It is estimated that around $31 billion is made every year through the online gaming industry in Canada alone. Then imagine how many billions the gambling industry is actually worth worldwide! As crazy as it sounds, the regular casino players are not surprised by this ginormous amount. This is because the number of online casino players has only increased in the last couple of years. More and more people have started joining the iGaming industry for recreational purposes. Some have even taken up this recreational activity for a steady source of income.
Ontario Gambling History
In 1892, there were actual laws set in motion to prevent gambling in Canada. The Canadian Criminal Code was used to regulate this. However, these laws of prohibition gradually eased with time. Initially, games of chance like raffles and bingo were legalized in the 1900s.
Following this, other gambling events like horse racing were made legal for people within a span of 10 years. By that time almost every other charitable event and fair were holding gambling events. However, the restrictions still existed forming a grey area as Canadian players were spending a good amount on offshore online casinos.
Finally, in 2010, the enormous profits and stats of online offshore casino gaming caught the eye of the Ontario government. This resulted in the development of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG).
The OLG has been overseeing all things gambling in Ontario, Canada ever since then.
Ontario Online Casinos – Are they Legal?
Residents of Ontario are allowed to gamble online from the age of 19 years and above. On the other hand, provinces like Manitoba, Quebec and Alberta have set the eligibility for gambling from 18 years and above.
This essentially means that people of Ontario can participate in both provincially run online casinos, as well as the ones based offshore. The legalization of online casino gambling has opened a wide door for casino lovers in Canada as they get to indulge in as many casino games as they want to. Be it roulette, online slots, blackjack or craps, they have access to it all.
How to Find the Best Online Casinos of Ontario 2023?
With so many online casinos available for users these days, it can be hard picking just one of the lot. This is why it is necessary to guarantee that certain basic features are in place while signing up for these iGaming platforms.
Some of these features include the following:
Payment Method
There is really no set time for online casino gaming. You can have access to the games at any time of the day. And this calls for a flexible and reliable payment option for players. Trust us when we tell you that you want to use the fastest and reliable payment method which offers their service 24/7.
That way you will not face any difficulty completing transactions throughout the day. What’s more is that if the payment provider is flexible enough, you will be able to complete transactions even during bank holidays.
Moreover, not all payment providers are safe for use. There are plenty of unreliable third-party payment providers that the online casino might be affiliated with. It is up to you to make the best pick from the list and get on with your casino gaming.
It is generally wise to see the list of payment methods being offered by a particular website before signing up for it.
User Interface
The reason one thinks so much before signing up for a particular casino website is because they want to have a smooth gambling experience while playing. One of the things that players should ensure before registering at different online casinos is whether it has a friendly user interface.
For a smooth user interface, the icons or features of the webpage must be placed in an organized manner. That way, users will not have to spend time looking for the tools they need.
Bonus Offers and Promotions
If you have been to a classic brick and mortar casino, then you already know that there are no such features as bonus offers and promotions there. These are features that are exclusive to online casino gaming only. And thanks to these bonus offers and promotions offered by online casinos, users get to have a jumpstart to their online casino gaming experience.
Some of the most popular bonus offers include the welcome bonus offer, reload bonus offer, cashback bonus offer, no deposit bonus offer, tournaments, etc.
Customer Support
Only the best iGaming platforms have professional agents hired to help the users. Some offer 24/7 live chat options, while others provide phone numbers and email addresses for users to leave a text.
Either way, the agents do get back to the users to help resolve any issue that they might have faced while playing casino games.
If you want a solid customer support system for yourself, do check whether the website is offering all three options. That way, if one of the alternatives does not work, you can opt for the other.
Some websites even offer help through social media. So that might also be worth looking into.
License
You can find the license number by scrolling to the bottom of the homepage of the casino website. There is also a separate landing page set in place when you click on the license number for most of the websites. Tapping on it takes you to a different webpage where you can see the licensing authority and other details of the license provided to the online casino.
Remember, an online casino is only worth your time and money if it has a valid license. The Malta Gaming authority, for example, only gives out licenses to the most competitive iGaming platforms.
Security
No matter which website you are using on the internet, you would automatically want your time spent there to be safe and secure. And since online casinos require players to enter personal information for verification of id, the risks are higher.
Hence, it is wise to check whether an online casino has proper security tools to ensure the safety of your stored information. A standard SSL encryption for example is reason enough to sign up to an online casino website.
What Bonus Offers Can I Get at Ontario Online Casinos 2023?
Every online casino offers bonus offers and promotions to its users. More often than not, users are generally attracted by the offers that are advertised on the homepage of online casinos. In fact, this is one of the influencing factors which lets them decide whether or not they want to register at a particular online casino.
These are some of the most common bonus offers that are available in the iGaming platforms of Ontario these days:
Welcome Bonus
The very first bonus offer that you can avail in an online casino is the welcome bonus. It acts as an incentive for players to get a head start with their casino gaming. Usually, the bonus offers come in packages of free spins and casino cash so that players can make use of them from the very beginning. This increases the chances of making larger profits while casino gaming.
Cashback Bonus
Cashback bonuses are usually given to players who have been out of luck for weeks or days. It is offered to boost or motivate the players to keep playing as the games of chance are all about luck.
No Deposit Bonus
The no deposit bonus is a bonus for which players do not have to make any deposits. This is a very special bonus offer as players generally have to make deposits in order to avail any bonus offer.
Other bonus offers consist of the tournaments, reload bonus, weekly bonus, etc. Do note that every bonus is subject to different terms and conditions. Almost all of these bonuses have different wagering requirements and time limits which you have to consider while playing.
Ontario Live Casino
Have you ever had the golden opportunity of visiting a brick and mortar casino? If yes, then chances are that you know how much fun these land based casinos actually are. You get to play the games of your pick, mix with the crowd you like and socialize a lot.
However, this is not possible when you are playing regular online casino games. The reason being that you have no way of being able to socialize with other players from the comfort of your home.
This is where live casinos step in to save the day! Live casinos allow users to interact with each other via comments or texts while participating in a particular live casino game. What’s more, players are also able to interact with the live dealers of every game.
Payment Method for Ontario Online Casinos
Flexibility for payment options is a must for every online casino platform. these are the most prevalent payment options for users in Ontario today – Neteller, Zimpler, Bitcoin, Entropay, Flexepin, Google Pay, Apple Pay, American Express, eCheck, InstaDebit, PaySafeCard, Neosurf, MasterCard, EcoPayz, Credit cards, Payeer, MuchBetter, VISA, Skrill, QIWI, etc.
The maximum and minimum amount for the transactions will greatly vary from one casino to the other. Therefore it is advised that you check the terms and conditions of these payment providers before signing up for the websites.
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Casino Sites Ontario
What is the legal age for online gambling in Ontario, Canada? The legal age for online gambling is 19 in Ontario, Canada.
Is it possible to play Ontario online casinos from my phone? You can only enjoy casino gaming from your phone if the online casino has an app that you can install in it.
Is online gambling legal in Ontario, Canada? Yes, the province has legalized online gambling in Ontario, Canada.
Do I need to pay tax for Ontario online casinos? No, you do not need to pay taxes if you are using the online casino for recreational purposes.
Are Ontario online casinos safe? If the iGaming platform has a license and a standard SSL encryption, then it is absolutely safe to use.
Summary: Online Casinos in Ontario
To conclude, the number of iGaming platforms will only increase with time. It will always be up to you to make the right choice while signing up for these online casinos. Once you have ticked off the list with the basic features, move on to more advanced ones to have the best online gaming experience.