Online Casinos Ontario

At GambleGuys Canada, we aim to provide you with all the most up-to-date information and news regarding gambling across this beautiful country. With sports betting and gambling fully legal and licensed in Ontario, there has never been a better time for residents of this beautiful province to enjoy all the latest gaming action at some of the top-rated online casinos. Indeed, online casinos in Ontario have fantastic slots, excellent live-dealer games, and sports betting – all at odds better than what you’d typically find at a traditional brick-and-mortar casino (and you don’t even have to leave your home to play these games!).

In this guide, we’ll explore the legality of these casinos, some of their advantages (and disadvantages), what games they offer, and how you can find some of the best-paying online casinos. Without further ado, let’s explore what makes online gambling in Ontario enjoyable.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Ontario?

Of course, the fundamental question that most would-be online gamblers in Ontario want to know is this: is online gambling legal in Ontario? The answer to this question is quite simple – it is!

Historically, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), a provincial Crown corporation responsible for overseeing lottery games and brick-and-mortar casinos, regulated most gambling within the province’s jurisdiction. However, the Criminal Code of Canada did not prohibit Canadian citizens from gambling online. As such, many Ontarians would wager money at offshore online casinos, existing in a little bit of a gray area – neither the government of Canada nor Ontario criminalized online offshore gambling per se, but it also wasn’t explicitly authorized.

However, with the rapid growth of online gambling, the Canadian and Ontario governments realized the need for a more comprehensive regulatory framework. After the legislatures passed a couple of crucial bills, regulated casinos by the OLG could legally operate within Ontario’s borders.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Ontario?

Much like the question above, the short answer to this one is: yes!

The legality of sports betting has had an interesting history in Canada. The original Criminal Code of Canada specifically outlawed single-game sports betting. However, as the Code said nothing about multi-game wagers, Canadians across the country were free to bet on sports as long as each bet was on the result of two games.

That all changed in 2021.

In August of that year, the Canadian federal government passed Bill C-218, which legalized single-event sports betting nationwide. This change allowed provinces to regulate single-event sports betting as they saw fit. No longer did the OLG have to require two games! After August, any province, including Ontario and online casinos in Ontario, could offer sports betting on single games.

That event led to the proliferation of sportsbooks that we see today, as many people love to bet on the outcome of a single game instead of needing to hit a parlay.

What Do I Need to Play at Online Casinos in Ontario?

With completely legal sports and casino betting, many prospective gamblers ask: what do I need to play at one of these fantastic online casinos?

The answer is simple. You only need three things:

• A good home internet connection
• A physical location in Ontario
• Some documentation ( Legal players must be 19 years or older)

In particular, you’ll want an internet connection capable of streaming video (for live games) and a reliable one. There’s nothing worse than being unable to place a bet or see the outcome of a spin because your internet connection has dropped or are experiencing issues. If you like to play on your phone, remember this so you don’t play in places with poor signals.

All regulated casinos in Ontario require you to be physically present to gamble on their sites. You cannot place any wagers from outside the province’s borders. Many sites will use highly sophisticated tracking mechanisms of a user’s location, including special software you must download to verify that you are actually in Ontario. This requirement also means you cannot gamble online while travelling outside the province.

Lastly, as for documentation, all casinos, including those in Ontario, have KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations. These rules require all online casinos to verify their customers, including the source of the funds, before accepting wagers or issuing withdrawals. You’ll often have to upload some form of ID, such as a driver’s license or a passport, as well as supporting documentation that proves your address, like a bank statement or utility bill and as well your age ( in order to play at Onlatrio licensed casinos, a player must be 19 years or older). It’s worth noting that this requirement applies to any online casino, not just ones in Ontario.

Other than that, you don’t need anything else to play. All you need to do is create an account at one of the top Ontario casinos and start playing some of the hottest online games!

What Are Some Advantages of Online Casinos Ontario?

Ontario residents enjoy access to a wide variety of land-based casino options. For those living in the GTA, there are brick-and-mortar casinos in Niagara and Orillia, and a new casino is coming to Woodbine. Windsor has a casino, as do many smaller cities around the province. So, what are some of the advantages that online casinos in Ontario Canada have over these other offerings?

Here are three advantages of choosing to gamble at one of these casinos.

