Best Online Casinos and gambling sites in Ontario December 2025

Ontario is arguably the best place for Canadian gamblers. With over 80 licensed Ontario online casinos, as well as a number of classic brick-and-mortar venues – there’s something for everyone to enjoy here. But how can one find the best online casinos for themselves? We’re going to teach you how!

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario holds up pretty high standards already, so it’s really up to nitpicking and hair-splitting. It is especially hard, considering players aren’t always well-versed in the nuances of casino business and won’t pick up on certain minute details. Well, today is the day we teach you how to elevate your gambling from fun to spectacular!

How to Get Started with Ontario Online Casinos

Now, if you are completely new to this field, there may be some hesitation about the way things work. It can be understandably overwhelming to start, considering that usual registration requirements at an online casino Ontario will require you to provide some of your personal information. And, sure, phone numbers and emails aren’t that sensitive of information to share, but then there’s your real name, gender, age… this can be easily concerning. Now, before you get properly scared, we are here to calm you down – this is normal.

See, casinos need this information to operate legally. They need to be sure they are not providing services to underage people or supporting money laundering. That requires some form of identification and background checks (if any suspicious activity is detected). So, now that we’ve cleared your suspicions, let’s get to the detailed explanation of the processes you will need to take part in.

Steps to sign up and play

While all the best Ontario online casinos have slightly different sign-up processes, there are still some things that you will certainly need to do. Here, we will give a generalized plan as to what you should expect out of your sign-up process. You know, just to make sure you’re not caught off-guard.

Depositing money

Making a deposit isn’t really that complicated. It is however nerve-wracking. Sharing your payment information with any third party seems dangerous, especially if we are talking about the grey area that is off-shore online casinos. The key here is to snuff out the casino beforehand. See if the payment options seem legit, check out the forums and reviews for the casino and how their payments work. Pay additional attention to payout times stated on the online casino and the payouts that players actually experience. If there’s a pattern, where many players spend more time than claimed waiting for their payment – this is a reason to sound the alarms.

Sure that everything is okay? Great! Now you can make a deposit. Usually, to deposit any amount of money, you will need to go to the payments section and select “deposit”. It may look a little different depending on the venue, but shouldn’t be hard to locate. Afterwards, you will be asked to pick the payment method. Click on it and the pop-up window will appear. There you will need to fill in the form with all your payment information. Sometimes you will also be asked to pick a bonus to attach to your deposit. Legal and regulated casinos do not retain any of your payment information and only act as a third party. So don’t be scared to enter your information, if you are playing at a licensed casino.

Picking and starting games

Now that your casino account is set, your bank is full and you’re all fired up to play it’s time to choose a game! Let’s preface this by saying probably the most obvious rule to picking a game – you need to enjoy it. This is the core factor. Gambling is a leisure activity, a hobby, and an entertainment venue. It is not made for gains and you should realise it. If you don’t enjoy the game, even if it’s the most profitable game ever – you’re wasting time. So do not hesitate to play demos and figure out whether you like something or not. There are ways to maximize your wins and minimize your losses, but we will go more into detail about them later down the line, so stay tuned!

Once you choose a game to play, you will need to just click on the icon of this game at the online casino. This will open up a web app with the game. Read through the rules before you start playing to learn all the combinations and bonuses you can expect in a game. Then, set your bet amount (we recommend going lower to extend the gameplay) and after that, you can start spinning the reels, playing your cards or watching the roulette spin. It’s just as simple as that!

Requirements for players

To play at any kind of casino in Ontario, you will have to be over 19 years old. For that very reason, most Ontario online casinos will ask you to provide your ID after you open your gambling account. Off-shore casinos are more lax, often relying on the trust of their players, but even then you may be asked to provide an ID or bank statements if they have any suspicions about the legality of you using their services. Do not hesitate to provide them with all the needed information, but be sure to check all the emails you receive for fraud. In rare cases, scammers will reach out to you, posing as casino officials and will try getting your information under the guise of verifying your account. Reach out to customer support of the casino through different channels to verify that the letter you received was sent by them.

Also, if you are planning to pay at an Ontario casino, you will have to be physically located in Ontario. Ontario online casinos are forbidden from operating out of state, so please keep it in mind before you settle for an Ontario casino.

Legal and Regulatory Information

Ontario legal space is strictly regulated and safe, you can be sure that no matter what you do, you will be safe and sound. As long as you also follow the word of the law, of course! To stay up to date and informed about all the legal steps that ensure your safety, we have prepared a guide with all you need to know about the legal regulations around gambling in Ontario.

