There has been some opposition to the Ontario regulation plan since it was announced. In particular, some Indigenous nations in Ontario saw the move infringing on their rights to control their territory and self-govern. Shawanaga First Nation and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation have expressed concerns about Indigenous self-government and the responsibility of Canadian governments to “consult and accommodate” First Nations impacted by government decisions.
Ontario’s Auditor General also pointed to some possible issues with the new regulations. In her analysis of the new rules in 2021, AG Bonnie Lysyk pointed to potential legal risks related to delegation of duties, conflict of interest, and game integrity.
Additionally, some land-based casino operations, such as Great Canadian Gaming (GCG) have expressed concern over revenue loss from the new plans. While there is general support for the idea of the regulations, GCG said “serious issues” surrounded its revenue with competition from online commercial entities.
None of the opposition has prevented the new regulations from moving forward. However, it is still entirely possible that legal action may be taken in the future to challenge the new system from a number of angles.