Ontario Online Casinos

Are online casinos in Ontario legal?

Ontario’s online gambling market was strictly regulated from the first day it opened its doors to gamblers on April 4, 2023. Both online casino gaming and sports wagering are available to players in this province. The Ontario provincial government regulates the Ontario online betting market following the deferral government’s directive from 2023.

What was once a gray Ontario gambling market is now completely regulated and overseen by iGaming Ontario, an agency of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). You can quickly check the status of all Ontario gaming sites through iAGCO – the AGCO’s web-based portal. All you have to do is enter the registration number commonly found at the bottom of the online casino’s homepage and check its status.

Currently, the tax rate for online gambling in the province is expected to be 20%, and online casinos can serve only customers that are 19 years of age or older.

How does one find the best online casino in Ontario?

Unless you are an avid gambler, you probably don’t know that not all online casinos are the same. The same applies to Ontario casinos online. There are several factors that you need to consider to be able to choose the best casino for your personal needs and expectations.

Payout percentage

The payout percentage or win rate is a percentage of predicted returns on your bets. When choosing the casino, you want to look at the specific payout percentage or return to player (RTP) the casino offers. Generally speaking, Ontario slots, roulette, and blackjack often have a specific payout percentage. Slots in Ontario have a payout anywhere between 95% and 97%, but it may go up to 98% or even 99%, thanks to some bonus features such as progressive jackpots.

Variety of games

The next thing you should look at is the variety of games. Some casinos will have dozens of online slots and live games available to you, while others will have a limited offer. However, it’s one of the easiest things to check out for yourself. Simply visit the online casino website and see for yourself what games they offer and what software providers they source the games from.

Methods of depositing and withdrawing funds

While Ontario online casino real money gambling is completely legitimate – you still want to pay close attention to the methods of depositing and withdrawing funds. You want to find the most convenient option for yourself. Make sure to check the available methods on the casino website to choose the one that supports your favourite payment and withdrawing method.  

Mobile app

Some Ontario gambling sites even offer a dedicated casino mobile app. If you enjoy real money gambling on your smartphone or tablet, you should see whether the casino offers a dedicated app or it has at least optimized the website for mobile users. 

List of casinos in Ontario 2023

Browsing through the available online casinos in Ontario and assessing each one can be really time-consuming. That’s why we decided to help you speed things up and narrow down your options. 

We have carefully reviewed all the available casinos considering factors such as win rates, the presence of popular games, the number of games available, and deposit and withdrawal methods. Here is the list of the best licensed casinos in Ontario. 

BetRivers Casino Ontario

BetRivers is operated by Rush Street Interactive, which is owned by Rush Street Gaming, a US land-based casino group. The online casino has been up since 2020. Now it is available to Ontario players after acquiring the necessary licences from AGCO. 

BetRivers online casino offers hundreds of top-notch slot games from the best software providers. The players can also play table games and live dealer games at this casino. Both Android and iOS apps are available for download. 

DraftKings Casino Ontario

DraftKings is one of the most popular online casino sites worldwide. It’s been up and running since 2012, enabling players across borders to enjoy some of the most popular online casino games. Now, it is available to players in Ontario as well.

DraftKings Casino offers access to more than 400 games. With numerous deposit options and short payout times, this casino quickly paved its way as one of the best online casinos in Ontario. 

BetMGM Casino Ontario

BetMGM Casino Ontario is operated by the renowned MGM brand that stands behind the legendary Las Vegas casino MGM Grand Casino. The digital arm of the MGM brand was launched in 2017. Over the years, the casino has been made available to players across the US. Recently, it acquired all the required licences to launch in Ontario too.

The casino offers a great selection of games. However, what makes it stand out are the unique variants of popular casino table games, such as 25c roulette, Blazing 7’s blackjack, BetMGM blackjack Pro, and others.

LeoVegas Casino Ontario

LeoVegas Casino quickly emerged as one of the top online casinos in Ontario. The online casino has been around since 2012, and it’s been available to Ontario players since early 2023. The casino website is intuitive, enabling even the new players to find their way around it.

When it comes to the game’s availability, LeoVegas Casino has a wide variety of games, including online slots, live games, and table games. This casino is a bit different, with a heavy focus on mobile gamers. It embraced the mobile-first philosophy a while back and has offered a premium mobile gaming experience ever since.

888 Casino Ontario

888 Casino was one of the first online casinos that opened its doors to online players in Ontario. This is one of those casinos with years-long history. It was launched in 1997, which gave it enough time to build a great online gambling brand image. 

888 Casino Ontario offers a large game selection, including a couple of progressive jackpots. With over 2,000 games and brand-exclusive live casino tables, 888 Casino can easily become a one-stop shop for many Ontario players.

FanDuel Casino Ontario

FanDuel is one of the most famous US sportsbooks. The platform launched in 2009 after securing venture capital funding from Pentech Ventures and Scottish Enterprise. It provides a wide range of betting options covering all popular and less-popular sports. The sportsbook is registered in Ontario, enabling people in the province to use its services to make real money. 

