Best online casinos in Ontario ?? September 2024

JackpotCity - The casino with the strongest reputation

Pros

? Winner of Casino.org's 'Best Casino of the Year' 2019

? Solve your queries 24/7 with live chat support

? 20+ live casino game varieties, more than most casinos

Cons

? A smaller games lobby for players in Ontario, with nearly 100 fewer games

Read our full JackpotCity review.

JackpotCity is an established online casino that's been trusted by players since 1998. It's honed a quality player experience that includes a high payout rate (98.46% over a 96% average) and the biggest range of live casino options I've seen in Ontario. Live baccarat, sic bo, and Andar Bahar sit alongside the usual blackjack and roulette titles.

?? User review: "I’ve had some really great wins on JackpotCity and had no issues getting paid out. My biggest withdrawal was $8,000 back in June and had my funds within two days." Tight_Celebration146, Reddit user, October 13, 2022

?? Editor's insight: While some players have complained about JackpotCity's payout speeds, I found the three to seven day time about average. It seems that these players hadn't cleared wagering requirements or hadn't verified their accounts. Wagering requirements at JackpotCity Ontario are rather steep, however, at 70x. I'd like to see these lowered below 30x for the casino to receive five out of five stars.

Casino.org rating: 4.3/5 ?

PlayOJO - Best casino loyalty program

Pros

? Play an above average lobby of 3,000+ CFG approved games

? Exclusive higher game RTPs across the site as a PlayOJO VIP

? Excellent mobile app, rated 4/5 and 4.5/5 on Android and iOS

Cons

? You can't telephone for player support

PlayOJO's VIP program, the OJO A-Listers, is popular with players for boosting payouts on all games. This is done through money back, which is paid on any bets eligible players make. This is one of the best rewards I've seen offered in Ontario. Add to this the extensive 3,000 games lobby, and PlayOJO Ontario just needs to add some progressive jackpot games to perfect its offering.

Read our full PlayOJO Ontario review.

?? User review: "PlayOJO is one of the best online casinos in my opinion for blackjack, roulette, and slots. There's also no wagering or minimum withdrawals which I really appreciate and I wish more casinos offered this." Fabulous_Use7916, Reddit user, June 11, 2024

?? Editor's insight: Some user reviews have noted the verification process can take a while at PlayOJO casino. I did get stuck, but soon fixed this by talking to customer service. They were quick to respond and helpful. I recommend verifying your identity as soon as you sign up, instead of waiting until you want to withdraw.

Casino.org rating: 4.3/5 ?

PowerPlay Casino - Best range of games

Pros

? Games from the industry's best providers, like Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution

? Some of the fastest withdrawal processing in the industry, within 2 hours

? More support options than most casinos, including phone and live chat

Cons

? There's no Android PowerPlay app

PowerPlay Ontario packs the best range of games for diversity over its 700+ titles. There's over 580 slots, 60+ table games, and 30 live casino titles. By comparison, some Ontario gambling sites have under 30 table games and even fewer live games. With 50+ new titles recently added, it's a casino that really innovates in gaming. I'd just like to see easier menus and search added to futureproof the growing lobby.

Read our full PowerPlay casino review.

?? User review: "Grade A customer service. I deposit and withdraw using Interac online wherever possible. PowerPlay has my winnings into my account in less than 2 hours almost every time." WaroftheGods, TrustPilot review, April 5, 2024

?? Editor's insight: PowerPlay casino gets a low rating on the App Store, but I found the app worked well and included most games. Unfortunately, a smaller number of reviews can skew the rating figure. The app is free to download, so I recommend trying it yourself instead.

Casino.org rating: 4.5/5 ?

Best payout online casinos in Ontario

There are two ways you can consider a site a ‘best payout casino.’ The payout rate is the average percentage the casino pays out in winnings across all bets over time. This is the casino’s RTP or win rate. To ensure fair play, Ontario gambling law requires all casinos to have a payout rate of 85% or more. The best casinos will be much higher than this, though.

