The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has reached out to over a dozen traditional and digital media platforms, urging them to stop promoting unregulated online gambling and sports betting platforms. The AGCO’s main focus is on Bodog, an offshore operator that has been actively targeting Ontario residents with ads, despite lacking the necessary licenses to operate in the province.
Bodog Continues to Target Ontario Players Despite Regulatory Barriers
Bodog, operated by Il Nido Inc., has been heavily advertising on various media channels popular in Ontario, despite its lack of a legal license to operate. Although Bodog has stopped servicing customers in provinces such as Quebec and Nova Scotia, it continues to offer services to Ontarians. This ongoing advertising strategy by Bodog is concerning because it creates confusion and misleads players about the legitimacy of the platform.
According to the Gaming Control Act, 1992, all online gambling operators in Ontario must be licensed by the AGCO and enter into an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO) to legally operate in the province. The Ontario regulated gaming market ensures that operators meet stringent requirements for player protection, anti-money laundering protocols, and data privacy. However, Bodog operates outside these regulations, bypassing essential protections for consumers.
The Media’s Role in Protecting Consumers
The AGCO emphasizes that media platforms play a crucial role in safeguarding consumers by refusing to air advertisements from unlicensed operators like Bodog. By promoting unregulated gambling sites, media platforms inadvertently lend credibility to high-risk operators, leading to confusion among players about the legality and safety of the gambling options available to them.
Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, stated, “By refusing to carry advertisements for unregulated and high-risk operators like Bodog, media organizations can help protect Ontarians and support the long-term sustainability of Ontario’s regulated igaming market.” The AGCO is calling on media companies to take action by removing such ads, ensuring consumers can differentiate between regulated and unregulated platforms.
Ongoing Efforts and Legal Action Against Bodog
In addition to advocating for media companies to cease promoting Bodog, the AGCO is collaborating with local and international partners to combat the spread of unregulated gambling platforms. The Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) is currently pursuing legal action against Bodog for misleading advertising and violations of gaming regulations. A court hearing for the case is scheduled for May 26, 2025.
The AGCO continues to work on strategies to make unregulated gambling platforms less accessible to Ontarians. By strengthening cooperation with international partners, the AGCO is committed to ensuring that Ontarians are protected from the risks posed by unlicensed gambling operators.
The AGCO’s call for action is part of a broader effort to uphold the integrity of Ontario’s regulated gambling market and protect consumers. Working together with media platforms and stakeholders, the AGCO aims to reduce the risks posed by unregulated gambling and ensure a secure, fair environment for all players.
Source:
“AGCO calls on media platforms to step up the fight against unregulated online gambling sites, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario”, agco.ca, May 14, 2025.