FanDuel has announced that it will be withdrawing its Daily Fantasy Sports product in Ontario as of 1 April. This is to comply with Ontario’s rules regarding the opening up of its gaming and betting market for licensed operators.
Ontario will launch sports betting, igaming and licensed e-sports on April 4, ending the state’s monopoly. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario released an operator guide earlier this month. It revealed that companies that apply for registration prior to the launch on 4 April must stop operations as soon as their registration has been approved by AGCO.
FanDuel was one of the operators who received a license. As a result, it decided to remove its daily fantasy brand including free and paid versions, since this vertical would not be allowed under the new rules.
However, the operator noted that it would continue to offer its daily fantasy sport brand in other provinces.
The normal rules will apply to all entries made before 1 April, and winnings can be withdrawn in full.
The province will publish its standards in September 2021 for gaming and betting online. Online gaming rules include the ban of auto-play, and a spin speed minimum for slot machines of 2.5 seconds.
There have however been questions raised about whether or not the way in which Ontario plans to open its market is compatible with the Criminal Code of Canada.
Others such as LeoVegas and Rush Street Interactive have received approval for their Ontario launches. Rivalry, TheScoreBet, 888, Rivalry Interactive and theScoreBet are also approved.
