BetRivers Casino and Sportsbook to Go Live in Ontario on April 4

Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has been approved for iGaming in Ontario.

On Thursday, the company announced it has received its iGaming Operator Registration from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). After meeting the regulatory requirements, RSI plans to launch its award-winning BetRivers online casino and sportsbook in Ontario on April 4.

“The receipt of our registration in Ontario is an important milestone that demonstrates our commitment to operating only in legalized markets where we pay local taxes, and we are grateful for the trust of the AGCO,” Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of RSI, said in a media release.

“We are now one step closer to launching the BetRivers real-money online casino and sportsbook in Ontario and bringing our unique betting options, such as our innovative peer-to-peer slot tournaments or same game parlays, fast payouts, and award-winning customer service to the province’s millions of residents. Our free-to-play social gaming platform has experienced strong traction in Ontario to date, and we look forward to offering those players similarly entertaining and responsible experiences when our real-money offerings come April 4.”

Currently, RSI is live in Ontario with its free-to-play social gaming platform, CASINO4FUN. The game is accessible from BetRivers.ca and is powered by the same technology behind RSI’s real-money platforms.

Canada will be the first country to feature BetRivers’ real-money online casino and sportsbook. The platforms are currently available in the United States and Colombia. RSI also has access to the Mexican online casino and sports betting markets through a partnership with media conglomerate Grupo Multimedios. RSI expects to launch its online casino and mobile sportsbook in Canada during the second quarter of 2022.

RSI Latest Operator to Gain Access to Ontario

As April 4 nears, the AGCO has continued to grant iGaming licenses to operators. RSI became the seventh operator to gain approval from the AGCO and the second four days. On Monday, 888 Holdings announced it was granted an iGaming license.

“We are delighted to have been awarded a license by the AGCO and look forward to launching in the market when it officially opens,” Itai Pazner, CEO of 888 Holdings, said in a media release. “As a group, our focus is on strengthening our presence and offer to customers across key regulated markets. To that end, Ontario represents an attractive long-term growth opportunity for 888 and this is an extremely strategically important milestone for us.

“As we prepare for launch in the coming weeks, we are excited to bring all of 888’s leading products and games to new audiences across the province, providing our unique and differentiated experiences to players.”

The other operators to gain licenses include PointsBet Canada, Rivalry Corp., theScore Bet, Annexio Ltd. (LottoGo, a lottery gaming company with offices in Australia, Jersey, Isle of Man and London), NSUS Ltd. (online poker, a Caesars Interactive Entertainment Inc. Company).

“Consumers can be assured that companies who successfully enter the new Ontario market will have met rigorous standards of game and operator integrity, fairness, player protection and social responsibility, allowing all players to play with confidence,” Martha Otton, iGO Executive Director said in a media release.

“Prevention of underage access, ensuring compliance with applicable laws including anti-money laundering rules and regulations, and measures to enable more responsible gambling are just a few of the assurances consumers can expect in the new market as of April 4.”

In January, the AGCO announced April 4 as the start date for approved private gaming operators to begin offering their games to residents of Ontario. The province’s new gaming market is aimed at deterring gambling at illegal websites and protecting Ontarians and their money by giving them more options with a safe and regulated market.

“Today, most internet gaming by Ontarians takes place on websites not conducted and managed by the province,” Otton said. “Our new internet gaming market will give consumers enhanced entertainment choice, support the growth of a new, legal market and generate revenue that can help fund programs and services that benefit all of us.”