How online gambling is regulated in Ontario

Online gambling falls under the watch of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, who supervise all gambling-related issues, both concerning the land based casinos and the best Ontario online casinos. Any casino regulated by iGaming Ontario is leagues above any off-shore venue in terms of privacy and safety, but it comes with some downsides like some games being unavailable for players.

Gaming authorities

The Ontario Lottery and Gambling Corporation, the abbreviation they’re more famously known as – OLG, is responsible for the current safe and prospering gambling climate in the Ontario area. Their efforts to coordinate, control and uplift not only the classic gambling venues( lotteries, land based casinos, etc.), but more unconventional avenues of the gambling market (iGaming) has led to great success in terms of gambling in Canada. Not only did their efforts make gambling a continuous contributor to the state’s wealth, but also made it less harmful for the people involved, installing solid rules that every casino, even the best Ontario online casinos abide by. OLG operators must abide by the strict rules set by the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario to keep their businesses legal and profitable. The legal framework makes the casinos follow very strict rules, forcing them to provide sport and event betting products, in accordance with the highest standards of operation and advertising guidelines.

Legal status of different gambling types

License allows for a rather wide range of options when it comes to gambling types. Raffles, pull tickets, lotteries, bingo, slot machines, and even some sports betting options are available for players' enjoyment. Most players prefer to spend their time spinning reels on online slot games, but table games like poker and blackjack are almost as popular as online slots.

All the best casino games, on licensed Canadian casino, offer a minimum of 85% RTP rate, ensuring the players don’t leave empty-handed. In reality, this number is even higher, with most online casino slots being around 95% RTP. This is caused by the player demand, as the general gambling community has long learned that high RTP is the key to a good time.

Taxes on winnings

If you don’t consider yourself a professional gambler and only view gambling as a leisure time activity – you won’t have to worry about taxes. However, if a large part of your income comes from gambling – that will make you responsible for paying a tax of 15% to 33%. This rule is applied to all forms of gambling from lottery to Ontario online casinos. But really, a professional gambler is a person, making a living on gambling, which is a rather rare occurrence. If your living isn’t earned through your gambling, the chances of you being obliged to pay taxes are minimal.

Ontario online casinos are obligated to pay taxes, for obvious reasons, so sometimes a cut of your winnings can be taken towards paying the tax by an online casino. The amount is usually really low and you will still receive the largest chink of your winnings, no matter what.

Popular Ontario online casino games

Ah, games – that’s what we’re here for! All the gamblers are here to play in one way or another. Games are the most exciting and enjoyable parts of your casino experience and other things like bonuses or community interactions merely make the playing process better. Canadian players are lucky, as they are allowed to play virtually all the games in existence, no matter the type, style or risk level. Of course, some games are limited for Canadians as their content may be offensive or fraudulent, but the range of options barely suffers from that. 

With this variety, it’s no wonder new players often find themselves struggling to pick their games. Do not worry, we’re here to help you choose all of your options. Let’s start with a short introduction to all the different types of best casino games.

Slots

There’s no arguing that online slots took over the world in a landslide. Most gamblers all over the globe prefer online slots to any other online casino game there is. Canadians are no different, with over a third of all gamblers mainly playing slot machines regularly.

You may be wondering why that is and the answer is actually rather complex. First, online slots offer very simple, straightforward gameplay. You make a deposit, you choose your bet size and you click spin – that’s the main gameplay loop. But that sounds boring, right? Well, slot games make it exciting with all the added features, mini-games, bonuses and multipliers.

Secondly, online slots never lack variety. Classic slot, jackpot slots, video slots – you can find virtually any game to fit your specific needs, be it aesthetic or function. Do you want a high RTP vampire-themed slot with beautiful graphics and many bonuses? Here’s Bloodsuckers! Want a cosmic adventure low volatility slot? That’s Starburst for you. Want a good Jackpot slot? Try Mega Moolah. Almost any idea that you have already exists as a slot.

Last, but not least it’s the quality. Because the mechanics aren’t that complex, game providers can allow themselves to focus on looks a little. The graphics available for online slots are the best you can get out of any casino game. Which of course adds to the overall enjoyment.

Table games

Taking the second space in popularity, table games are without a doubt deserving of this title. Table games are a broad category of digitized best casino games, like poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Each game deserves its own discussion, but for the sake of brevity, we’d rather do an overview. As you might know, all the table games have their own variations and rules, so say, an American casino and a French casino offer you completely different types of roulette. It is the case for online table games too. Every good casino has at least a few options for every game. You’ll find a casino offers more, than a casino that offers less, but you will have options either way. But that’s why you need to pay close attention to the rules beforehand, or you will get yourself in trouble.