You may also be looking for the best payout speed when you choose an Ontario online casino for real money games. This means winning funds are transferred to you as quickly as possible. Below, you can compare the win rates and payout speeds to see which online casinos offer the best.

How legal online gambling in Ontario works

Ontario is the only Canadian province with a regulated gambling market. iGaming in Ontario launched on April 4th 2022. Today the province has over 77 regulated online casinos and sports betting sites. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) report that 86% of bettors in Ontario now play on regulated sites.

Previously, the only casinos available to players were unregulated offshore sites. These weren't validated for fair play, security, or payout reliability. With the passage of government Bill C-218 in August 2021, provinces could license single-game sports wagering and online casino gambling.

What's changed since the launch?

Regulation means various benefits to you as a player. Ontario sets a minimum payout rate that casinos must meet to ensure fair returns on wagers. AGCO's Registrar Standards for Internet Gaming benchmark game randomness, ensure legal conduct of casinos, and enforce standards for responsible gambling tools. Overall, this has meant fairer, safer, and more secure online gambling in Ontario and a higher quality of casinos online.

Since the 2022 launch, Ontario's gambling scene has been rapidly developing. As Canada's most populous province, and 40% of the population, there is a burgeoning market here. In fact, according to iGaming Ontario (iGO), Ontario players now wager more on casino games than any sports-related betting.

How are Ontario online casinos regulated?

Every licensed online casino in Ontario is managed by iGaming Ontario and listed on their website. Each casino must register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to receive a licence. The Commission was set up in February 1998 and regulates all forms of local and online gambling in Ontario. AGCO set up iGO in July 2021 as a subsidiary, specifically to oversee online gambling.

The two organizations set the requirements all casinos must meet. These include legal benchmarks for fair games and promotions, player data security, financial best practice, advertising rules, and responsible gambling.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports legal in Ontario?

Yes, it is, but all players in the pool must be located in Ontario. This means the market is small and Ontario players cannot access the large prize pots open to players from around the globe. As such, operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel do not offer DFS in Ontario. There have been rumours that this may change in the future, so we'll keep this page up to date.

• Ontario gaming generates nearly 15,000 jobs in its second year (June 19, 2024): A report from iGaming Ontario noted the second year of regulated gambling has seen jobs in the sector continue to grow. The industry is worth $1.24 billion to the province.
• Ontario Superior Court rules in favour of Ontario's iGaming model (May 13, 2024): iGaming in Ontario was validated by the Court as compliant with the Criminal Code, following a legal challenge by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke.
• Government pledges $9m towards responsible gambling (April 2, 2024): The Responsible Gambling Council confirms the Ontario government will invest even further into responsible gambling messaging.
• Ontario bans use of celebrities in gambling ads (February 28, 2024): Athletes and celebrities are no longer allowed to appear in gambling ads in Ontario. The only exception is to advocate for responsible gambling practises.
• Air Dice Group awarded AGCO licence (February 19, 2024): The game developer Air Dice Group has been awarded a B2B licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The developer is known for top casino games like Gunslinger Legends: Bounty Hunter, Flaming Bombs, and Fire Lion.
• iGaming figures growing in Ontario (February 4, 2024): iGaming Ontario released its Q3 market performance report this month. The figures show a huge 21% increase over Q2 and revenue of $658 million.
• iGaming Ontario plans self-exclusion platform (November 29, 2023): iGaming Ontario makes plans for a central self-exclusion platform. This will likely come in 2024 and will allow casino players to exclude themselves from any licensed operators.
• iGO installs Heidi Reinhart as new Chair (August 1, 2023): iGaming Ontario (iGO) confirms Heidi Reinhart will be replacing departing chair Dave Forestell, who was recently appointed the Chair of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Reinhart has been a member of the AGCO board of directors since 2020.

