Ontario Online Gambling

Betters in Ontario have a wealth of online gambling options, as the province has been at the forefront of gambling regulation in Canada. On April 4, 2022, the province made a groundbreaking move by launching the country’s first regulated sports betting market.

Online casinos are also legal in the province, allowing players to choose from a diverse selection of online slots, table games, and live dealer options. Players can also play online poker legally, enter lottery draws, and play at sweepstakes casinos. The online gambling options are endless in Ontario!

In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the busy Ontario online gambling market and unearth the best online gambling sites in Ontario to ensure you only wager at the best of the best. We’ll also run through the legal gambling options in the province, examine the regulatory framework, and answer some commonly asked questions.

Best Ontario Gambling Sites

Are you searching for the best online gambling sites in Ontario? We’ve listed the best of the best right here on this page. Our team of experts has thoroughly evaluated each site, considering several factors such as user-friendliness, payment methods, mobile compatibility, and promotional offers for new and returning players. Take a look at our list of top-rated Ontario gambling sites and click on any link to start playing today!

Is Online Gambling Legal in Ontario?

Ontario is home to a thriving gambling industry, offering a diverse range of options for players to choose from. Regulation is overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). This gambling body is responsible for issuing local licenses to online casinos and sportsbooks that are eager to operate within the province. These licensees are further supervised by iGaming Ontario, ensuring a robust regulatory framework that prioritizes safety and fairness.

Bettors and players can choose from prominent gambling operators from the United States and other countries, like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Bet365, and Caesars. Most of these offer both sportsbooks and online casino games, while many online casinos also operate in the province, like Jackpot City, LeoVegas, and PartyCasino.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s (OLG) introduction of single-game online sports betting on August 27, 2021, marked a significant milestone. As of now, the market boasts over 30 legal websites offering casino gaming and sports betting services, operated by 18 different operators.

Ontario Gambling History

The legalization of single-game sports betting in Ontario in August 2021 paved the way for the province’s legal and regulated iGaming market. In this section, we’ll take a look at the major events and milestones leading up to and after the legalization of iGaming, including regulatory approvals, operator launches, and legal challenges.

February 7, 1975 – Provincial lawmakers pass the Ontario Lottery Corporation Act, establishing the province’s first lottery.
May 17, 1994 – Ontario’s first land-based casino, Caesars Windsor, opens.
April 2000 – The Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLC) and the Ontario Casino Corporation (OCC) merge to form the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
February 25, 2020 – Saskatoon MP Kevin Waugh introduces Bill C-218 to amend Canada’s criminal code and legalize single-game sports betting.
November 5, 2020 – The Ontario government announces that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will manage online gambling in the province.
April 22, 2021 – Bill C-218 passes the Canadian House of Commons and is passed to the Senate.
June 22, 2021 – The Senate approves Bill C-218 by a 57-20 vote. Seven days later, it receives royal assent and becomes law.
July 6, 2021 – AGCO and the Ontario government announce that a new subsidiary of AGCO, iGaming Ontario, will regulate the province’s legal and regulated iGaming market.
August 12, 2021 – The Ontario government announces that Bill C-218 will come into effect on August 27, 2021. PROLINE+, the OLG sports betting product, will offer single-game sports betting to Ontarians.
September 9, 2021 – AGCO releases the regulatory standards for the Ontario iGaming market.
October 14, 2021 – Rush Street Interactive introduces a free-to-play online casino and sportsbook, CASINO4FUN, in anticipation of launching its BetRivers brand in the province.
November 15, 2021 – AGCO releases its Internet Gaming Go-Live Compliance Guide, detailing operators’ requirements on responsible gambling and requiring operators with grey market sportsbooks and online casinos to cease activity prior to their legal launch in the province.
January 19, 2022 – BetMGM announces it expects to launch an Ontario online gambling site in 2022.
January 28, 2022 – iGaming Ontario announces that the ON online casino and sportsbook market will launch on April 4, 2022.
February 1, 2022 – NorthStar Gaming announces its Ontario sports betting site, powered by Kambi.
February 3, 2022 – PointsBet and theScore Bet announce that AGCO has approved their registrations as Ontario online gambling operators. Both intend to launch on April 4, 2022.
February 18, 2022 – DraftKings reveals that it will likely launch an Ontario sportsbook once the legal iGaming launches in the province.
March 3, 2022 – 888 Holdings confirms that it has registered with AGCO to launch on April 4.
March 9, 2022 – Rush Street Interactive confirms it has gained regulatory approval to launch in Ontario under its BetRivers brand.
March 15, 2022 – bet365 becomes the latest operator to gain regulatory approval in the province, becoming the 12th registered sportsbook.
March 22, 2022 – theScore Bet launches its Ontario sportsbook and casino app and opens its pre-registration period ahead of its launch on April 4.
March 29, 2022 – DraftKings and FanDuel announce that they will stop accepting daily fantasy sports (DFS) entries from the province due to the province’s regulations.
April 4, 2022 – iGaming and sports betting officially launch in Ontario.
August 30, 2022 – iGaming Ontario reveals Ontario bettors placed $4.076 billion in total wagers between April 4 and June 30.
September 20, 2022 – OLG announces plans to introduce over 1,400 self-service betting kiosks in retail locations across the province in 2023.
October 28, 2022 – Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG) announces that Ontario casinos have introduced retail sports betting.
November 29, 2022 – The Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke files a lawsuit against the Attorney-General of Ontario and iGaming Ontario, questioning the legality of Ontario’s online gambling market.
January 11, 2023 – Caesars Windsor opens the first full-service retail sportsbook in the province.
April 13, 2023 – AGCO proposes a ban on the use of athletes and celebrities in sports betting and online casino advertising.
August 29, 2023 – Ontario regulators ban the use of athletes in sports betting and iGaming advertisements, with certain exceptions.

