Ontario Casinos

Ontario Online Casinos

Richard Hayes
Richard Hayes

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Ontario players, attention! Explore the ultimate guide to online casinos in your province. Don’t miss out on exclusive bonuses and epic wins!

TOP-15 Online Casinos for Ontario Players

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Sort by: Rating
Rating
Name
Bonus
Established
Payment speed
Win rate
Games

Is It Legal? Unraveling Status of Online Casinos in Ontario

Changes in the law have sparked some real innovation in iGaming. And guess what? It's not just the operators feeling the effect – it's us, the players, too! Let's check out the key highlights together.

Game taxes

In Canada, including Ontario, gambling winnings are generally not considered taxable income. This means that if you win money from gambling, whether it's from a casino, lottery, or other forms of betting, you typically won't have to pay taxes on those winnings. However, there are exceptions to this rule, particularly if gambling is considered your primary source of income or if you're a professional gambler.

Geolocation

Players need to enable geolocation services to confirm that they gamble in Ontario. Online casinos use geolocation technology to verify the location of their users. This prevents individuals from outside Ontario from accessing Ontario-based online casinos and ensures that players are abiding by local laws and regulations.

Consumer Protection

Licensed sites are mandated to offer responsible gambling tools and features to help players manage their gambling habits. This includes instruments like self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, and reality checks. Besides, players now have access to more effective dispute resolution mechanisms in case of conflicts or issues with operators. Regulators oversee the handling of player complaints and ensure that grievances are addressed promptly and fairly.

What Has Changed Since Online Casinos Legalization In Ontario?

Change 1. To register a gambling platform, an operator needs to obtain a certificate from an independent laboratory, provide necessary documents, pay a fee, and sign a contract with the province’s watchdog, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Change 2. Active and retired athletes, as well as some celebrities, role models, influencers, artists, and cartoon figures, cannot appear in commercials promoting online gambling in Ontario. The ACGO states that this ban will help protect children and teenagers particularly susceptible to such promotional content.

Change 3. Ontario laws now prohibit affiliates and other media partners from using any incentives, in advertising. Incentives mean promotional offers that encourage users to participate in online gaming in Ontario. Here come bonuses for registration, deposits, free spins, cashbacks, etc. Information about bonuses can be placed only on a casino website.

Regulations In Ontario: Good or Bad?

Well-designed standards contribute to a sustainable industry because operators have the motivation to innovate and invest in their casinos. But what else? What does it mean for gamblers?

Advantages of Regulation

  • Since online casinos in Ontario are legal, gamblers are protected by the law;
  • To operate in Ontario, global operators obtain local licenses and localize their casinos for Canadian gamblers. Thus, bets, deposits, and winnings are in CAD, which eliminates the problem of conversion and exchange rates;
  • Players in Ontario can get support from local assistants, which is quicker, more efficient, and more relevant;
  • Tournaments are not as numerous as in foreign casinos and serve smaller pools of players. This increases the chance of a victory;

Disadvantages of Regulation

  • The first regulated online casinos can be represented by smaller operators since they are often more adaptable to changing environments;
  • Bonuses and jackpots can be small because smaller operators need more financial resources and prioritize investments in core operations: platform development, customer support, regulatory compliance, and so on.

Not Just Another Online Casino

What sets Ontario online casinos apart from others? The Ontario gambling market is not so large, as the UK for instance. Therefore, the province’s regulators can pay more attention to detail:

  • Ontario has introduced stricter KYC requirements. KYC is all about verifying the identity of players. So, if you want to play at an online casino in Ontario, you’ll need to provide more detailed information and go through more checks.
  • Operators that operate in Ontario must develop a more thorough customer screening system. It means gamblers must provide official documents, fresh photos and personal live video, or liveness.

This is quite different from the UK and some other major markets, which require just gamblers’ data: name, date of birth, address, and phone number. But all these prerequisites ensure safe and transparent gambling for all Ontario residents.

Online Casinos vs. Land-based Casinos in Ontario

In online casinos, you can play your favorite casino amusements on a computer or smartphone. You don't need to go anywhere. Which is different for land-based casinos. There are even more distinctions between the two. Check them out!
Online Casinos in Ontario
Land-based Casinos in Ontario
  • In the best Ontario online casinos, you get a welcome package; in other words, a casino gifts you extra money, free spins, or other perks to use in games;

  • Many online casinos also encourage loyal gamblers, offering them daily and weekly bonuses, cashback, discounts, and other incentives;

  • There are no queues in online casinos. You can gamble at any time and join any virtual session;

  • You can gamble for free in demo versions of your beloved games;

  • You can deposit and withdraw money in many ways. Online casinos allow instant and protected transfers in different payment methods, from credit cards to vouchers and e-wallets;

  • Many casinos online accept cryptocurrencies. Gamblers and crypto enthusiasts prefer crypto to other payment methods for its transparency, safety, and borderless nature;

  • Online casinos stimulate the economy of Ontario. Legalized foreign operators pay taxes to the provincial treasury;

  • The RTP (return-to-player) in online slots is much higher than in land-based counterparts. It means you can win more playing in virtual casinos;

  • Online casinos cannot provide the full community experience. Yet, they strive to provide maximum socialization with in-game live chats and virtual real-time games.
  • You get a sense of community in real casinos. You can exchange a few words with other players and staff members and get satisfaction not only from the game but from communication as well;

