Ontario Casino Launch - Key Software Developers Could Exit

Evolution Group and their leading assets have reportedly been pulled from potentially working with Ontario casino sites ahead of the impending regulation on April 4, 2022, according to inside sources.

Four Canadian provinces have been blocked in total by the Evolution Group, including "Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec". Operators are now on high alert and Evolution Gaming Casinos Canada could be few and far between come launch date.

Ontario Casino Sites Will Suffer

The news would present a major blow for both players in these provinces, with the Evolution Group's brands also including industry leaders such as Evolution, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Ezugi and Big Time Gaming providing top-class online gaming services worldwide.

It would also present issues for a number of leading casino brands preparing to enter the market. "(This is) the same for everyone," confirmed a source for a leading online operator who is bracing for Ontario's regulation in April.

CasinoSource has reached out to the Evolution Group for comment.

Ontario Live Casinos in Turmoil?

Should this be confirmed, it would mean leading gambling operators who are all vying for an Ontario gaming license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), or more specifically their subsidiary called iGaming Ontario, would not be able to avail of leading casino software services.

The groups flagship brand Evolution boasts one of the world's most impressive live casino offerings, with 700 plus live dealer tables and game shows operating across 15 languages. Meanwhile, NetEnt has been a premium supplier of all types of casino games including slots, blackjack, and roulette having entered the market in 1996.

Evolution Deal With PlayOLG Stands

The news will come as a shock after Evolution announced last October that it had gone live with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation - the sole legal online gambling platform at the time under the PlayOLG brand. However, it's believed that Evolution will continue its partnership with OLG.

Dave Pridmore, OLG’s Chief Digital and Strategy Officer, said at the time, "OLG is a leader in the digital gaming space, and we’re thrilled to be able to work with Evolution to extend our online game offering."

"We want to provide the best live dealer experience available, and we are confident that our players will love the quality and the choice of these games, playing at tables with other Canadian players and game presenters."

This is a developing news story and will be updated as and when necessary.