The strategy of the Ontario government, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario (iGO) is to make consumer protection a top priority as the Ontario sports betting market prepares to launch.
The announcement by the Responsible Gambling Council (an independent non-profit organization) that its RG Check Accreditation Program has been embedded into the requirements for all iGaming operators entering the Ontario market legally is another illustration of that.
The Ontario iGaming market will go live on April 4 for regulated and competitive online sports betting and online casinos.
The RG Check program is already used by land-based casinos in Ontario. RG Check was developed by the council in 2021, working with policy makers, operators, players and people living gambling addictions and those who had experienced gambling harm, according to a news release.
‘A Fair And Transparent Process’
The RG Check accreditation process helps gambling venues and Ontario online casino sites evaluate, monitor and manage all aspects of their responsible gambling operations, the release said.
The program is comprised of nine standards and 48 criteria that measures the effectiveness and scope of an operators’ RG programming, including assisting players who may be experiencing harm from gambling, according to the release.
“The RG Check team is excited to make a contribution to a comprehensive RG framework with clear, evidence-based and impactful player protection measures that minimize potential harms associated with gambling" Tracy Parker, director of standards and accreditation for RGC, said in the release. "A consistent accreditation program for all operators will help ensure a common approach to monitoring and assessment and provide a fair and transparent process. The collaborative approach of RG Check will help support continuous improvement in Ontario."
Rush Street Names Canada Managing Director
Rush Street Interactive Inc., now licensed in Ontario for its BetRivers Ontario online casino and sports betting brand, has named Bruce Caughill as its managing director in Canada.
Caughill joins RSI from his position as chief legal officer at the AGCO, where he played a key role in developing the legislative framework and policy infrastructure for Ontario’s legal regulated iGaming industry.
With more than 20 years of experience in Canada’s commercial gaming industry, Caughill will provide leadership and support in commercial and administrative activities as the company grows in Canada, a news release said.
NorthStar Gaming Adds Rod Black
The sports-betting world keeps scooping up television sports personalities. Last fall, Sportsnet brought back Cabral “Cabbie” Richards, who had been working in Las Vegas with Bleacher Report, to become its executive producer of sports betting content. After leaving TSN, Dan O’Toole signed on as a Bet365 ambassador.
Now long-time sports broadcaster Rod Black has joined NorthStar Gaming as a host and brand ambassador for NorthStar Bets.
Black spent most of his career at Bell Media where he was a play-by-play announcer for the CFL, Toronto Blue Jays and host of Toronto Raptors broadcasts. He has provided commentary and play-by-play for various events including The Masters, RBC Canadian Open and five Olympic Games.
Part of Black’s new role with NorthStar Bets will be to provide sports commentary and hosting duties across the platform’s social channels and in-app content.
