Online Gambling in Ontario

What Gambling Is Legal in Ontario?

Whether it's slots, table games, live dealer games or sports betting, all forms of gambling on licensed and regulated online casinos in Ontario are legal. Currently, online casinos that are based in Canada must be owned and operated by the government to be legal. That being said, off-shore online casinos which are regulated by international authorities are legal in Ontario.

Whilst the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporate (OLG) or in French Société des loteries et des jeux de l'Ontario (SLJO) is responsible for gaming services such as lotteries, charity and aboriginal casinos and slots at horse-racing tracks, all casino gambling activities are regulated and overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Ontario currently has a single locally authorized online gambling site, PlayOLG.ca, which is operated by the OLG. The plan is to “establish a competitive market for online legal gambling that will reflect consumer choice”. Gambling was a top priority in the government's budget since the province pushed the federal government to restart efforts to allow sports betting. 

Here's a brief overview of what you can and can't bet on in the province. There are different things you can do at online casinos, at licensed vendors who sell gambling tickets (for instance, lotto scratch-offs), and with the state provider.

Is it Safe to Gamble Online in Ontario?

Safety when gambling online in Canada, or anywhere for that matter, is a major concern for players, especially when considering the fact that online casino operators will be in total control of players’ funds. All gaming activity in Ontario is regulated and controlled by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. The primary function of Ontario's regulatory body is to overlook all the activities of both land-based and online casinos to ensure players’ safety is guaranteed when gambling online in Ontario.

Any online casino that applies for a gambling licence in Ontario will need to go through a series of rigorous tests set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, and there is a zero-tolerance policy for casino operators looking to use unscrupulous methods such as withholding winnings or other malpractices. Any online casinos in Canada which are not based within the state may have licences from other jurisdictions, such as Malta (MGA) or the UK (UKGC).

Payment Methods in Ontario

There are plenty of available payment methods for players looking to gamble online in Ontario. Whether you use Interac, which many casinos accept, or if you want to use an eWallet, most sites will have options available to you. Each payment method has pros and cons though - we've made a brief summary below.

• eWallets - These can be payment methods such as Trustly and ecoPayz. They have a quick withdrawal time and low or no fees.
• Cryptocurrency - almost instant withdrawals, no currency conversion
• Bank / Card - Slow withdrawals, but very secure

Almost all casinos accept the popular methods mentioned above, however, to avoid disappointment, always be sure to check the available payment options on the site itself. We also recommend that you check the payment providers' terms and conditions for any fees which will be charged on casino transactions.

Bonuses in Online Ontario Casinos

Many sites will offer bonuses - it's part of making the gaming experience even more exciting. There are plenty of different kinds - from casino cashback bonuses to free spins - you just need to pick which one you like the most and make sure to read the terms, and then you have some great extras to have some fun! Here are a few different kinds of bonuses you can find in Ontario casinos.

• Deposit bonuses - money or match amounts, when depositing
• No deposit bonuses - free bonuses in free spins or cash, without needing to deposit
• Welcome package bonuses - a combination of cash, spins, deposit matches, or something else as a gift for registering.
• Free spins - a number of spins without needing to bet anything, usually applied to a specific game
• Reload bonuses - A deposit match or free spins are given when depositing on a certain day (for example, weekend top-up bonus)
• Free cash bonuses - What it says on the tin. Usually, this cash has wagering requirements.
• VIP bonuses - Exclusive bonuses given to players who have achieved VIP status on a site, as part of their loyalty programs.
• Refer a friend bonuses - Bonuses given as thanks from a friend signing up to a site, often using a code you have provided them with. 

Favourite Online Casinos in Ontario

There are hundreds of Canadian online casinos offering their services to Ontario casino players but only a handful are the go-to casino for players from Ontario. The following are three of the most popular online casino players in Ontario and the reasons behind their popularity. Whether you're after a traditional slot game or newer video slots, we've found casinos that have a good selection of them all.

Rizk Casino

Launched in 2016, Rizk Casino comes with an impressive games variety, a generous welcome offer of 100% deposit bonus up to C$500 + 50 FS by its own superhero Captain Rizk and unique features such as the Wheel of Rizk and the Rizk Races. Rizk Casino also accepts payments through Interac, a payment provider exclusively for Canadian players.

Check out our detailed Rizk Casino review.