Live dealer games

Live dealer games are a natural evolution of casino gambling. If you want to play a table game, but do not wish to battle a computer, preferring your games to have a human touch – live dealer games are for you. During Live dealer games, you will be able to play with real people, also sitting at home before their computers, ready to face off with you. Your game will be curated by a live dealer – an actual casino dealer, specializing in holding online events. The dealer can help you with any question and will oversee the table, making sure the game is fair for all players. It has only one downside: the dealers can’t work non-stop. So, you may need to wait for your favourite dealer to come back or start a new session of live dealer games, but hey, it’s the same in real life too, so, while annoying, this is certainly not a dealbreaker.

Bingo, lottery, crash games

More unconventional games also found a home at online casinos. Whether you enjoy the low risks of a lottery or the warmth the social aspect of bingo brings – they’re here for you. As for the crash games? Well, there’s plenty of those, too! Though they do not have as much popularity as some other titles available for play, if you’re a fan of exciting fast gameplay crash games deliver – there are some places that carry these types of games.

You are probably familiar with the concept of lottery – a game where you draw a ticket with random number combinations, then the numbers are drawn at random and you win based on how well the numbers match. The same goes for bingo, where you have a sheet with numbers and the first person that hits a line on their sheet from the randomly picked numbers – wins the most.

Crash games might be unfamiliar to many of you. In crash games you place a bet and watch that bet rise, multiplying in value. Your aim is to get your bet back before it crashes. If you withdraw before the crash – you get your bet multiplied. If you fail to withdraw – you lose your bet. The trick is to find a balance between withdrawing your funds fast enough that you still win and not doing it too fast, so you can win bigger.
 

Game Guides and Recommendations

Now that you know the major variety? It’s time to make up your mind and choose a game you wanna play. However, if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, there are a few rules that you might want to know beforehand.

While gambling is simply a leisure activity, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try and raise your chances of making your hobby a little more profitable. We recommend not putting much importance on the winning aspect, but simply trying to minimize monetary losses. It will keep your mind sane and your pockets full. So, what can you do to maximize the wins?

Best online casino games in Ontario

All gamblers have their own opinions about which games are the best. It really depends on perspective. For some, the games with the best graphics are the cream of the crop and others would rather look at an outdated game that consistently brings in the wins. To call a game the best, you’d need to define what “best” is. We’re no philosophers, so instead, we’ve just compiled a list of the most popular, well-made games with high RTP. These games can technically be called “the best” in their respective genres:

Hopefully, our picks satisfy your cravings, but if not – feel free to do your own research!  Finding your favourite game takes time and effort. The perfect game for you exists, but you will need to find it and that may prove difficult to some. Continue reading and you will find out how to choose the ultimate slot for yourself.

Tips for choosing games with high RTP

While high RTP is necessary to get the best results in your gambling, choosing the right high RTP title is a little more complicated than it may seem. 

First, let’s discuss what RTP means. You may have seen these three letters all over the net if you ever were in online gambling circles. RTP stands for Return To Player and indicates the percentage of money that Ontario players win back on average, during their time playing. In Canada, for slots to perform legally, they need to be at least over 85% RTP, but as we mentioned earlier, usually the percentage is way higher. High RTP doesn’t guarantee you a win, because this is still an average percentage. So, if you betted 100$ one day, but didn’t win much and then gained 95$ the next day from the first pull – statistically you have won 95% of your money back. So, don’t feel discouraged when the wins don’t come as soon as you hit play.

To choose the right high RTP slot for yourself you need to take into consideration factors like volatility, theme, gameplay and software providers. These things are what makes you actually like the game. If you love high-risk, high-reward games – choose a game with high volatility, but if you’d rather win small amounts often, then low volatility it is. Do you want to play a classic three-reeler, a modern megaways with countless winning combinations or maybe the regular video slot with pretty graphics? Choose as your heart desires! There are countless themes to choose from from ancient Egypt to the shiny cyberpunk – there’s gotta be something you like. And with quality software – there are endless possibilities for entertaining and productive play. Just consider all the possibilities beforehand to maximize the enjoyment.

Playing the latest games for free

If there’s a hot new game on your radar, you’d want to try it, won’t you? But at the same time, nobody wants to waste money on something they’re not sure about. Well, in that case, you can easily access a free trial of the game, before you decide to commit to it. All Ontario casinos have an option to play the games for free. Simply click on the title you’re interested in and click “Demo mode”, “Free Trial”, “Free Game” or any other variation of the term. That will transfer you to a demo version of the game that has all the same gameplay features, bonuses and symbol combinations as the regular game. You will be given a set amount of in-game money that you can use as you wish, but be mindful, that this amount will not be reset during your play session. Test out as many mechanics as possible, so that when it’s time to play for real money – you’re prepared.

