GambleOntario — Best Legal Gambling Sites in Ontario 2023

Brief Ontario Gambling History

Ontario is one of the largest provinces in Canada and home to more than 14 million people. It is also home to huge cities like Ottawa and Toronto. This is why many online gambling providers clamoured to set up websites here immediately after they became legal on April 4, 2022. This new iGaming scene is opposed to the past years when players were limited to the internet casino owned by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. It was either this or playing games on unregulated offshore casino sites, which had a range of drawbacks.

In Ontario, online gambling has undergone massive development ever since the first online games were released in the 1990s. However, it was not until 1994 before gambling truly started in Ontario with the establishment of Caesars Windsor. This was the first commercial casino built in this great city. Following the massive success of this casino, many other casinos were developed. In 2010, the Ontario government picked up interest in online gambling, which led to the development of PlayOLG.ca. In 2019, there were reports that the overall revenue attained from the gambling activity in Ontario was over C$7 million.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Ontario?

Yes, online gambling in Ontario is legal. But PlayOLG.ca was the only properly regulated platform over the past seven years. The company behind this platform is the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which the government of Ontario owns. It owned and managed numerous land-based casinos, so it was only typical to launch an online gambling platform. This platform started with an online website but later incorporated a mobile app. In other words, players who wanted to gamble on a licensed platform had to stick with this option.

However, on the 4th of April 2022, the government passed a new bill that allowed numerous iGaming brands onto the market. Any online gambling operator that wishes to offer its services in the province will only need to reach an agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO) to begin its operations. This is good news for players in Ontario, who will have even more legal online gambling sites to choose from.

Gambling Ontario Regulation

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario administers all types of gambling in Ontario. However, as it became more evident that internet casinos and sports betting sites would be deemed legal by the government, iGaming Ontario was set up by AGCO. This institution, a subsidiary of AGO, will be responsible for regulating and overseeing sports betting and online gambling websites.

How to Find Leading Ontario Online Gambling Sites?

As we mentioned earlier, there is already a bunch of internet casinos in Ontario, with more expected to be added soon. So, how do you determine the best from the rest? We want to help you with this, so we compiled a list of factors you should evaluate when choosing top casinos.

1. Licence

Before choosing an online gambling platform in Ontario, make sure it has an Ontario licence. You can easily determine this by checking the seal and licence numbers at the bottom of the homepage. Check out the menu at the bottom of each page on the online gambling site for the iGaming Ontario logo. It should be easy to spot! Look for the iGaming Ontario logo at the online gambling site’s menu at the bottom of each page. If a casino is not licensed, playing there is not a good idea.

2. Safety and Security

When choosing an Ontario betting site, the first thing you want to ensure is your safety and security. The best casinos have innovative security measures to ensure you and your details are safe. These rigorous security protocols will confirm you can play without worrying about your information falling into the wrong hands.

3. User-Friendly Website

The best gambling sites in Ontario are easy to use and offer seamless registration. Legal casinos will be required to verify your identity and perform KYC checks, so you will need to upload some documents. The top Ontario casinos will quickly check and verify any documents you upload so that you can start playing as soon as possible. Unfortunately, some casinos may take too much time during the verification process and keep you on a long waiting list. This is something you won’t experience when you stick with reliable Ontario gambling sites.

4. Games on Offer

Top Ontario casinos have a great range of games provided by the best game developers. Ideally, you want to go for a casino with reputable providers like Microgaming, Play’n Go, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, etc. Games on offer should be extensive enough to guarantee variety, which means you will have plenty of options like slots, table games, progressive jackpot games, and a live casino section.

5. Banking Options

Leading casinos will certainly provide you with numerous banking methods available in Ontario. Before you settle for an Ontario Casino, you need to make sure that it accepts the payment method of your choice. It is important to choose an operator with more than one option, like iDebit, Neteller, Trustly, MuchBetter, Credit/Debit Cards, etc. Also, check out this page if you need Ontario casinos with fast payouts and speedy withdrawals.

6. Customer Support

Problems could arise anytime as you gamble online. Therefore, you need a casino with reliable customer support available to help you out. The best Ontario gambling operators will provide 24/7 support via numerous communication tools, such as email, live chat, and telephone. In addition, there will be an extensive FAQ page where you can get answers to common questions in most cases. The support team should be reliable, polite, and fast too. Make sure you settle for only gambling platforms that excel in these areas.

