18+ --:--:-- UTC
JURISDICTION HEAD-TO-HEAD

Ontario (Canada) vs United Kingdom

Two open, regulated markets with different commercial models. Ontario (AGCO with iGaming Ontario), live since 2022, uses a conduct-and-manage model: operators act as iGO's agents and remit around 20% of gaming revenue as a revenue share, not a tax. The UK uses a point-of-consumption licence and taxes online gaming at 40% of GGR from April 2026.

Ontario (Canada) United Kingdom
RegulatorAlcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)Gambling Commission (UKGC)
Market statusRegulatedRegulated
Regime since20222007
Headline tax~20% of gaming revenue to iGO (contractual revenue share, not a tax)40% Remote Gaming Duty (from 1 April 2026; previously 21%)
Tax baseRevenue share (gaming revenue / GGR)Gross gambling yield / gross gaming profits (stakes received minus winnings paid)
Licence types3 licence types7 licence types
Licence termAGCO registration: 2-year term (renewable); iGO operating agreement is ongoingOpen-ended (no fixed term; annual fees payable)

Key differences

  • Model: Ontario runs conduct-and-manage with a roughly 20% revenue share to iGO; the UK is a straight licence-and-tax regime.
  • Registration: Ontario registers operators for a 2-year term; UK licences are open-ended with annual fees.
  • Scale: Ontario handled CA$82.7 billion in wagers in FY2024-25 across around 50 operators.
When Ontario (Canada) fits

Ontario suits operators entering a fast-growing North American market under its agency model and revenue share.

Full Ontario (Canada) profile →
When United Kingdom fits

The UK suits operators serving Great Britain under a mature licence-and-tax framework.

Full United Kingdom profile →

Common questions

How is online gambling taxed in Ontario (Canada) compared with United Kingdom?

Ontario (Canada): ~20% of gaming revenue to iGO (contractual revenue share, not a tax) (base: Revenue share (gaming revenue / GGR)). United Kingdom: 40% Remote Gaming Duty (from 1 April 2026; previously 21%) (base: Gross gambling yield / gross gaming profits (stakes received minus winnings paid)).

Who regulates online gambling in Ontario (Canada) and United Kingdom?

Ontario (Canada) is regulated by Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO); United Kingdom by Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Which has the longer licence term, Ontario (Canada) or United Kingdom?

Ontario (Canada): AGCO registration: 2-year term (renewable); iGO operating agreement is ongoing. United Kingdom: Open-ended (no fixed term; annual fees payable).

Not legal or tax advice. This is a neutral teaching comparison; confirm every figure against the primary regulator (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; Gambling Commission) before relying on it. 18+.