Even though they cover a massive slate of games, the website and mobile apps are still quite easy to use. You will have no problems navigating the FanDuel site and finding popular sports, incoming games, and account settings. 

Party Casino Ontario

Party Casino is one of the most popular casinos worldwide. It was established as Starluck Casino in 1997. The casino rebranded in 2006, changing its name to PartyCasino. After the AGCO approval, this casino legally offers its services to players throughout Ontario. 

While the casino does offer slots and table games, it’s most famous for its tournament. Slot tournaments at Party Casino are quite engaging and don’t require extensive knowledge or experience. 

Unibet Casino Ontario

Unibet Casino is owned and operated by the Kindred Group based out in Malta. The casino is famous for its premium live casino experience. It was launched back in 1998. Over the years, Unibet grew into a prominent establishment, securing games from some of the top software providers.

Currently, it’s available in over 100 countries and has over 15 million registered players. Fortunately, Ontario players now also have access to this great online casino and can engage in several experiences ranging from online slots to live games. Unibet casino is unique because it’s both a casino and a sports betting site.

PokerStars Casino Ontario

PokerStars was established in 2015. It’s operated by Flutter Entertainment, a renowned gaming group. PokerStars was a little late on the Ontario online casino scene, given that it opened its doors for the players in this province on June 28, 2023. Nevertheless, thanks to its recognizable name and a great selection of games, it managed to attract new players.

At PokerStars, you can enjoy live casino games, table games, and slots. Plus, you can engage in sports betting. The platform supports numerous payment methods and has apps available for both iPhone and Android users.

PlayOJO Casino Ontario

PlayOJO was established in 2016 and got both casino of the year and rising star casino rewards in 2017. The casino specializes in offering unique premium online gambling experiences. It is powered by SkillOnNet and offers over 3,000 games. Now it’s available to ON players.

With this big selection of games and fast withdrawal times, you will be able to have some fun and get your hands on your winnings in a limited time. 

What casino games are allowed in Ontario?

When it comes to the factors that contributed to gambling online in Ontario coming out of the grey area, the number of available games is perhaps the most important one. The province has legalized many casino games, thus enabling casinos to offer them through proper licensing. 

It simply means that you don’t have to look for a shady Ontario online casino to play your favourite game. The availability of all games allows you to play exclusively in legal casinos. With this in mind, let’s see what the most popular and available casino games are.

Online slots

There is a good reason why online slots are so popular nowadays. They feature really beautiful design and immersive graphics and sound effects. Most importantly, digital slot machines are really easy to play even though they offer many different themes, setups, and gameplay styles. Plus, you get to play them on any device, even your smartphone, when you are on the go.

Live Dealer

If you prefer live dealer games, you will be happy to discover that you can find them at an Ontario casino online. They are available across many Canadian online casinos, including those in Ontario. Sometimes, they are only available at specific times, which is why you should check the schedule of the live games on the site you find most attractive. 

Table games

Table games are not exclusive to land-based casinos. Thanks to new technologies, online casinos can offer them too. The good news is that you will be able to find a casino in Ontario Canada that has table games on its offer. As a matter of fact, due to their popularity, these games have become a standard at digital casinos too. 

Online Poker

Poker comes in many varieties, each one offering a unique and engaging experience. Online poker is allowed in Ontario. You can play anything ranging from the standard five-card poker to thrilling Texas Hold’em. 

Video Poker

Video poker is also available at Ontario online casinos. This online casino game based on the five-card draw poker is a digital version of the popular console game found in land-based casinos. That’s why many players call it a poker slot. 

Blackjack

When it comes to casino banking games, nothing beats blackjack. You can win real money playing this most widely played casino game online. The rules are the same, only this time you can play the game from the comfort of your home.

Online roulette

Online roulette is a popular casino game among both new players and avid gamblers. You can now try your luck online and have fun playing online roulette across many digital casinos in Ontario.

Craps

Many players find craps the most fun out of all games available in land-based casinos. You will be thrilled to learn that playing craps is allowed in Ontario-based digital casinos. While the game is playable online, it doesn’t lose its charm and remains equally engaging and fun as in traditional casinos.

Baccarat

Finally, baccarat is also the game allowed in Ontario online casinos. You will find it available at most of the best digital casinos in the province. You can play this card game from your desktop PC or laptop. 

Types of Bonuses You Can Expect When gambling online in Ontario

Before you gamble online in Ontario, you should learn all about the bonuses the casinos in this province offer. There are different types of bonuses – some are only offered to new players, while others are available to existing players. If you want to capitalize on welcome bonuses, the best option is to start playing for real cash with a large deposit. That’s simply because the first depot gives the biggest bonus.

