations if you wish to offer your products to customers located in Ontario.
The question is, how will this change the iGaming market for business owners and players alike?
iGaming Regulations in Ontario
Following Bill C-218, Ontario created the iGaming Ontario (IGO) – a board to oversee and regulate the province’s gaming industry. It is also considered a new subsidiary of the pre-existing Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
The regulation is created to connect with operators and allow them to offer their games to Ontarians, so long as they comply with the regulations and agreements. The goals of IGO and AGCO are centered on customers’ protection, and it summarized as:
● Ensure integrity, responsible and safe play.
● Ensures players are within the acceptable age range.
● Private operators in Ontario must make sure they are compliant with the law, including following anti-money laundering guidelines and complying with other rules and regulations, like those that secure customers’ information.
Among many other things, Canada’s iGaming sector is also subject to Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA), which are governed and regulated by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC).
To ensure that strict laws are in place to allow players to participate without fear of any fraudulent activities, the most important regulation is that the player’s identity is verified to keep the game safe. In addition, operators must keep an internal Anti Money Laundering and Know Your Customer operating procedure that complies with the Canadian federal regulatory requirements, including different rules and regulations such as reporting suspicious activities, prohibiting dubious players and more.
Ontario has some of the strictest requirements for ID verification, ensuring that players can’t use fake names or identification. In addition, players will need to send in copies of their passport, driver’s license, utility bill, and video to prove that they’re not just an impersonator. AcuityTec offers options so that the operators can make sure to verify all supported documents issued by the government.
Compliant with Ontario’s iGaming Regulations
If you want to get in on some of the action, you better prepare yourself for a bumpy ride. The province’s deep and complex requirements are something that operators will have to meet, including meeting PCMLTFA and FINTRAC standards, just to make it through the door. And don’t forget about meeting all the iGaming Ontario-specific regulations too!
The fact is, the future of interactive gaming in Ontario is looking bright, as there are countless opportunities for growth and development. However, the key barriers here include meeting IGO’s AML and KYC program requirements. These regulations may require operators to make significant changes to their data storage, tracking, and verification systems.
The good news is there are many experience partners out there who have faced the same challenges before – a good example of this is how operators in Germany faced a similar demand. At first, they were challenged; however, companies that invested in the right professionals and experts now stand to reap the rewards!
Working with a AcuityTec’s identity verification service can take care of the important task of verifying your customer’s identities while staying within the boundaries set by Canada’s law.
Start Today with the Right Professionals
While many options are available for compliance within Ontario’s regulation, they all come with their costs and timeframes. However, with AcuityTec, you can trust that we can provide you with a quick and cost-effective solution to meet your regulatory requirements.
With the help of our AI-powered verification tool that quickly and securely verifies users’ identities while keeping all personal information protected – you can take care of all your customers’ needs for their AML compliance.
We can provide you with everything you need to comply with FINTRAC standards, including document verification, selfie and liveness detection, and a global team with decades of success in the iGaming industry.
If you’re an operator, it’s important to note that Photo ID Verification is just one of many security features offered by Acuitytec.
AcuityTec’s Identity Verification service offers:
- Face verification
- Address verification
- Document Verification
- Consent Verification
- AML Checks
The documents available for verification are:
- Passport
- ID Card
- Driving License
- Credit/Debit Card
Sign up for a free demo today to learn more about our Photo ID Verification service.
For more information about our solutions and services, visit our website or chat with our Risk Management professionals: www.acuitytec.com, email us at info@acuitytec.com or call us at +1-866-504-2170 for more information.