Casumo

Launched in 2012, Casumo has taken the industry by storm and has even won Operator of the Year for three consecutive years! New players are welcomed with a superb offer of 100% up to C$500 + 20 No Deposit Free Spins. The fun doesn't stop there, you can take part in daily Reel Races by playing titles from leading software developers such as Quickspin, Microgaming and Play'n Go. Depositing and Withdrawing funds to your Canadian bank account is very easy and you can make use of local payment methods including Interac and iDebit.

Check out our detailed Casumo Casino review.

LeoVegas

Launched in 2011, LeoVegas is considered one of Europe's leading online casinos, all thanks to its high levels of security, excellent customer service, extensive game options and a generous 99 tier VIP program. New players are welcomed with a thrilling offer of a 100% deposit match up to C$1000 + 100 FS. Popular payment methods favoured by our Canadian players such as Interac, iDebit, Instadebit and ecoPayz are all accepted at LeoVegas.

Check out our detailed LeoVegas Casino review.

Online Slots Most Popular In Ontario

There are plenty of online slots scattered across the internet and favourites differ greatly from one province to another. The following are three of the biggest online slots that Ontarian players seem to love the most!

Gonzo’s Quest

Probably one of the most successful online slots ever released by NetEnt and a favourite amongst Ontario casino players. Gonzo’s Quest attracts many players. It comes loaded with 5 reels and 20 paylines, 3D animations and players can spin the reels from as little as 0.20. Players love Gonzo’s Quest because of its cascading reels function, where blocks making up winning combinations will be replaced by new blocks, creating more opportunities to make winning combinations from the same spin.

Mega Fortune

Another NetEnt creation, Mega Fortune is a jackpot slot, but technically, it still falls under the online slots umbrella. Players from Ontario adore jackpot slots, for the sole reason that it had the potential to reward players with huge winnings, more than you'd get from a regular slot. Mega Fortune is all about living the high life, having luxurious game symbols such as expensive watches and diamonds. Mega Fortune has three progressive jackpots and an excellent free spins feature that keeps Ontario casino players wanting more!

The Wild Chase

Quickspin created this 5 reels and 25 paylines slot and it’s quickly becoming notoriously popular amongst Ontario casino players. The Wild Chase can see players cash in on winnings 423 times their total bet in a single spin. The maximum any player can win through the jackpot is 42,300 coins in a single spin.

Click on the games below to try them out for free!

Biggest Jackpot Win Ever Recorded in Ontario

One lucky man from Toronto triggered the Megabucks slot machine jackpot and took away almost $5.8 million, breaking the previous record of $5.6 million on Valentine’s day, back in 2002. The tax account jackpot winner triggered the huge jackpot on his 20th spin, spending a total of $60 to get his reward. Not too shabby for a couple of minutes of work. 

Table Games in Ontario

If you're looking for classic casino table games in an Ontario online casino, you're in luck! Most, if not all, of the casinos which offer their services to players, also provide table game options. So maybe you prefer roulette over slots, or want to play some blackjack and not bet on sports - either way, you'll be provided for on the site.

Live Dealer Games in Ontario

Playing table games online is fine, but sometimes you just really want to replicate that in-casino experience. Live dealer games provide that! With a trained and professional dealer handling the table, dealing cards, and running the game, you can get a great gaming experience just like you're really in the casino itself. An easy-to-follow overlay is showing your screen, so you can play by tapping or clicking on your screen to add cards to your hand, fold, or place your bets in roulette. You can even chat with the dealer as you play - just like you're really there.

How to Find the Best Live Dealer Sites in Ontario

With thousands of live online casinos to choose from, Ontarian gamblers have plenty of options to play with real money. But how do you find the best live dealer casino? Our experts have listed down some key factors that will help you choose the best live dealer site:

1. Experienced Dealers- the best thing about playing live dealer games is the opportunity to make a connection with the dealer. A live dealer should not only be experienced enough to run the game, but they should also be fun and willing to engage with the players.
2. Good quality video- having the optimal streaming technology is a priority for live dealer sites. Live dealer casinos should have clear videos without any lagging or buffering. Always make sure to have a good strong connection on your side as well.
3. Variety of live dealer games- look for casinos that have a full lobby with your favourite live games including live blackjack, live roulette, live baccarat and many more. Some casinos might offer a limited number of casino games however top live dealer casinos will have a plethora of live games to choose from even the less popular ones.
4. Live dealer bonuses- many online casinos that offer live dealer games will also have a selection of live casino bonuses such as cashback bonuses, cash rewards and deposit bonuses to choose from.

