iGaming Ontario accused of withholding problem gambling study

The Ontario Government agency responsible for the province’s regulated online gambling market, iGaming Ontario, has been accused of withholding a study on problem gambling rates, according to an investigation by the Toronto Star.

Indeed, the newspaper reports that iGaming Ontario commissioned the study in the months before the province launched its regulated online gambling market in April 2022.

The agency had previously pledged to make the research public, saying it would establish a baseline for problem gambling in Ontario and help guide the development of its responsible gambling program.

Internal records obtained by the Toronto Star show that iGaming Ontario officials discussed a “gag order” after researchers reported problem gambling rates significantly higher than expected.

The redacted records, obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, reportedly show executives discussing the study’s findings and strategies to prevent leaks.

The agency flagged the findings as “deviating significantly from other research.” It later said the study’s methodology did not meet the standards required to inform policy development.

The study was reportedly withheld from the FOI disclosure, a decision the Toronto Star is appealing. According to the newspaper, iGaming Ontario cited potential harm to the province’s economic interests as one reason for withholding the records.

Last week, Atlantic Lottery Corporation and three other provincial lottery corporations asked the Supreme Court of Canada to reject Ontario’s proposed international online gambling model. Ontario wants players in the province to join international pools for games such as poker. The court heard the appeal on October 7 and reserved judgment.

Atlantic Lottery, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation and Loto-Québec are appellants. They argue that Ontario’s proposed sharing of player pools, known as pooled liquidity, goes beyond the Criminal Code provision allowing a province to conduct and manage a lottery scheme “in that province.”