Convenience

Online gambling offers a level of convenience and accessibility that is truly unmatched by land-based casinos. With just a few clicks or taps, players can access various games from the comfort of their homes or on the go without travelling to a physical casino. Having this ease of accessibility saves time and resources, and also allows individuals to enjoy their favourite games at their own pace.

Additionally, online gaming is available 24/7. Online casinos are available if you work odd schedules, are a night owl or an early bird, or love to place a few bets during your lunch break. However, driving to a land-based casino at off-hours or for short periods can be difficult, especially if that casino does not have 24/7 hours.

Regulation

With the legalization of online gambling, including sports betting, in Ontario, some casinos offered within the region now have the oversight of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. As a crown corporation, this organization has the ability and direction to ensure that online offerings have the same stringent rules and ethics as the land-based offerings in the province.

Of course, just because the Ontario-based offerings are now, legal doesn’t mean the offshore casinos are no longer permitted. You can still bet with all your favourite casinos that receive their license from Malta, Curaçao, and more.

Living in Ontario means you can find the casino that makes you feel the most comfortable. If you trust the Ontario government, you can find an OLG-regulated casino. If you prefer a casino from another jurisdiction, those are still legal.

Deposit, Play, and Withdraw in Canadian Dollars

When dealing with online casinos Ontario 2024, you know that you’re playing in Canadian dollars (unless you want to play in crypto, in which case some crypto-based casinos work in Ontario). No more losing money on deposits due to the exchange rate from CAD to USD or CAD to EUR. With these casinos in Ontario, you can have confidence that you’re playing in the same currency as you would if you were at a land-based casino.

Additionally, you can deposit and withdraw money using your preferred Canadian payment methods, including Interac e-transfers, credit and debit cards, direct bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, and more. Such a wide variety of ways means you’ll find it easy to move money into your favourite online casino in Ontario and out to your Canadian bank account.

What Are Some Cons of Online Casinos Ontario?

There are not many cons to playing at legal Ontario online casinos over the casinos you’ll find throughout the province. However, you may wish to consider a couple of downsides.

Playing Online Loses Some of the Travel Experience

In Ontario, many of the bigger casinos are closer to the US border and, as such, can be a nice little getaway for Ontarians. In particular, the two casinos and hotels in Niagara Falls can be a relaxing little vacation where you can enjoy the falls and have some fun gambling. And, if you play enough, you might get some rooms comped or at a discounted rate.

Online gambling does not have that same experience. However, with that said, many online casinos have travel perks if you play enough. For example, some online casinos will have contests for WSOP tournaments in Las Vegas or other tournaments to win a trip to some exotic destination. Travel can be a part of online gambling, but it is one difference to remember, especially if visiting a casino is also a vacation typically.

Additionally, it is worth noting that online gambling does not limit your vacation options. You can still travel and take the casino with you!

You Need a Good Internet Connection

Ontario is a large province, and, unfortunately, internet connections can vary from region to region, especially in rural Ontario vs. the larger cities like Toronto and Ottawa. It’s also worth noting that many internet providers in Ontario have some form of data caps, and online gambling contributes to the overall data you use.

The good news is that online gambling doesn’t use too much data, so you should be ok unless you have a poor connection. Live casino games use the most data as they require streaming video, but classic table games, slots, and sports betting use minimal data overall. It is something to remember, especially if you’re looking to play your favourite games in remote locations or on your cell phone, where connections can sometimes be spotty – especially in rural towns.

You Can Only Play from Ontario

As per the law, online casinos in Ontario can only accept players from Ontario who are physically within the province. If you take a trip to Montreal, for example, you can’t play at an online casino licensed by the OLG in Ontario because you are no longer within the Ontario borders.

As a corollary to this con, many of these casinos strictly ensure that players are within the provincial boundaries. Some casinos even use sophisticated software that uses all sorts of signals to ensure players are where they say they are. Therefore, you may find more stringent tech requirements when playing at these online casinos than in other jurisdictions.

Providers Can Offer but not Advertise Bonuses

Lastly, this con is a bit of a quirk of the law and may change in the future: online casinos in Ontario can offer bonuses but cannot advertise based on them. Therefore, if you see an ad for an online casino in Ontario, you likely won’t see any information about what bonuses it may or may not offer. You may see some information about it when you visit the website, but it won’t be in the advertisement. More precisely, casinos cannot attract customers with exciting bonuses.