Payment and Banking Options

Ontario players regularly note that banking is the number one factor that affects the enjoyment they get from the games. It all starts and ends with banking, so it’s not easy to set off your gambling experience on a wrong note from the get-go if the payment options at a casino are subpar.

To avoid this, always be mindful of the casino you’re choosing and check out their payment options beforehand. Look not only for the specific options you prefer but also the ones that are internationally recognised as safe and secure payments, like Visa, Mastercard, Interac and PayPal. Why? Well, because the mere presence of these options serves as a guarantee of safety. Big payment providers do not deal with fraudulent or questionable casinos, as they would never risk their reputation over this.

Overview of available payment methods

There are a lot of payment options Canadians can choose from. They are all different in transaction time, minimum deposit and maximum withdrawal amounts. So how can you choose which one to use? To be completely fair, there’s no right or wrong choice, just a difference in how you want to receive and keep your money. If you want the security of making a direct transaction with your bank and don’t care for the wait – do it! But you can fasten this process a bit through various e-transfer services or e-wallets. You can use your regular card for payments, but if you are unfortunate to use it at a fraudulent online casino, there’s a high chance of getting your payment information stolen. Instead, you can choose to use a prepaid card, with a fixed limit, that will not lead scammers to you. Or maybe you’re a crypto enthusiast, looking to make your winnings into investments. Every method is valid. Here’s a list of options, available for Canadians:

Already figured out what you’re gonna use? Wonderful!  Any option from the list above would be a nice choice, as all of them have been proven to be safe and secure payments by thousands of gamblers and gamers. Just make sure you’re playing at a licensed venue with good security and you’re golden!

Deposit and withdrawal processes

If this is your first time making a deposit at an online casino – don’t worry. The process isn’t nearly as complicated as it may seem. All you need to do is finish your registration and then go to your profile. There you will be able to see either a “Deposit” button or a “Payments” section with a deposit option inside. Check all the information about deposit limits beforehand! Click these buttons and it will transport you to the screen, where you will be able to choose your payment option. Click it and the window will pop up. There, you will need to enter your payment information and the amount you want to deposit and make sure it fits the deposit limits. Sometimes you will be offered to add a bonus to your deposit during this step. Make sure you fit the minimum deposit bonus criteria. Once you’re finished, the money will be added to your account immediately and you will be able to start playing. Easy, right?

It’s almost the same for withdrawals. You follow the same steps in the beginning, but instead of “Deposit” you will have to click “Withdraw”. You will be then transported to a similar page. Where you will have to choose a payment option and enter your payment information and the amount of money you want to withdraw. It’s important to note that some deposit options do not allow for a withdrawal, so please check it beforehand and make sure you have access to payment options available for withdrawal.

Mobile Play and Apps

Computers used to be a must-have for most people. You’d need a laptop for work or food school, no matter your field or specialty. But nowadays a big chunk of the workload can be easily done on your phone. Many people don’t even use computers at all! So, with this development, it’s no wonder why the entertainment industry also followed this trend. Most Ontario online casinos nowadays have an option for mobile play available, either in the form of mobile apps or a mobile version of the online casino. Or both! It is basically a common courtesy to allow players to choose whether they want to play on their phones or computers.

Mobile browser casinos vs. downloadable apps

There’s always a debate amongst the players, who prefer mobile play on whether playing on casino apps is better or worse than playing in a mobile browser. On one hand, you have the casino apps offering you the convenience of fast access to your account and all of the games global in just two taps. On the other hand, the mobile browser version doesn't waste any of your phone memory and is accessible no matter the model of your phone, while some casino apps will not work on older phones. Frankly, it’s a matter of personal preference and comfort. Both gaming methods allow for the same level of experience, given that the online casino you’re playing at is a high-quality venue.

Compatibility with iOS and Android

It is a little ironic, how the age-old dilemma on Android vs iOS has impacted the world. So many aspects of our lives are greatly impacted by the simple decision of which phone is better. Even at an online casino, this dilemma will affect your playing experience.
If your method of choice to play at a mobile online casino is a mobile browser, you won't have to worry about compatibility. Any mobile version of the online casino is adapted to all kinds of mobile browsers, so it doesn’t matter if the online casino is opened on an iOS device or an Android.