Sportsbook in Ontario

Before, to place sports bets in Ontario you would need to make a trip physically to fill out a betting slip. Luckily, sports betting online is legal, so you don't have to make that trip anymore if your favourite online casino also offers sports betting. Your winnings will not be taxed, and there are not the same betting restrictions (such as needing to bet on a certain margin) which you would experience in OLG-controlled bet slips.

What Sports Bets Can I Place in Ontario?

Top-ranked sports betting sites will have plenty of betting opportunities for players in Ontario.

Betting on NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) is very popular amongst Ontario players wishing to place bets. With 7 NHL teams in Canada, it comes as no surprise that all top sportsbooks in Canada will offer several bets on all NHL matches.

Betting on NBA

Are you a fan of the Toronto Raptors and wish to place a bet? No need to worry, the best sportsbooks in Ontario offer the possibility of placing wagers in individual matches, NBA playoff games and many more!

Betting on Soccer

You can also place bets on the Reds or any other team in the Major League Soccer during the season and the MLS Cup Playoffs as well as other major leagues including the English Premier League, La Ligue and international tournaments such as FIFA World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Betting on MLB

With over 160 games per team, baseball fans have a lot to look forward to. The opportunities to place bets on MLB matches are endless.

Betting on Other Sports

If your passion is tennis, cricket, UFC, motor racing or any other sport, you can also place bets at top sportsbooks in Ontario as they will feature almost all sports and major leagues around the world.

Mobile Casinos in Ontario

With new casino sites popping up over time, we've got plenty of casinos to choose from. Most of them, if not all of them, will either be mobile-friendly by having a well-optimized casino site or will have an app that is available to download. If there is a casino app, you may need to download it directly from the site itself, but otherwise, you might be able to find it on the App Store or the Play store.

Mobile gambling makes it easier to play on the go. Mobile casinos also tend to offer a better user interface for mobile devices too - larger buttons, easy to follow layouts, and sites that can handle a rotation change are all factors of a mobile-optimized casino.

Find out which are the top 5 mobile casinos in Ontario below.

Problem Gambling Helplines in Ontario

Gaming should always be fun however for some people it could get out of hand. To combat this, top-ranked casinos in Ontario set several measures in order to safeguard their players. Such measures include betting limits, time limits and self-exclusion.

If you feel like you're having issues with gambling or know someone who might be experiencing problem gambling, we urge you to seek help. There are several organizations that offer support to problem gamblers:

• ProblemGambling.ca: offers a wide range of resources for support in English and French). They can be contacted via phone on 1-866-531-2600
• Playsmart: a site created by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) which provides a lot of information on safe gambling in English and French.
• ConnexOntario: free 24/7 services including counselling and support. Can be contacted via phone on 1-866-531-2600

Gambling Provinces in Canada

The gambling industry in Canada is very hospitable and lenient and offers hundreds of land-based casinos. Canadians have the option to either gamble at offline and online casinos both state-owned and offshore.

Ontario has the biggest population from all 10 Canadian provinces and many casinos, as well as racetracks, can be found across the province. Having each province acting as a self-governing entity, certain regulations may differ from one province to another.

For more information, click on the buttons below to see what each Canadian Province set for its gambling regulations.

Final Word on Gambling Online in Ontario

Players who reside in Ontario are spoilt for choice. There is a plethora of online casinos that accept players from Ontario but be sure to check the regulatory body overlooking the online casino, as this will be vital in determining the integrity of the casino.

Before opting in, head over to the online casinos’ lobby to make sure that the casino offers games that fit your style of playing and check the banking section to find out what payment methods are available for players in Ontario. Online casinos that have Canadian specific payment methods are the preferred choice but don’t be hindered from joining if it ticks all the other boxes.

Ontario Casinos FAQ

Got a few questions about betting online in Ontario? We've answered some of the frequently asked questions on gambling in Ontario below!

This page was written in 2014, and is now maintained by Dani Wilson Should you have any questions or see any discrepancies on this page, feel free to reach out to her at dani.wilson@casinotopsonline.com. The casino list at the beginning of the page is revised each month, to ensure we only offer the very best casino sites to our readers. For a list of references used to create this page, please see below.

References:

• Canada: Gambling Laws and Regulations 2021 (ICLG)
• Ontario Problem Gambling Treatment (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)