The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has publicly urged over a dozen traditional and digital media outlets to cease advertising unregulated online gambling and sports betting platforms, specifically naming the offshore operator Bodog. This call to action aims to safeguard Ontario residents by reducing exposure to unlicensed sites that operate outside the province’s regulated gaming framework.
AGCO Targets Media to End Promotion of Unregulated Gambling
Bodog, managed by Caribbean-based Il Nido Inc., has been actively targeting players in Ontario despite lacking the necessary licenses to operate legally in the province. While the operator has blocked access to users in Quebec and Nova Scotia, where it has ceased operations, it continues to welcome Ontarians on its platform. The company aggressively advertises on various media channels popular in Ontario, thus exposing residents to unregulated gambling options.
Under Ontario’s Gaming Control Act, 1992, any online gambling operator must register with the AGCO and enter into an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO) to legally serve the province. Licensed operators must comply with strict requirements concerning game integrity, player protection, anti-money laundering measures, and information privacy. The presence and promotion of unregulated sites like Bodog threaten these protections and undermine the principles of a fair and secure regulated market.
By allowing advertisements for unlicensed platforms, media companies inadvertently lend a false sense of legitimacy to these high-risk operators. This creates confusion among consumers about the safety and legality of gambling options available to them. The AGCO highlights the media’s responsibility to act against such advertising, emphasizing that removing these ads will contribute to reducing the risks posed by unregulated gambling and support the long-term sustainability of Ontario’s regulated igaming market.
“The AGCO is committed to protecting Ontario players and ensuring they have the safest experience by playing on regulated igaming sites. By refusing to carry advertising from unregulated and high-risk operators like Bodog, media organizations can exemplify social responsibility and play an important role in protecting Ontarians and supporting Ontario’s regulated market,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar.
Bodog’s Continued Outreach Despite Regulatory Barriers
Concerns about consumer confusion linked to unregulated gambling advertising have been voiced by various industry figures in the past. When Bodog ceased operations in Nova Scotia, Patrick Daigle, then President of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, remarked that a lack of public awareness has “lent an air of legitimacy to these operators and misleads the public.” Similarly, Canadian Gaming Association CEO Paul Burns and Ipsos research experts pointed out during the Canadian Gaming Summit that many consumers, including frequent gamblers, remain unclear about the differences between regulated and unregulated gambling offerings, especially regarding advertising content.
Recent data shared by Ipsos through iGaming Ontario reveals that 16.3% of gamblers in Ontario exclusively use unregulated websites. Furthermore, over 20% of those who play on licensed operators also place bets on unregulated platforms. AGCO Chief Operating Officer Dave Phillips highlighted at the International Masters of Gaming Law conference that while the commission strives to “remove the oxygen” from the unregulated market, its authority to enforce measures remains limited. Nevertheless, the AGCO continues to collaborate with partners locally and internationally, developing a comprehensive regulatory strategy aimed at curbing access to unregulated gambling.
Raymond Kahnert, AGCO’s spokesperson, affirmed in January that efforts are ongoing to build on early successes in channeling players toward regulated operators. This includes coordinated, impactful regulatory activities designed to make unregulated gambling less accessible and attractive to both the industry and consumers.
Legal and Regulatory Measures Against Unlicensed Operators
In parallel with these regulatory efforts, legal action is being taken against Bodog. Several Canadian lottery organizations, represented by the Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC), have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent Bodog from operating or advertising in Manitoba. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries initiated the injunction in January, accusing Bodog of “false and misleading” advertising by portraying itself as a “trusted” online gaming operator across Canada. The coalition, comprising crown corporations from Manitoba, Atlantic Canada, Quebec, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, is committed to addressing illegal gambling through all legal avenues. A court hearing is set for May 26 to review the case.
The AGCO’s direct appeal to media platforms is part of a broader initiative to combat unregulated online gambling and protect public interests within Ontario’s regulated gaming environment.
Source:
AGCO calls on media platforms to step up the fight against unregulated online gambling sites, agco.ca, May 14, 2025
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