As for the casino apps, Android and iOS users will have to install different casino apps on their phones. Usually, websites have separate links or buttons to download casino apps for either Android or iOS. The installation process for casino apps isn’t that different, with the exception that Android devices require changing settings before you start out to make your apk download possible.

land based  casinos in Ontario

Now, if you’re tired of sitting at home at your computer and want to get out, party and play live casino games, you still need to be careful while choosing where to go and what to do. Ontario has had legal casinos around as far as the 1990s, so there’s a bit of history behind some venues. The choices aren't slim, as there are over 20 legal casinos where you can play live casino games. There are a few Ontario casino resorts, regulated by iGaming Ontario (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario), that Ontario residents can visit freely. So, let’s dive in and see what’s on offer in the top most popular land based casinos in Canada.

Fallsview Casino Resort

Fallsview gets its name from being located right above Niagara Falls, offering its visitors breathtaking views and great service. There, you can rent one of the 372 rooms to stay the night in comfort and luxury but also have a place to crash down after your gambling session.

But let’s get to the main reason we’re talking about Fallsview. The Ontario casino at Fallsview is genuinely operating at a high-class level. This casino offers over 3,500 slot machines and 130 live casino games, spread across a 200,000 square foot gaming floor. These numbers are insane, as some online casinos offer way less, while not being confined to a physical space. Fallsview is a spectacular Ontario casino, offering a wide variety of games and entertainment. While on the topic of entertainment, you can also visit the Avalon theatre there, the state-of-the-art 1,500-seat marvel, that holds film viewings and live shows!

Caesars Windsor

Caesars has a long-lasting history in the region, being the first ever legalised brick-and-mortar Ontario casino in the region. The casino is located beautifully over the Detroit River and overviews the Detroit skyline. This magic casino itself has affected the legislative measures in the region with the mere fact of it opening up for visitors. And it does have a lot of visitors, as many US gamblers come to visit, attracted by the lack of taxation on Ontario casino winnings.

The casino has 2,600 slot machines and 100 table games, to allow for 24/7 gambling. You can rest at any of the 758 rooms after your night out, or maybe visit their 5,000-seat theatre or a nice steakhouse. Or maybe you would like to go down memory lane and visit the Forum Tower – It was the original building for the Ontario casino, now operating as a hotel. We think all the options are worth checking out.

Casino Rama

The one and only First Nations commercial Ontario casino and the biggest First Nations casino in the country. Rama was established in 1996 and continues to operate until this very day, bringing excitement to everyone who seeks it. The resort includes several luxury restaurants, spa salons and the Entertainment centre theatre, featuring over 5,000 seats, often holding international shows and top-rank performers and artists.

The Ontario casino features over 2,500 slot machines and live casino games. For VIP visitors, the casino allows access to the High Limits Room, which allows players to enjoy baccarat and blackjack in quiet and privacy. And when you’re done after your playing session, you can stay at a 289-room hotel. But we recommend booking in advance, as sometimes Rama gets really busy and nobody wants to spend the night searching for a motel after you’ve just got your big win.

Pickering Casino Resort

Pickering Casino’s motto is “You don't have to be in Vegas to play Vegas-style” and they certainly live up to this expectation. While the Ontario casino is still in development, it already allows players to enjoy over 2200 slot machines over 90 live play tables and even over 50 electronic play tables. This is really the Vegas quality tucked away from the prying eyes in Ontario!

And when you get tired of all the excitement the games bring, you can rest right there, in one of the 257 available rooms or go and have a feast in one of the luxury restaurants and cafes located on its territory. Pickering Casino offers a one-in-a-lifetime experience, for those who seek it!

Comparison between online and land based  casinos

So, after everything we've just said, only one question remains – what's to choose for a regular Ontario resident? What's better: the luxury and glamour of the land based  casinos or the comfort and coziness of your own home? Chances are, you've already asked yourself this question countless times. We all know this is majorly the question of personal preference, but if we were to be objective in counting all the upsides and downsides, which one would win?