7. Mobile Functionality

Finally, you want to choose a fully mobile functional gambling site. It should have an Android or iOS app to download on your Samsung Galaxy Tab, iPhone, etc. Some gambling Ontario sites even have a dedicated mobile app for you to play with the tap of a button!

How to Register on Regulated Ontario Gambling Sites

Unlike unregulated casinos, registering for a regulated online gambling website in Canada is simple. You can usually register and start playing your favourite games within minutes. The steps below can help you do this.

• Step 1: Choose one of the new online casinos Ontario from our carefully curated casino lists.
• Step 2: Follow the website link and click on the “Join” or “Register” button.
• Step 3: You will be required to provide your information, including name, email address/password, DOB, address, phone number, etc.
• Step 4: Once you have filled in the details and clicked on “Register,” you will receive an email with a link. Click on the link to verify your account.
• Step 5: Log into your account and head to the banking/cashier page. Here, you’ll need to pick one of the available payment options so you can make a deposit.
• Step 6: Input your preferred deposit amount and wait for the money to hit your account. In most cases, this is usually an instant process.
• Step 7: Once your account has been credited, you can choose your preferred casino game and get in on the fun.

Popular Games on Ontario Gambling Sites

Now that online gambling is entirely legal in Ontario, you can expect to enjoy an extensive casino game selection. According to the law in Ontario, you are guaranteed an 85% RTP for most slots and about 95% for table games. This means all the games have been tested for fairness so that you can be sure of an unbiased outcome. Knowing this, here are the most popular games you can find at Ontario gambling websites.

Table Games

You’ll find plenty of table games when gambling online in Ontario. These are games played on a table and include multiple dice and card games. There are many options in this category, including:

• Online Roulette
• Online Blackjack
• Online Poker
• Online Baccarat
• Online Bingo

Table games have different betting limits and variants, so you’ll always find something tailored to your gaming needs.

Specialty Games

These games don’t fall entirely into the table or slot game categories. Common examples include Slingo, which is a combination of bingo and slots. Others range from Scratch Card, Keno, Wheel of Fortune, and Bingo games. These games completely depend on luck and are highly entertaining and easy to play. Online gambling sites also offer these games at a more affordable rate than your typical games.

Live Casino Games

Live dealer games have been rising in popularity among players in Ontario. These are table games streamed in real-time, thus giving players a realistic gaming experience. Live dealer games take place in a studio with a real table and dealer, broadcasted using strategically placed cameras.

Live dealer games allow players to interact with one another and the dealers using the available chat box. The best part is that anyone can play these games right from the comfort of their homes. In addition, you will find most table games at live casinos, including popular titles like Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and more.

Slots

Slot machines are one of the most popular games at internet casinos, and this is the case with Ontario online gamblers too. The rules are simple; you only need to spin the reels and land a winning combination. Online Slots are spread across various themes, including sports, animals, ancient Egypt, etc. You will also find games with different volatility levels, RTPs and all from top suppliers. Types of common slot games include classic slots, 5-reel slots, 3D slots, progressive jackpots, etc. The latter is great for players who love to win big as the prizes tend to run into millions. However, be aware that wins like these are very rare.

Ontario Online Gambling and Responsible Gambling

Ontario is very serious about responsible gambling. Therefore, online gambling brands in Ontario have been prohibited from encouraging excessive play or advertising to minors. Operators must also include controls for responsible gaming in their software to ensure players don’t play excessively. Also, online gambling operators must inform gamblers about the dangers of problem gambling.

They must provide them with software options to self-exclude or limit their gameplay. Operators who fail to do this and reduce the danger of problem gambling can lose their licences. On most Ontario gambling sites and bookmakers, you will find a page dedicated to educating players about responsible gambling.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG): All You Need to Know

The OLG was developed in 1975 by the Ontario Government under the Ontario Lottery Corporation Act. Its role is to offer and oversee all forms of gambling activities to the residents of Ontario. These range from charitable gaming to lotteries, but now it also consists of state-run casino games and land-based casinos. The OLG also has an online gambling platform which the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regulates and keeps in check.

Available Responsible Gambling Support in Ontario

If you or someone you know is dealing with a gambling problem, here are some resources to get help:

• Ontario Problem Gambling: Helpline – 1-888-230-3505
• ConnexOntario: Helpline – 1-866-531-2600