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. 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.

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. 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.

Why Bet in Ontario?

Ontario’s sports betting scene is transparent, trustworthy, and thrilling. At present, Ontario has licensed 28 sports betting apps and sites, and the number grows with new licenses granted each month! Dive in, place your bet, and join the excitement.

Legally Secure: Single-game wagering, legalized in 2021, is overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Each betting platform is registered with either iGaming Ontario (iGO) or the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for a safe betting environment.

Betting Potential: Ontario’s online gaming market is soaring. By March 2023, it was valued at an astonishing $500 million. Dive into a world of options, from live in-game betting to predicting future outcomes.

Fair Play: Ontario prioritizes the integrity of sports. Constant monitoring guards against illicit activities and match-fixing. Every bet is genuine, and every outcome is real.

Looking Ahead: Since the iGaming market’s launch in April 2022, Ontario has attracted global betting platforms, ensuring a diverse and innovative user experience.

Ontario Gambling: Online Vs Land-Based

Nowadays, it seems that online and land-based casinos are vying to attract players at every turn, so let’s overview the main advantages and disadvantages of both.

In Ontario, one can find a number of land-based casinos scattered throughout the province. Their main advantage is the social element, as those who visit them get to hang out with fellow players and experience the unique atmosphere. However, the main downside is that you have to get there, and if there aren’t any casinos near you, it means sitting in your car and driving, which could take hours.

It follows that the main benefit of gambling online is instant play. When you feel like spinning reels or playing card and table games, you can simply log in and start using your computer or mobile device. On the other hand, the main disadvantage of internet casinos is the absence of that “social” aspect, meaning you don’t really get in touch with other people. However, online game developers have partially solved this issue by offering live dealer games with real dealers streamed in real-time.

Overall, the internet casino industry is making great strides, and it seems that all obstacles can be overcome with technology,giving the upper hand to online gambling sites in Ontario over their land-based counterparts.