AGCO
Ontario's gambling watchdog. It registers the online sites allowed to take bets in Ontario and makes them follow its rules.
AGCO stands for Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. From Montreal, it's the regulator one province over. Besides online gambling, it also handles alcohol, retail cannabis and horse racing. Any operator or supplier that wants Ontario customers has to register with it and follow the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming.
What the rules cover
Protecting you as a player, safer gambling tools, how sites can advertise, honest games, AML controls and keeping your data safe. Example: a site needs your OK before sending you promo emails.
AGCO vs iGaming Ontario
People mix these two up all the time. The AGCO makes and enforces the rules. iGaming Ontario runs the market and signs the business deals with each brand. To take bets from Ontarians, a company needs both: AGCO registration and an iGO agreement.
Got a problem with a site?
At a regulated Ontario site, complain to the operator first, then go to the AGCO. Offshore sites are out of its reach. Heads up: Quebec doesn't work this way. Here, the provincial online offer goes through Loto-Québec.