Key Takeaways
- A new free-to-use tool from the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) allows people to check whether an iGaming site is licensed in their region.
- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), an IAGR member, wants Ontarians to know whether the platforms they use are regulated and controlled.
- Canadian authorities have repeatedly urged consumer caution as regulators try to crack down on active unlicensed sites.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) announced the launch of a new website that allows people to check whether an iGaming site is licensed in regions including several Canadian provinces.
The free licensing information tool, CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, is intended to help consumers ensure they are using a site that is approved and regulated, as well as to assist regulators in monitoring markets and identifying unlicensed online gambling sites.
Users can select an IAGR member jurisdiction such as Ontario, enter a gambling site’s URL, and check available licensing information using regulatory records and other verified public sources.
Visibility does not equal safety, warns IAGR
“People often mistake visibility for trust,” said IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally. “A professional-looking website or a recognizable name can give consumers confidence without knowing whether the site is properly licensed in that location. We want consumers to routinely check the licensing status of a site before opening an account or making a deposit.”
IAGR unveiled the website as part of its first Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (IGAW), running from Nov. 9–13, 2026, as the first internationally coordinated effort to raise consumer awareness of the risks of unlicensed online gambling.
“The reach of online gambling makes this a shared challenge for regulators,” added IAGR President Ben Haden. “By coordinating our consumer communications, we can help more people understand why local licensing matters and where to find reliable information before they engage with an operator.”
Which Canadian authorities are members of IAGR?
IAGR’s membership comprises prominent gambling regulatory bodies worldwide, including:
- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
- British Columbia’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB)
- The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA)
- The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB)
- The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
In both British Columbia and Manitoba, the only government-authorized iGaming platform is the PlayNow site owned by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). In contrast, Ontario’s regulated commercial iGaming market hosts almost 50 operators running more than 80 licensed sites.
In a statement, the AGCO said that it supports IAGR’s initiatives “in response to the risks and deceptive nature of unregulated gambling websites and apps.”
“Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear standards that protect players, from responsible gaming safeguards to strong anti-money laundering controls,” said AGCO CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr. “Sites operating outside that framework may offer none of that protection, and they can look just as legitimate.”
Canada’s only other private-sector iGaming province, Alberta, is not represented as a member of IAGR.
Ontario authorities warn of fraud risks
Ontario and Alberta regulations stipulate that licensed sites must show the logo and information of the respective provincial conduct-and-manage agencies in any advertising or marketing materials. In Ontario, that is iGaming Ontario (iGO), which published a notice on Nov. 9 advising Ontarians to look for its logos and check its directory of registered operators before they play.
But IAGR CEO Mullally added that just because gamblers may be familiar with a website’s name, that does not mean the site is licensed or operating under regulatory oversight. “Illegal operators purposefully build sites to appear familiar and credible with the intention of purposefully deceiving gamblers,” he added.
The AGCO warned that using unlicensed websites exposes Ontarians to risks such as unpaid winnings, misuse of their financial or personal information, and lack of responsible gaming protections or supports.
“Unregulated iGaming sites that operate outside this framework may not offer the same safeguards, accountability, or oversight,” added Ontario’s regulator. “The message is clear: not all gambling websites operate to the same standards. Before placing a bet, make sure it is with a licensed and regulated site.”
Canadian regulators look to crack down on unlicensed operators
Numerous Canadian authorities have warned over the last few years of offshore operators or fraudsters attempting to lure consumers to unauthorized websites.
Almost two years ago, in January 2025, the AGCO wrote in its annual report that it was working on “a comprehensive strategy” to restrict access to the unregulated market. It also issued a notice in May 2025 urging digital media platforms like Google and Meta to stop giving unlicensed iGaming sites “a veneer of legitimacy” through advertising.
Meanwhile, Alberta minister Dale Nally said at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) on Sept. 29 that the provincial government would pursue “every possible avenue” to shut down any remaining unlicensed operators in a bid to “go as hard as we can against that illicit market.”
