Managing Director
Edwin D. Monzon
- ON
- QC
- UK
Edwin Monzon advises the businesses that move money in regulated markets: online gaming operators, payment institutions, fintech companies and virtual asset service providers. In more than 20 years of practice, he has led acquisitions and reorganisations of financial institutions and gaming companies in Canada and abroad, and built the licences and AML programs those businesses run on.
- iGaming licensing
- Payments & FINTRAC
- AML compliance
- Digital assets
- Regulated M&A
Why clients choose Edwin
Gaming and payments under one adviser
He handles both the gaming licence and the MSB, EMI and payment registrations behind it, so the regulatory picture is joined up from day one.
Cross-border deal leadership
He has led acquisitions, reorganisations, equity investments, exits and joint ventures for regulated businesses in Canada and abroad.
Multi-jurisdiction coordination
He aligns licensing conditions and reporting duties across several jurisdictions, so one regulator’s approval does not create a problem with another.
Trilingual, with a worldwide network
He works in English, French and Spanish, with a client base and network that extends well beyond Canada.
Representative experience
- Led acquisitions and reorganisations of financial institutions and gaming companies, in Canada and abroad.
- Structured equity investments, exits and joint-venture arrangements for regulated businesses.
- Prepared MSB, EMI and dealer applications for banks, trust companies, securities trading platforms, virtual asset service providers, fintech companies and payment institutions.
- Designed AML compliance programs and managed ongoing regulatory reporting for licensed clients.
- Advised on emerging sectors including digital finance, crypto-assets, blockchain, artificial intelligence and e-sports.
- As part of the firm’s gaming practice, which has advised operators, aggregators, developers and service providers for more than 20 years, with licensing experience in Ontario, Kahnawake, Malta, Alderney, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Curaçao and other jurisdictions.
Practice areas
What types of matters does Edwin Monzon handle?
His work concentrates on gaming and payments. Most mandates combine licensing, AML compliance and corporate structuring, often across more than one jurisdiction.
Ontario iGaming registration
AGCO registration for operators and gaming-related suppliers, and the operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.
International gaming licences
Applications and renewals in Kahnawake, Malta, Alderney and other jurisdictions, coordinated with Canadian requirements.
Gaming AML and player protection
AML programs, KYC and source-of-funds controls, and the responsible gambling standards that regulators test.
FINTRAC and MSB compliance
Money services business registration, compliance programs, reporting obligations and FINTRAC examinations.
Payments regulation
Bank of Canada registration under the Retail Payment Activities Act, fund safeguarding and operational risk frameworks, and Quebec MSB licensing.
Digital assets and regulated M&A
Virtual asset service provider compliance, and acquisitions or restructurings of licensed gaming and payments businesses, including change-of-control approvals.
Professional biography
Background
Called to the Quebec Bar in 2004 and licensed in Ontario, Edwin is the Managing Partner of Lazarus Legal. He is known as a trusted adviser with a business focus and a reputation for solutions tailored to each mandate.
Bar admissions: Barreau du Québec (called 2004) · Law Society of Ontario · Foreign Legal Counsel (United Kingdom) · Service languages: English · French · Spanish
Experience at a glance
For general information only. The outcome of any matter depends on its facts, and past results do not guarantee future results.
Frequently asked questions
Questions clients ask before a consultation
General information only. The answer for your situation depends on its facts.
Do we need to register with the AGCO to offer online gaming in Ontario?
Operators that offer online gaming to players in Ontario must register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and enter into an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. Many gaming-related suppliers, such as game studios and platform providers, also need their own AGCO registration. We map which entities in your group need to register and in what order.
Does our payments business need to register with FINTRAC as a money services business?
Businesses that transfer funds, exchange foreign currency, deal in virtual currency or provide similar services generally must register with FINTRAC before they operate, including foreign businesses that direct those services at people in Canada. Registration comes with a compliance program, client identification, record-keeping and reporting obligations.
What is the Retail Payment Activities Act and does it apply to us?
The Retail Payment Activities Act requires payment service providers that perform retail payment functions for end users in Canada to register with the Bank of Canada and to meet operational risk and fund-safeguarding requirements. Whether it applies depends on the functions you perform and where your end users are, so we start with a review of your payment flows.
Can one AML program cover both our gaming and payments operations?
Often, a single framework can be used if it is adapted to each activity. Gaming regulators and FINTRAC look at different risks, reports and records, so the program needs separate risk assessments and controls where the obligations differ. We review what you already have before recommending changes.
What should we prepare for the first consultation?
A corporate structure chart, a short description of your products and payment flows, the markets you serve or plan to enter, any licences or registrations you already hold, and your target timeline. Confidential documents can follow once conflict checks are complete.
Discuss your gaming or payments matter
Tell us the markets you operate in, the licences you hold and your timeline. We will reply within one business day and arrange a phone or video call.
Book a consultation