1. Convenience. That would be a hard win for Ontario online casinos. No travel(and no gas!), no need for fancy clothes, spending money on overpriced drinks and appetizers and no need to interact with random strangers. With the availability of mobile casinos,it became even easier to acess and enjoy.
2.  this became even more apparent and now you can gamble basically anywhere you’d like.
3. Game Variety. Online casinos sweep this category too. Not only do Ontario online casinos offer more variety, when it comes to the types of games on offer, but the amount of different games in the same category is astronomically larger, compared to the land based casinos. And it’s not hard to see why, as land based  Ontario casinos are unfortunately constrained by the space limitations.
4. Payouts. While a good land based casino offers players good RTP rates, it doesn’t compare to the payouts offered by online casinos. Where land based casinos will keep their payout rates at the lowest rate allowed, Ontario an online casino offers games with 98% RTP.
5. Visuals. Now, this is where we need to define “visuals”. If we’re talking about the diversity of game visuals, then Ontario online casinos win by a landslide, as the variety and quality of games are as high as they can be. But if we are judging the venues as a whole, then, arguably, land based  Ontario casinos win. They’re always pristine, nicely decorated and luxurious. Online casinos can only opt for sleek and eye-pleasing designs, which is already great but doesn’t hold a candle to the grandeur of land based  Ontario casinos.
6. Community and interaction. Finally, a criterion, where land based casinos prosper! While online Live casino games are fun, they fail to capture the whole experience of being at an Ontario casino. Face-to-face communication is simply unbeatable in casino space. Whether you are actively playing, trying to deceive your opponents and start your way to the win, or you’re simply supporting your buddy from the sidelines – the feeling is simply magical.

As you can see, there’s something to enjoy with both of the options. We really think that online and land based  Ontario casinos simply serve different purposes and fill different entertainment niches, so this is really up to you to choose where to play this time. Some days you’d rather stay home and relax and other days you might want to go out with your friends, wear fancy suits and play together! Who knows what life will bring to you?

Responsible Gambling

Now, while gambling is fun and extremely entertaining, there needs to be a certain level of constraint and self-awareness, when you play responsibly. See, the nature of addiction works easily. Anything bringing a dopamine boost to your brain can become an addiction. It can be substances, alcohol, food, games or gambling. If you’re going through a rough patch – the risks rise exponentially. In our extremely stressful world, it’s not at all surprising that people may get addicted to gambling easily.

So, it is important to always keep yourself and your loved ones in check. It is important that your fun leisure time doesn’t turn into a life-ruining problem. Below, we have collected a few resources to help you, if you have any suspicions of developing a gambling addiction. It’s better to be safe, than sorry.

Tips to recognise problem gambling

Sometimes it is extremely difficult to actually recognise if you are experiencing gambling harm or are playing responsibly. It always starts small, with something that can be chalked up to the simple stress of everyday life and the complexities of human relationships. Issues with your work and study as a result of low attention span, feeling distressed, and developing health issues – these are all the signs. Even regular fights with your family and loved ones are a sign of gambling addiction. So, what signs should a gambler watch out for? Here’s a list:

• missing work;
• excessive spending and a tendency to hide how much money was spent;
• an urge to win back the lost money, often uncontrollable beyond reason;
• spending extended hours gambling;
• guilt about gambling;
• arguing with family over your habits.

If anything rings the bell, PLEASE, seek help. You may think you are doing alright and we’re just raising panic out of nowhere. We would be happy to be wrong! But to know that we’re wrong, you’d have to reach out to a specialist who can assess you’re doing just fine. Reach out, see for yourself and we only hope you will get the results you need.

Tools for responsible gambling

To control your gambling habits, sometimes a helpful hand is simply necessary. Canadian gambling venues are all obligated to have self-exclusion tools on their online casinos, so the players can better regulate their spending habits and play responsibly. Self-exclusion tools work by setting a certain limit (spending limit or a time limit) for a player, after reaching which, you will not be able to continue to play games further, which allows you to play responsibly. In most cases, the self-exclusion tools are accessible in your online casino profile, where you can choose to set a limit on your spending or overall time spent on the website. If there’s no such tool directly implemented as an option, you can always reach out to customer support and ask them to set all the needed boundaries for your account or guide you through the process of how to do it yourself.

Some other tools that you can access yourself, without involving the online casino in any way are rather simple to implement and play responsibly. We recommend keeping a detailed budget for your gambling spending and setting spending goals. Yes, spending, not winning. It's important to not focus on wins in any capacity. You can also schedule your play sessions and structure your routine in a way that wouldn’t be harmful to your mental health.

We also recommend never playing, when you are already upset or going through something stressful. That may cloud your judgment and make it easier for addiction to develop. By all means – use gambling as a stress relief, just not when you’re really down, this is not how you play responsibly.

Gambling support organizations

If you realise that your situation needs someone to intervene – there are people ready to help you. It’s never shameful to ask for help. It doesn’t mean you are weak, it means you are strong and smart enough to recognise that something has to be done to make your life better. Do not feel bad about needing help – we all need it sometimes. So, below we will list a couple of organisations that can help you become the best version of yourself:

• ConnexOntario (available through phone, text and online chat service);
• Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (available by phone);
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (available through phone and personal visitation);
• Gamblers Anonymous (available through online chat);

These organisations are dedicated to providing players with help when it’s needed. The professionals working there are ready to answer all of your questions, worries and struggles and give you feedback with solutions, tips and encouragement to play responsibly. You are not alone and with care and love for yourself, you will soon overcome whatever it is that is troubling you.