Therefore, before signing up with any online casino Ontario, we highly encourage you to check out its review on GambleGuys. We will dive into as many of the casino’s attributes as we legally can to give you the most informed decision possible.

What Types of Bonuses Are Available at Online Casinos in Ontario?

Online casinos in Ontario offer many different types of bonuses designed to attract new customers and rewards continued to play. Recall that casinos cannot advertise these bonuses, so you may have to read the site carefully to learn about them. In particular, those looking to place wagers at these casinos should look for three distinct types of bonuses.

Welcome Bonus

A welcome bonus is a promotional offer online casinos extend to attract new players and encourage them to register. Typically, these bonuses immediately boost a player’s initial bankroll, giving them more opportunities to explore the casino’s gaming options and potentially win larger payouts. Welcome bonuses can come in various forms, such as matched deposit bonuses, where the casino matches a certain percentage of the player’s first deposit, or no-deposit bonuses, which grant bonus funds or free spins without requiring any initial deposit.

For example, an online casino in Ontario might offer a 100% match up to $500 for the patron’s first deposit. So, if you register and deposit $500, the casino will add $500 to your bankroll, increasing the total to $1,000. Casinos may add free spins on a slot machine, too. For example, in addition to that extra $500 in the example above, a casino may additionally provide 100 free spins on one of their newest slot machine games.

Many welcome bonuses come with multiple terms and conditions, so reviewing those before accepting the bonus is essential. In particular, you’ll want to pay attention to any rollover requirements. In casino-speak, the rollover amount is the amount you must wager before the bonus is yours. Typically, casinos require a 40x rollover, so you must wager 40x your initial deposit before the casino will release the bonus funds to you. This requirement helps prevent bonus abuse, where someone could make the deposit, get the bonus, and cash it out immediately.

Reload Bonuses

Reload bonuses are promotional offers that online casinos use to reward existing players and motivate them to continue depositing and playing on their platforms. Like welcome bonuses, reload bonuses provide additional funds or benefits to players but typically apply to subsequent deposits made after the initial one. This way, casinos maintain an ongoing relationship with their patrons and keep them engaged with their casino offerings.

For instance, an online casino in Ontario could offer a 50% reload bonus up to $250 for a player’s second deposit. In this scenario, if you deposit $500, the casino will contribute an extra $250 to your bankroll, increasing the total to $750. And, like welcome bonuses, reload bonuses may include free spins on popular or featured slot machine games as an added incentive.

It’s important to note that reload bonuses often come with terms and conditions that players should carefully review before participating. Indeed, reload bonuses often come with their own set of wagering requirements that players must meet to cash out the bonus funds.

Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are a common feature in online casinos, designed to reward regular players for their continued patronage and engagement with the platform. These programs aim to foster a sense of commitment and appreciation among players, encouraging them to remain active and maintain a long-term relationship with the casino. Players can unlock various benefits by participating in a loyalty program. These perks include exclusive bonuses, cashback offers, and other valuable perks, making their gaming experience more fun and exciting.

Typically, loyalty programs in online casinos follow a tiered structure, with players progressing through different levels based on their accumulated points or wagering activity. Points are often earned by placing bets or participating in specific games, and as players get more points, they advance to higher tiers, unlocking increasingly attractive rewards. Higher levels may grant access to exclusive events, personalized customer service, faster withdrawals, and even luxurious gifts or vacation packages. At some online casinos, the highest tiers even come with customized concierge services to ensure the most rewarding gaming experiences!

In addition to tier-based rewards, many online casinos offer periodic promotions or bonuses exclusively for loyal players. These can include deposit bonuses, free spins, or cashback offers tied to a player’s activity or status within the loyalty program. By participating in these programs and taking advantage of the exclusive benefits, players can maximize their enjoyment and increase their winnings while playing at their favourite online casino.

Loyalty and VIP programs are some of a casino’s best promotions/bonuses. Not all casinos offer them, but if you find one that does, it should be on your shortlist to check out!

What Games Are Available at Online Casinos Ontario?

Ontario has no restrictions on games that online casinos can offer. As such, you’ll find all your favourite games at these casinos, including all the latest and greatest slots, table games, live dealer games, and sportsbook offerings. You’ll even be able to play poker for casinos that have it. Here’s what you can expect if you sign up with one of these fantastic online casinos.