  • Brick-and-mortar casinos pay higher taxes and contribute to the economy of the province;

  • Land-based casinos offer jobs for Ontario residents and thus create additional infrastructure around the casino;

  • You can often enjoy other facilities in real casinos: restaurants, bars, and concert halls, souvenir shops, hotels. You can arrange a whole weekend in a casino resort and spend it doing various activities in between gambling;

  • You can attend casinos with your friends and family, even if they are not into gambling. They will still find something to their liking: attend a concert, arrange shopping, dine in a fancy restaurant, etc.;

  • You have to get to a gambling location and sometimes waste a great while on the roads;

  • Most land-based casinos are limited by the size of the building and cannot accommodate too many visitors and game islands. So, there may be queues;

  • The RTP (return-to-player) in slots is lower than on casino websites;

  • You have limited payment methods in land-based casinos. Plus, not all currencies are accepted. Not to say about crypto: few places allow Bitcoin.  

5 Best Land-Based Casinos In Ontario

Explore our handpicked selection of the province’s most prestigious gambling destinations, from dazzling amusements to high-stakes thrills.

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort

One of the largest casinos in the world, the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort is a premier rest area, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario. With stunning views of the illustrious Niagara Falls, this luxurious resort has a casino floor with many slot machines, table games, poker, and VIP rooms. Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort is more than a casino. There, you can revel in dining, spa, entertainment, shopping, concerts, fitness and so much more.

  • Area of 200,000 square feet
  • Avalon Theater for 1500+ seats
  • Hotel with 372 luxurious rooms and suites 
  • 25 dining options on the territory
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort

Casino Rama Resort

In the scenic landscape of Orillia, Ontario, you can enjoy a top-tier resort Casino Rama. On this territory, the excitement of gambling and the luxury of a resort intertwine. Fancy hotel rooms, exquisite restaurants, and a well-organized entertainment center will grant you positive emotions. Casino visitors get a special club card, which allows them to win prizes: delicious food, a luxury hotel room, an invitation to a party, a concert ticket, etc. 

  • 1,800+ slot machines 
  • 100+ gaming tables
  • Meeting areas of 6,600 square feet
  • Event space for 5,000+ sets
Casino Rama Resort

Casino Niagara

You can find Casino Niagara in the heart of Niagara Falls, Ontario. At your service, there are modern slots and popular table games: blackjack, sic bo, mini-baccarat, poker, roulette, etc. You can dine in LEV2L Sports Bar and try mouth-watering dishes, from crunchy appetizers to rich desserts. The casino has no strict dress code: wear something to your liking, but appropriate for public places. Smoking is allowed in comfortable smoking areas on the territory.

  • Gaming area of 95,000 square feet
  • 1,300+ slot machines and electronic gaming tables 
  • 30 action-packed tables
  • Restaurant for 275 seats

Address: 5705 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6T3 Canada (Two hours sourth of Toronto)

Casino Niagara

Caesars Windsor

The casino was opened in 2000 on the banks of the Detroit River and immediately received an award for the building design: the casino looks like a ship, with white metal panels, green-blue glass, and roofs like sails. The casino is modern and well-equipped. Slot machines at Caesars Windsor are equipped with ‘Total Touch’ technology: you touch the slot and ta-da—you order a refreshing drink. Apart from the casino area, you can enjoy the hotel, restaurants, conference, and concert halls on the territory. 

  • 750+ hotel rooms
  • 6 restaurants
  • 1,700+ slot machines
  • 85 table games

Address: 377 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, Ontario N9A 7H7 Canada (Four hours west of Toronto)

Caesars Windsor

Great Blue Heron Casino

Situated amidst picturesque natural surroundings in Port Perry, Ontario, Great Blue Heron provides live entertainment, dining choices, and friendly service. The casino participates in charity, regularly holding charity holidays, promotions, tournaments, and other charity events. The gambling area holds electronic games, slot machines, and tables for the games of chance. Also, there is a special lottery counter. Be sure if you participate in a lottery, all the money is sent to charity. 

  • Area of 25,000 square feet
  • 600 slot machines
  • 20 live table games
  • 10 electronic table games

Address: 21777 Island Rd, Port Perry, Ontario L9L 1B6 Canada (One hour northeast of Toronto)

Great Blue Heron Casino

Responsible gambling in Ontario

  1. Set your budget. Determine how much money you can afford to spend on gambling and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses by only gambling with disposable income. You can also set deposit limits in casinos to minimize overspending.
  2. Set time limits. Decide how much time you’ll spend gambling. Take breaks to refresh your mind and avoid excessive gaming sessions. You can limit the number of game rounds and losses and change them with time.
  3. Avoid alcohol and drugs. When you gamble under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you lose control, thus causing risky behavior. Stay sober.
  4. Use responsible gambling tools. Ontario-licensed online casinos offer instruments like deposit limits, self-exclusion, and reality checks to help you manage your gambling habits. Take advantage of these mechanisms if necessary.
  5. Gamble for entertainment, not profit. Approach gambling as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money. Don’t place unrealistic expectations on winning, and resist the urge to chase losses at all costs.

Schedule gaming sessions so that gambling won’t affect your social life. To monitor your gambling patterns, use the SPRinG mobile application. 

If you need professional help, contact: 

  • Help Center Helpline: 1-800-387-0098
  • Ontario Gambling Helpline: 1-888-230-3505. 

FAQ