Upcoming changes in the Ontario iGaming world

As the iGaming industry in Ontario goes from strength to strength, we expect the market to keep growing. Here are the biggest changes you can expect in 2024 and beyond.

• Continued growth, working with operators and other third parties: The iGO's 2024-2027 Business Plan outlines several expansion ideas. These include working with operators, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and the AGCO to bring more choice to players. VIXIO Gambling Compliance predicts rapid growth to a revenue of $1.5 billion by 2026.
• Sustained commitment to responsible gambling: As noted above, the Ontario government will invest $9m in responsible gambling as part of a three-year plan. In addition, the iGO is still searching for a centralized self-exclusion solution. This will allow you to self-exclude from all Ontario iGaming operators with ease.
• More casinos and software providers: As the AGCO renews licences for the likes of BetMGM and PlayOJO, new sites like Tooniebet.com are set to launch in the province. With more operators, we can expect software providers like Soft2Bet to follow suit too.

Top casino apps to use in Ontario

While online casino apps aren't commonplace in Ontario, a growing number of casinos offer them for Android and iPhone. Casino apps offer a much more personalized experience when gaming. For example, you might receive push notifications for new games, or access unique, app-exclusive features.

Check out our list of the best casino apps in Ontario below. You can also read our dedicated casino apps in Ontario page to learn more.

• 2024: Ontario becomes one of the biggest North American iGaming markets, taking over $35.6 billion in total wagers.
• 2023: In November, iGaming Ontario announces a self exclusion tool it will launch in 2024, allowing bettors to exclude themselves from all Ontario operators.
• 2023: Ontario regulated gambling created 12,000 jobs over year one, according to a iGO report on June 14.
• 2022: In person sports betting launches at retail casinos from October 2022.
• 2022: Legal and regulated iGaming is launched on April 4, 2022.
• 2021: iGaming Ontario established to oversee online gambling licences.
• 2021: PROLINE+, a province run sportsbook by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, goes live for Ontarians on August 27, 2021.
• 2021: Bill C-218 passes. It's now legal for provincial governments, or anyone licensed by a province, to run a lottery scheme that involves betting on a race (other than a horse-race), a fight, or a single sports event or athletic contest.
• 2015: The Horse Racing Licence Act is introduced, giving the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) responsibility for horse racing in the province.
• 2015: State-run online casino, Playolg.ca, is launched and made available to Ontarians.
• 1998: The ACGO takes regulatory control over Ontario casinos.
• 1994: Casino Windsor (now Caesars Windsor) opens, becoming the first legal casino to operate in the province.
• 1992: The Gaming Control Act of 1992 is introduced, regulating land-based casinos.
• 1975: The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is established, and is responsible for the province's lotteries, casinos, slot machines, and race tracks.
• 1960s: The Canadian Criminal Code is amended to allow some forms of gambling across the country.
• 1892: The Ontario Jockey Club opened its first horse racing track at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto - horse race wagering was not considered gambling at the time.
• 1874: The Criminal Code of Canada is established, outlawing 'games of chance' such as card games and lotteries.

• iGaming Ontario - the body regulating the online casino market in the province, offers responsible gambling advice.
• ConnexOntario - an organization broadly focused on mental health, includes assistance for problem gambling in its portfolio.
• The Center for Addiction and Mental Health - provides a problem gambling website with a wealth of self-help tools and practical support.
• The Responsible Gambling Council - they have worked for decades in this area and are an experienced source of assistance.
• YMCA of Greater Toronto - the YMCA's Youth Gambling Awareness Program offers workshops, community projects and referral services to help young people make informed decisions on gambling.
• ?? Connex Ontario phone number: 1-866-531-2600
• ?? The Ontario Gambling helpline: 1-888-230-3505

For more recent updates you can also check back to iGaming Ontario's official directory.

References

• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• ConnexOntario
• Parliament of Canada
• iGaming Ontario