Slots

When you decide to gamble at real money casinos in Ontario, you can enjoy all your favourite games, including those inspired by various subjects, including popular culture, mythology, history, and more. Players can find slots based on their favourite movies, TV shows, or even musical acts, as well as those that take them on a journey through ancient civilizations or into the realm of fantasy.

You can also find a slot with the gameplay mechanics you want. For example, if you love five-reel video slots with action-packed bonuses, those games are available. If you prefer traditional three-reel games with bars and cherries, the Ontario online casinos have those, too.

Online slots typically pay far better than land-based ones. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) mandates that all slot machines in the province pay at least 85%. However, the average RTP across all casinos within Ontario is approximately 92%. Conversely, online slots typically feature an RTP of 96% or higher. Some games even go as high as 99%! Statistically, your money will go further (over time) at an online casino than it will play at one of the land options in Ontario.

Table Games

Online casinos invariably have a wide selection of enjoyable table games at far lower limits than traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.

At most online casinos in Ontario, you’ll find games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Let It Ride, Sic Bo, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Four Card Poker.

Many games will also have various rule variants, so you can play your favourite table games just as you want. For example, finding single-deck blackjack or single-zero roulette at online casinos is standard, while finding either of those games at land-based casinos in Ontario is not.

And, if the casino you use has a license from a reputable source, you can rest assured that the games are entirely random, with the same odds as if you played the same type of table game at a land-based casino.

Live Dealer Games

The best live dealer games at online casinos offer players an authentic and immersive gaming experience, simulating the atmosphere of a real-life casino. Leading game companies like Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and NetEnt, continually innovate to create platforms that deliver high-quality live casino entertainment.

You’ll feel like you’re at the table at live dealer casinos, as these games have a live stream that players interact with and watch for all their favourite games, like blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. You’ll find some unique offerings, too. For example, Evolution has introduced unique and exciting games such as Lightning Roulette and Monopoly Live, which combine traditional casino gaming elements with innovative features like random multipliers and interactive bonus rounds, adding an extra layer of excitement for players.

Casinos licensed in Ontario offer all these live dealer games, so you’ll feel the same excitement as being at a casino from the comfort of your home!

Sportsbook and Poker Offerings

Lastly, many online casinos in Ontario and abroad offer sportsbook and poker options. If you love either game, you’ll love what these Ontario casinos provide.

Sportsbooks allow players to place bets on various sports events, ranging from popular leagues like the NHL, NBA, and UEFA Champions League to niche sports like darts or snooker. Now that single-game sports betting is legal in Ontario, casinos licensed in the province can offer all the same sports betting options as those offshore. Placing bets on the games makes them significantly more exciting and fun to watch – imagine not only seeing your favourite teams, like the Leafs or Senators, win but knowing that their wins also make you some money!

Taking off in the 2000s, online poker remains one of these casinos’ hottest games. These platforms cater to players of all skill levels, featuring games like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud, along with innovative variations like Fast-Fold Poker and Spin & Go tournaments. And they cater to all bankroll levels. You don’t need to bring hundreds to a poker room in a land-based casino. You can play from the comfort of your home for far less money. Or, if you want to play for sizable sums, that’s also an option online.

If you love sports or poker, rest assured that you can find these at online casinos in Ontario.

How Can I Find the Best Paying Casinos in Ontario in 2024?

Most online casinos carry various games that each set their return-to-player amounts. Some online games let casinos set the RTP manually. For example, a game may offer a 93% variant and a 95% variant of the same game, and it’s up to the casino to pick which one to carry. Casinos can also adjust what games they offer, avoiding ones that offer very high returns.

With that all said, Ontario’s best-paying casinos are typically those with three key characteristics.

First, they must offer a wide selection of games. Casinos that provide many games are likely to offer the highest-paying ones. Look for casinos with some of the highest RTP slots we have identified in the past, as they will be the best-paying casinos. Additionally, look for casinos that offer table games with the best odds. For example, single-zero roulette has significantly better odds than double-zero or triple-zero roulette. The more odds you can put behind the line in craps, the better returns you’ll get, so if you see a casino restricting those significantly, it’s likely not the highest-paying in other ways. Many other games, like blackjack, also have variations that boost player returns.

Secondly, they have a proper license from the Ontario government or another government body. A proper license demonstrates that the casino has regular audits and oversight to ensure that all games are random and it deals with player funds in a manner that preserves fiduciary duty.