Industry Updates and Trends

Gambling is never stagnant. The industry is constantly updating, improving and becoming a better version of itself. Player preferences shift, companies release new and exciting software, and lawmakers create more systems to ensure your online safety – it all affects the way Ontario online casinos operate. To be in tune with the changes, one needs to be very diligently following the news and updates, which are not always easily accessible in our busy day-to-day lives. So, to skip the hassle, we have prepared a list of changes trends and updates, that you can easily check out and see what’s going on in the gambling market, without having to dig around the internet for information.

Latest Ontario iGaming news and updates

Wanna know the latest facts about the Ontario casinos? Well, we have them all. The new developments throughout 2024 were plenty. The information we can show is collected from regulated and licensed resources only, so some of the statistics may seem just the tiniest bit disconnected from the reality of things, but hey, you’ll get the picture anyway, as most players choose regulated Ontario online casinos anyway. Throughout the 72 Ontario online casinos and 10 regulated gambling websites, the next set of changes appeared:

• Ontario casino slot games remain the most popular choice amongst players, creating the biggest wagering turnover of 86% of all wagers made in 2024. It delivered $553 in revenue, a whopping 75% of total gaming revenue. The second and third largest revenues were created in sports betting (24%) and poker (2.4%).
• The average monthly spending for players turned out to be around $308.
• The active player base consisted of over 1.3 million users.
• The record for bet-placing was broken, with a whopping $18.7 billion bets placed. It shows a 31.7% betting increase, which shows that the user base chooses to play responsibly at regulated casinos more and more nowadays.
• The total profits gained from gambling rose up to $738 million.

The latest developments in the scene show a positive dynamic with players feeling more inclined to play responsibly at regulated and licensed venues, which is a net positive! Most things remained relatively unchanged, like the popularity of the best casino games over other gambling practices.

Trends in online gambling

Trends are dictated by people. And simply looking at how people have been gaming this year, we can predict a bit about the developments the companies will make next year. The data used in this part of the article dates back to the summer/fall season of 2024, specifically for Ontario online casino players. Unsurprisingly, the surveys show that slot games are the most popular category of online casino games, but they’re not dominating the field like they used to. Only 34% of all players chose slots as their go-to, followed by poker with 30%, Blackjack with 21%, roulette with 12% and the rest 2% playing other games like crash games, scratch cards and lottery.

Now, let’s move on to player preferences. It turns out that only 50% of all players wager over $100 a month, showing a positive dynamic in responsible gambling and gambling addiction development. That is only further supported by the fact that only 25% of all the players play daily. About 80% of players also admitted to using some form of responsible gambling tools. So the initiative to provide safe gambling to players, instead of only allowing them to visit off-shore and unregulated casinos is definitely working and people are actively using the tools to their benefit.

Another trend that started during the covid limitations continues to persist to this day, with 70% of players, who prefer other online casino games over slots would rather choose live dealer games. The trend was born out of the necessity to maintain some form of contact with people and seemingly continues to this day with many people learning to appreciate live dealer games more and more. Such an overlooked art like live dealer games is finally flourishing.

Future developments in the Ontario online casino market

Since 2022, when the online casino market was legalized in Ontario, the number of new online casinos grew to 82 websites, 72 of which were casino venues. It seems like this number will only continue to grow as more and more players choose to play responsibly at licensed Ontario online casinos. With that in mind, there are some changes that will appear in the Ontario gambling market to create a safer space for all the new and already active players.

Currently, there’s a centralized self-exclusion program being developed by iGaming Ontario. That will allow players to self-exclude themselves without compromising their privacy. This tool will allow players to self-exclude themselves from all the licensed online gambling websites, including casinos, sportsbooks and lottery. This will add an additional level of protection and support for people dealing with problem gambling. The system will allow registered users (with verified identity) to set long-term or short-term breaks at all the licensed gambling websites. This way it will achieve the highest standards of gambling safety ever seen in any country of the world.

History of Gambling in Canada

Now that we’ve gone over the future of the Ontario casino market, we’d like to add some introspection into the fascinating developments happening in Ontario. The history of gambling in Ontario dates back more than 100 years, shaping the current gambling climate into what we know it today. Just like plants need fertile ground to grow, any industry needs solid roots in culture and media to prosper. Vegas is only Vegas because it maintained its culture over the years and Australians are only the nation of gamblers because it is a part of their heritage and is treated as such.

