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Hard Rock Bet has taken a key step toward launching online sports betting and iGaming in Ontario after receiving registration from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Good to Know
Hard Rock Bet already operates in 10 U.S. states, but Canada remains untapped for the Seminole-owned sportsbook and online casino brand. Ontario now appears likely to become its first market north of the border, although the app has not launched yet.
The AGCO registry confirms the registration. However, Ontario rules also require operators to sign a commercial agreement with iGaming Ontario, the provincial agency that manages legal private-sector iGaming in the province.
The online licence arrives after Hard Rock opened Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa last year. The $350 million property gives the company a land-based presence in Canada, which could help connect casino visitors with its future digital sportsbook and online casino.
That setup gives Hard Rock Bet a stronger local story than many online-only brands. Players in Ontario could see one brand across casino, sportsbook, and retail entertainment, while the Ottawa venue could also benefit from online customer traffic.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, owner of Hard Rock, has already shown interest in the Canadian online gambling market. Its digital business had been in line to acquire the Canadian assets of PointsBet last year through a wider bid for the Australian bookmaker. That deal did not happen, but Hard Rock Bet now has its own path into Ontario.
Alberta could become the next Canadian target. The province plans to open a competitive sports betting and iGaming market on July 13, giving private operators another regulated option beyond Ontario.
For now, Ontario and Alberta remain the only Canadian provinces with a competitive iGaming model that allows private operators to receive licences and legally take bets under provincial regulation.