Lastly, casinos that are the best paying also typically have great reviews. If you find an Ontario casino here on GambleGuys Canada with a positive review, there’s a good chance it’s one of the best-paying. The top-paying casinos have great promotions and returns, leading to great reviews!

What Are Some of the Best Online Casinos in Ontario?

There are many fantastic online casinos in Ontario, the question as a prospective gambler is: which ones are the best? Or, perhaps more accurately, how can you tell one of the best casinos from all the others?

Great casinos have fantastic reviews. If you see a casino with a high rating here at GambleGuys, that’s how you know it’s one of the best casinos in Ontario. Genuinely exceptional casinos get noticed rapidly since they are so much above the rest.

Additionally, the best casinos usually have fantastic ongoing bonuses and promotions. Many of our top-rated casinos have exceptional bonuses that have realistic terms and conditions associated with them. High welcome bonuses and frequent promotions show that a casino is willing to put significant effort and money into attracting new customers. If they can do that, they’ll be serious about retaining those customers through a quality experience.

Lastly, look at a casino’s customer support options. The best casinos have at least live chat and email as options for support. If they also have a way to call someone, even better. However, as long as they have a way to get in touch with a customer support agent right away, that’s the critical functionality the casino must have.

What Should I Look for in New Online Casinos Ontario?

If you encounter a new casino that doesn’t seem to have much on it (perhaps we don’t have a review about it yet on GambleGuys), are there any characteristics that can help you identify whether it is worth checking out? The short answer is that yes, there are some clues that an online casino gives that can help you decide if it’s for you, even if it’s brand new.

The most crucial aspect to look for is a valid license. If a casino does not have a valid license and does not have much online about it, avoid it. That could be a sign of an unscrupulous property. Look for a valid gaming license from the Ontario government or some other trusted regulatory authority.

Next, look for any bonus offerings and, in particular, read the fine print. As discussed above, pay close attention to the terms and conditions. Look for anything unreasonable, like rollover requirements that exceed 50x or a minimal selection of bonus-eligible games. These terms may indicate that the online casino is not serious about paying any bonus win.

Finally, take a look at the overall casino website. Does it feel authentic, genuine, and cohesive? Trust your instinct. A new online casino that’s trustworthy and positive will be well-designed and well-thought-out because it has the backing of a corporate entity. If you get the sense that the site is something someone threw together in a day, that is a sign that perhaps that new casino is not suitable for you.

Banking Options Available at Ontario Online Casinos

When you play at online casinos in Ontario, you will have a wide variety of banking options, most of which will feel very familiar. Since these online casinos specifically cater to the Ontario market, they feature banking methods that Ontarians would expect.

In particular, at most online casinos in Ontario, you can bank with the following methods:

• Electronic bank transfers – transfer money directly to and from your chequing and savings accounts.
• Interac e-transfers – you can deposit and withdraw money using Interac, which means these are as close to instantaneous as possible.
• Credit cards – you can make deposits with credit cards and, usually, withdrawals, too. Most casinos accept both VISA and MasterCard.

Many of these casinos also support payment methods that you will find at most other online casinos, including Neteller, Skrill, and other e-wallet services.

Some online casinos even support cryptocurrencies, so if you have some Bitcoin, Litecoin, or Ethereum you want to gamble with, some online casinos in the Ontario market will take that. Please note that most of these online casinos will convert your crypto into Canadian dollars on deposit and back to crypto on withdrawal. Some casinos, though, offer the ability to play in crypto, avoiding the necessity to convert from crypto to fiat and back again.

Online Casinos Ontario: A World of Fun Awaits!

Gambling online has come a long way in the past 10-15 years. The advances in technology and internet speeds have allowed for experiences that surpass what you’ll find at land-based casinos now. Even if you love going to the various casinos around Ontario, you should check out online casinos in Ontario and experience the thrills they offer. From slots to table games, live dealers, poker, sports betting, and more, these online casinos offer everything you could ever want in an online gambling experience.

As always, check out GambleGuys for all the hottest gaming action. We extensively cover casinos all across Canada, including the ones you can find in Ontario and even new online casinos in Ontario. We rate and review casinos to help you discover the ones with the most games, the best customer service, and the most convenient payment methods. Indeed, if you’re looking for the best online casinos in Ontario, check out the ones we have reviewed here at GambleGuys.