Inspired obtains Ontario supplier licence

Inspired has received a gaming-related supplier licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and plans to launch its portfolio of igaming products in Ontario early in the second quarter of 2022. The gaming market in Ontario is to go live on 4 April.

The licence authorises Inspired to offer its games to AGCO-approved operators serving the province of Ontario. Inspired said it will have 25 games certified in time for the market launch, including leading titles such as Big Spin Bonus.

Claire Osborne, vice-president of interactive at Inspired, said, “Ontario’s igaming market officially opens to licensed operators on 4 April 2022 and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the newly regulated igaming market.

“With a population of nearly 15 million people, Ontario’s demographics compare favourably to states like New Jersey or Michigan where we already operate. We expect Ontario to present a significant market opportunity for us and we look forward to players in Ontario enjoying our games.”

Inspired already has a presence in Canada as it provides online casino content to Loto-Québec.

Inspired also has several partnerships in many regulated markets in the US, including New Jersey, Michigan and Connecticut.

AGCO has already issued licences to a number of operators ahead of the market opening in April. Hillside (Bet365) and Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel and Unibet are among those to have been given permits to operate. Supplier licences have been obtained by businesses including Play’n Go and High 5 Games.

The launch of the market next month will conclude a process that dates back to April 2019, when the province’s government announced plans to end Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s monopoly on igaming, opening up the market to private operators. It then moved forward with these plans in November 2020, with legislation introduced and passed in 2021.