GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 50 - August 2021

Here are some of the standards proposed and other considerations that would affect an affiliate: Not all “affiliates” need to be registered: • In an updated discussion paper titled “iGaming Eligibility” re- leased in May 2021, the AGCO has noted that many businesses or individuals in the iGaming industry may not need to register despite being considered “affiliates” such as arrangements with an internet gaming operator that pays independent websites a commission to send them traffic. • The May 2021 discussion paper notes that “[u]ltimately, it would be the activity that the company or individual is engaging in, not the category of business, that matters.” Not all game types will be allowed immediately: • For example, if you are a bingo affiliate, you may be cut out of this phase of Ontario’s iGaming Model. • The types of sports and leagues Ontarians will be allowed to bet on is still up in the air. If your content is devoted to Indian Championship Wrestling, other than there likely being a limited market in Ontario willing to bet on that, licensed sportsbooks may not be allowed to take action on those matches. • Esports may not be a sport in Ontario. Esports betting, while being heavily advocated for, is still up in the air. • No betting with cryptocurrencies or Blockchain casinos is allowed. If you are focusing your keyword strategy around crypto betting, this won’t work in Ontario’s regulated market. There will be limitations on bonuses and other incentivized marketing: • The Draft Standards propose either limits or a ban on incen- tivizing continued or higher value gaming and betting. • This may mean a ban or limitation on deposit match bonuses, free bets, free rolls, or other incentives. As a result, a keyword strategy around bonuses for Ontario legal casinos may not be a good strategy going forward. There will be an emphasis on player protection and responsible gaming: • RG standards will likely be enforced on affiliates who will likely have to comply with responsible gaming standards. • In fact, the Draft Standards specifically call out “Related Gaming Suppliers” as having to comply with the Ontario Standards. While not specifically set out yet, it is likely that some affiliates will be deemed RGS and therefore will have to comply. New Jersey North: • We advise our affiliate clients to be prepared to apply for an affiliate license in Ontario. • The AGCO has examined the New Jersey licens- ing model, and they will likely follow some of what they have seen south of the border. Canadians have been restricted to placing only parlay bets with provincial operators. The majority of punters favor bets on individual events . . . Legalization will boost the Canadian industry by allowing provincials that offer sports betting, and future Ontario licensees, to offer a wider array of betting options in order to compete with offshore operators . G P W A t i m e s . o r g 33