Legal Gambling Options in Ontario

From land-based casinos to online sports betting, Ontario offers a diverse range of gambling options that cater to every player’s preference. Whether you are an avid poker player or a casual lottery participant, our experts will help you understand the gambling landscape in Ontario.

Type of Gambling	Legal?	When Legalized?
Online Casinos	Yes	2022
Land-Based Casinos	Yes	1994
Online Poker	Yes	2022
Land-Based Poker	Yes	1996
Online Sports Betting	Yes	2022
Retail Sports Betting	Yes	2022
Daily Fantasy Sports	Yes	2022
Horse Racing	Yes	1933
Lottery	Yes	1975
Charitable Gambling	Yes	1868

Sports Betting

Sports betting in Ontario underwent a transformative change with the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022. Before this, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) introduced single-game sports betting in August 2021, with PROLINE+ offering single-game wagers.

Since then, the province has become a hub for sports betting, with leading North American operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel setting up shop. Nearly 30 operators accept bets in the province, meaning Ontario sports betting enthusiasts have many options to choose from.

Online Casino

Ontario boasts a vibrant online casino landscape, legally available to players following the province’s regulation of online gambling in April 2022. Players have a variety of slots, table games, and live dealer options at their disposal, provided by operators regulated by iGaming Ontario. With established names like DraftKings, FanDuel, Jackpot City, and LeoVegas operating in the region, Ontario’s online casino market has quickly become one of the most diverse in Canada.

Poker

Poker enthusiasts in Ontario can legally play online, thanks to the province’s embracing of online poker platforms in its 2022 legislation. Both physical casinos and online platforms offer many varieties of poker. Major operators, like PokerStars and 888 Poker, are available via their desktop software and mobile apps. Only operators regulated by AGCO are legal for Ontario players, as the body ensures that all online poker operators provide a secure environment for players.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are available in Ontario and are considered legal following the passage of C-218. However, the province regulates DFS under a game of chance classification, subjecting it to stricter controls than other jurisdictions. Major North American DFS operators, FanDuel and DraftKings, withdrew from the province following the passage of Bill C-218 and do not accept entries from Ontario players.