Here are the types of bonuses you can expect when gambling online in Ontario:

1. Welcome Bonuses – welcome bonus is available to new players, and it often matches your first deposit. For instance, you can get double the money you deposit. A welcome offer also often comes with wagering requirements;
2. No Deposit Bonuses – these bonuses are available to new players who would rather experience the games before making a deposit. You simply receive the credit you can spend in the casino. It also comes with withdrawal limits;
3. Deposit Bonuses – similar to welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses reward players a multiple of the deposit after they open an account;
4. Free Spin Bonuses – Free spin bonuses are often attached to welcome bonuses for new players. Casinos also use them to promote new slot machines and award free play to existing players;
5. Reward Multipliers – reward multiplies are especially useful when it comes to promoting new slots and engaging more players. They are available during a limited time frame enabling players to get their winnings multiplied;
6. Loyalty Bonuses – these bonuses cater to the expectations of existing long-time casino players. They are usually awarded once a player reaches a specific milestone. A loyalty program includes bonus missions and challenges, level-up systems, and loyalty points.
7. Referral Bonuses – casinos also often award players who introduce new players to their platforms and games. Players can get bonus money if a new player performs a specific action such as registering an account with the casino or making the first deposit;
8. High Roller Rewards – high roller rewards are offered to players who make significant deposits. They are often bumped into the VIP ranks, which provides them with access to useful perks and exclusive events.

Which Software Providers Supply Ontario Online Casinos

An online casino in Ontario Canada is just like any other online casino in terms of offering a platform for players. The actual games, such as online slots available on the platform, come from the software providers. Casinos only source the games from these companies. Some of the leading game providers include Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Playtech and Play’n Go.

Each one of these providers offers unique games, and not all of them are available in all casinos. So if you prefer games by a specific provider, you need to ensure that the casino features their games before seriously committing to it.

Available Deposit and Withdrawal Methods in Ontario

Many players want to get informed about the available banking methods in online casinos before making the final choice. Online casinos in Ontario offer trusted, safe, and secure banking options to players. The most common deposit and withdrawal methods available to players in this province include:

• Visa;

• MasterCard;

• PayPal;

• ApplePay;

• Skrill;

• MuchBetter;

• NETELLER;

• ecoPayz;

• Trustly;

• INTERAC;

• iDebit;

• Wire transfer;

• Paysafecard;

• Neosurf;

• Bank Transfer;

• INSTADEBIT.

However, not all online casinos offer the same deposit and withdrawal methods. You should check the available banking options in the Ontario casino online that have your attention to ensure their offer suits your personal needs.

When it comes to the deposit and withdrawal limits, every online casino has expressly limited the amount a player can withdraw over a certain period. Due to best practices of responsible gambling online casinos in Ontario enable players to set the deposit limit over a period so they can have more control of the amount they spend.

The cashout times depend on the withdrawal method you choose. For instance, if you gamble online in Ontario using an e-wallet, it can take up to 1 hour to process your withdrawal request. If you opt for more traditional methods, it can take the casino to process your request up to 3 days.

Where Should You Play: Regulated vs Offshore Casino Sites

Before the online casinos in Ontario became regulated, many players legally played games at offshore online casinos. The real question is whether you should go offshore or choose an Ontario online casino.

Since the online casinos in this province act in the interests of Ontario players, they offer a couple of noteworthy advantages when compared to their offshore counterparts. First, you will be able to make deposits and request withdrawals in C$. 

Not to mention that AGCO protects your interests since the casinos are regulated and licensed in Ontario. The best practices of responsible gambling are tailored for Ontario players. In case of a dispute, you can use the services of local dispute resolution providers. Furthermore, you will have access to local customer support.

There are a couple of advantages offshore casino sites offer. They have a bigger selection of games, high deposit and withdrawal limits, and big progressive jackpots.

Comparing Online Casinos to Land-Based Ones in Ontario

Before you gamble online in Ontario, you probably want to discover what advantages it offers when compared to gambling in land casinos. 

With a registered account at one of Ontario’s online casinos, you can play anywhere in the province as long as you have an internet connection. Whether you are on the go or you are at home, you will be able to enjoy the same games you can find in land-based casinos without the hassle of getting there or waiting your turn. However, you won’t be able to socialize in person and meet the other gamers.

Legal Status for All Forms of Gambling in Ontario

Responsible Gambling in Ontario

In cooperation with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, iGaming has done a fantastic job bringing responsible gambling programs to players in Ontario. All online casinos in the province enable players to specify deposit limits during the registration. You can also set limits on sessions and losses or even request a timeout.

All players have access to a support centre hotline (1-800-387-0098) which they can call if they need additional support or help.  

What to do if you feel you might have a problem:

• Set a budget for your online gambling activities;

• Set deposit and losses limits;

• Make a schedule for your playing and stick to it;

• Request a timeout.

Useful Links:

• Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (1-888-230-3505)

• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Playing at an Online Casino Legally From Ontario

All licensed online casinos in Ontario use a range of geolocation tools to make sure that website visitors or app users are within Ontario borders. Only the players legally within the Ontario borders can access the online casinos and their mobile apps and play games.