So what were some of the founding moments of gambling history in Ontario? What shaped it to be the top gambling spot in Canada and what journey did the gamblers go through in this area? If any of the questions above interest you, then hold on to your seats as we delve into the history of Gambling in Ontario.

The first legal forms of gambling

Surprising to no one, the first form of gambling was horse racing. There were some forms of gambling permits allowed for state fairs and charity events, but overall horse racing was the only consistent gambling avenue available. It’s impossible to pinpoint the specific timeframe where horse racing became popular in Ontario, as it is a tradition going far beyond pre-colonial times. But what we know for sure is that in 1910, a federal amendment to the Criminal Code legalised horse race betting. With that, each province became responsible for holding its own betting horse racing events. What's fascinating is that it took 40 years to form the first governmental institution overlooking horse racing, as the Ontario Horse Racing Commission was only established in 1950 – years after horse race betting started operating full force in Ontario.

Updates To the Criminal Code in 1970

In 1970, the Canadian government issued an update to the federal code that stated that every province is required to regulate their gambling business on its own. This flexibility in rules led to many developments in the gambling scene, including the opening of the first-ever legal Ontario casino in Winnipeg in 1989 and the rise of provincial lotteries all over the country. This specific period is what started to build up the fundamentals of gambling in Canada.

The legislation of the Ontario Lotteries

In 1975, Ontario’s first legal lottery was launched by the Ontario Lottery Corporation, which is known today as the Ontario Lottery and Gambling Corporation (OLG). The funds acquired from the lotteries go straight to the budget of the province, supporting the Government of Ontario initiatives. OLG operates in a similar way up until this day, contributing up to $2.5 billion to the Government of Ontario yearly. And it was all set up from the success of 1974 – when the lotteries brought $6 million to the province.

Nowadays OLG partners with other non-profits, outside of just the Government of Ontario. OLG has already donated over $80 million to different charity organizations and communities, through their lottery and gambling charitable initiatives.

The legalisation of Casinos in 1994

Ontario wasn’t the first one to license a casino in its territory. That would be Manitoba and Quebec, who pioneered licensed casino gambling on their territories, but Ontario followed right behind. We have already mentioned the Windsor casino as the first-ever licensed casino in Ontario. Its opening was met with quite a bit of attention, even though it was only set up as a temporary casino. Thirty years later, Windsor is still attracting gamblers from all over the province and even from outside the country. Windsor also set a precedent for the other casinos to appear and nowadays there are over 20 official licensed casinos open in Ontario!

It’s also important to note that when the casinos first appeared in Ontario, they were regulated by the Gaming Control Commission, but in 1998 this responsibility shifted to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which oversees the casino business until this day.

2022: The year of change

Two major updates to the Ontario casino sphere happened in 2022 with the legalisation of Single-game sports betting and the Legalisation of Online Gambling. The change, regarding single-game betting, mirrored a very similar federal law change in the US that happened back in 2018. From April of 2022, Ontario citizens were allowed to place bets on sports legally on regulated platforms, opening the doors to never-before-seen gambling diversity.

Speaking of diversity in games, Ontario's legalising online casinos was probably the biggest development in gambling in Ontario since the '90s. iGaming in Ontario allowed the players to enjoy online sports betting, casinos and lotteries. Ontario was the first province to legalize online gambling in Canada and in the first year of operation, legal Ontario online casinos amassed an insane $1.4 billion for the Ontario government, which caused other provinces to also start looking into legal gambling avenues. Two years later online casinos in Ontario are one of the most profitable, safe and exciting gambling industries in the world!

The current state of Ontario Gambling

Ontario is undoubtedly leading the way with its developments in the gambling sphere. Many provinces follow Ontario's lead in their own approach to the legalisation of gambling on their territories. Ontario’s approach not only proved to be highly beneficial to the province but to the players in general, with strict rules about safe gambling tools in place and a fixed 85% RTP for all online casinos. But there is also room for growth for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Ontario is very likely to adopt a few changes to the casino advertisements that are accepted worldwide like a ban on using celebrity figures and athletes in gambling advertisements. There's also a constant need to monitor the changing online landscape and technology development, as it affects the gambling sphere both for the better and for the worse. But with the current state of Ontario gambling, we’re sure it will not stop the commissions from bettering themselves.

What started as regulated horse betting has now turned into a flourishing industry, able to sustain many governmental actions with the monetary revenue it brings. The first-ever fully regulated casino market in Canada grows, and changes, but stays on top no matter what curveballs technology and circumstances throw at it.