Senior Lawyer
John Giammarella
- QC
- UK
John Giammarella brings nearly 20 years of practice and a general counsel’s perspective to gaming regulation, fintech and cross-border business. He has helped clients register in Ontario’s regulated gaming and betting market and works with casino operators, lotteries, regulators and policy makers alike.
- Gaming regulation
- Ontario iGaming
- Legal opinions
- Digital assets
- Fintech
Why clients choose John
Seen from both sides of the table
His clients include gaming regulators and policy makers as well as operators, which gives him a clear view of what regulators look for.
General counsel experience
He has served as general counsel for two publicly traded Canadian companies, so his advice is built to be used by management and boards.
Gaming and fintech together
Alongside gaming, he handles MSB licence applications, virtual asset compliance and payment services.
A bridge between Europe and Canada
He helps European companies invest and integrate acquisitions in Canada, and Canadian companies enter the EU, in English, French or Italian.
Representative experience
- Helped operators and suppliers register in Ontario’s regulated online gaming and betting market.
- Provided legal opinions on Canadian gaming and betting law.
- Advised land-based and online casino operators, lotteries, horse racing operators and First Nations casino operators, as well as gaming regulators and policy makers.
- Served as general counsel for two publicly traded Canadian companies.
- Prepared MSB licence applications and advised on virtual asset compliance, payment services and fintech.
- Assisted European companies with Canadian investment, M&A integration and market access, and Canadian companies entering the EU.
Practice areas
What types of matters does John Giammarella handle?
Gaming regulation and compliance, from Ontario registration to legal opinions, together with digital asset and fintech work.
Ontario iGaming registration
Registration of operators and suppliers in Ontario's regulated online gaming and betting market.
Gaming legal opinions
Opinions on whether a product, promotion or business model is permitted under Canadian gaming and betting law.
Land-based gaming and lotteries
Regulatory advice for casino operators, lotteries, horse racing operators and First Nations gaming.
Gaming compliance programs
Compliance frameworks, policies and correspondence with regulators for operators and suppliers.
Digital assets and fintech
Regulatory and commercial advice for fintech and digital asset businesses, in Canada and abroad.
General counsel support
Board-level and in-house style support for gaming and fintech companies.
Professional biography
Professional experience
John has helped clients register in Ontario's regulated online gaming and betting market and provides legal opinions on Canadian gaming and betting law. His clients range from land-based and online casino operators to lotteries, horse racing operators and First Nations gaming, and he also works with gaming regulators and policy makers.
In-house perspective
John has served as general counsel for two publicly traded Canadian companies. That experience shapes how he advises: regulatory analysis that a board can act on, and documents that work inside a business.
Bar admissions: Barreau du Québec · Foreign Legal Counsel (United Kingdom) · Service languages: English · French · Italian
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.
Is online betting legal in Canada?
Under the Criminal Code, gaming must generally be conducted and managed by a province. In Ontario, private operators can offer online gaming and betting once registered with the AGCO and operating under an agreement with iGaming Ontario. In most other provinces, online gaming is offered mainly through the provincial lottery corporation.
When do we need a legal opinion on a gaming product?
Before launch, and whenever a product, promotion or payment feature changes. Platforms, payment partners and regulators often ask for an opinion on whether an offering is lawful in each market.
Can you help us register in Ontario as a supplier rather than an operator?
Yes. Gaming-related suppliers, such as game studios and platform providers, have their own AGCO registration requirements. We assess which entities need to register and prepare the application.
What should I prepare for the first consultation?
A short summary of the matter, the key dates and any documents you already have, such as contracts, correspondence or notices. Confidential documents can follow once our conflict check is complete.
Discuss your gaming or fintech matter
Tell us the markets and products involved and your timeline. We will reply within one business day.
Book a consultation