Lottery

Ontario’s lottery history dates back to 1975, when the first official lottery was launched with the passage of the Ontario Lottery Corporation Act. Today, lotteries are a legal and popular form of gambling, with proceeds often directed towards public projects and initiatives. The OLG oversees lottery operations, offering a variety of draw games and scratch tickets to residents.

Retail Sportsbooks

Following the legalization of sports betting, retail sportsbooks were introduced in Ontario, with the OLG expanding its PROLINE service to retail outlets. Caesars Sportsbook at Caesars Windsor became the first full-service retail sportsbook when it opened in January 2023.

Land-Based Casinos

The first land-based casino, Caesars Windsor, opened in Ontario in 1994, following Québec’s decision in 1993 to utilize carve-outs in the Canadian Criminal Code to operate legal land-based gambling under certain circumstances. From the iconic Caesars Windsor to the bustling Casino Niagara, Ontario is home to numerous casinos offering a full range of gaming options, including slots and table games.

Sweepstakes Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos allow players to participate in casino-style games without directly wagering real money. As no Canadian government agency regulates gambling without prizes in money, sweepstakes casinos are available throughout Ontario. These platforms offer an alternative gambling format, with players earning Sweepstakes Coins that they can redeem for various prizes.

How are Gambling Sites Regulated in Ontario?

Ontario’s gambling regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), plays a vital role in shaping and safeguarding the province’s gambling landscape. Established as a regulatory body in 1998 under the Alcohol, Cannabis, and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act, 1996 (ACGRPPA), the AGCO assumed responsibility for the administration of legislation previously administered by the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario and the Gaming Control Commission.

The AGCO is tasked with licensing, regulating, and overseeing all aspects of gambling in Ontario with its subsidiary, iGaming Ontario. The AGCO and iGaming Ontario ensure that operators adhere to Ontario’s rigorous standards for game integrity, player protection, and responsible gambling.

The AGCO sets clear, stringent guidelines for operators, including the need for active monitoring of betting markets and engagement with independent integrity monitors to prevent insider betting and game manipulation.

The necessity of a gambling regulator like the AGCO in Ontario stems from the need to balance the economic benefits of gambling with the protection of players and the integrity of the games. By establishing and enforcing standards, the AGCO ensures that gambling remains a safe, fair, and responsible activity, fostering trust among players and maintaining the industry’s credibility.

Responsible Gambling in Ontario

Any Ontario gambling site licensed by the AGCO must provide support for players who are struggling to manage their gambling responsibly. These include offering deposit, time, and loss limits to allow you to manage your spending and exposure to gambling products. Also, operators are required to allow players to self-exclude to prevent them from accessing gambling sites.

In addition, Ontario sportsbooks and casinos offer responsible gambling resources to give players all the information they need to play safely. These include information on how to use the tools available to players and links to third-party organizations. Below are some organizations that

FAQs

Is online gambling legal in Ontario?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Ontario. The province launched legal gambling on April 4, 2022. Ontario gambling was legalized through the passage of Bill C-218 in June 2021 by the Canadian Parliament, which granted provincial governments the right to regulate gambling activities.

Can I bet on sports in Ontario?

Of course, you can bet on sports in Ontario. Major North American operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars accept wagers in ON. 19 sportsbooks are available for online sports betting, and 18 sportsbooks are available for retail sports betting.

Does Ontario have any online casinos?

Absolutely. Ontario has a range of online casinos that accept players in the province. Each operator is licensed must have an Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) license.

Is DFS legal in Ontario?

DFS is legal in Ontario, having been legalized with the passage of C-218. Despite this, unlike in the United States, Ontario considers DFS as a game of chance rather than a game of skill, so it is subject to stricter controls than the United States.

Are Ontario online gambling sites safe?

You bet! Regulated and safe gambling sites, like the ones featured on this page, are completely safe and secure. All the sites recommended on this page are licensed by AGCO, meaning they adhere to strict standards to ensure your safety.

Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Ontario?

No, Canada does not consider gambling winnings taxable income, so any Ontario online gambling winnings are not subject to tax.

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