If you’ve ever found yourself asking the question: can I gamble online in Ontario?’ That makes sense. After all, we do so much more of our living online than we did 20 years ago.

The answer, in a nutshell, is yes. You can gamble online in Ontario, and there are licensed Ontario online casinos. The nuanced answer is also, well, yes. Here’s what you need to know.

The Legal Stuff

First question: is online gambling legal in Ontario? It’s a complicated one, but until recently, online gambling was, to the benefit of some niche Canadian industries, a bit of a grey area in Canada. Federal laws forbid an unlicensed person to promote, directly or indirectly, a lottery scheme, yet allow provinces to bid on a monopoly licence to publicise and administer gambling products within their borders.

The good news for Ontario (the only province in Canada to break from the shared gambling market and go it alone since 2012, operating its own casinos and slot halls) came in April 2022, after years of waiting: it was the first Canadian jurisdiction to open up its online gambling market to private operators.

Though OLG.ca, the desktop site of the government-backed Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), is the only legal online casino in Ontario, a spate of private operators have opened up shop. Provided casinos and other gaming venues have a licence granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It’s completely above board and safe to play.

Why Play at Online Ontario Casinos?

Why even play at Ontario casinos - what’s the point? Well, they are fun. The online casino experience in Ontario is like nothing else, with endless great casinos that offer exceptional games. Because of the fact that Ontario casinos are quite regulated, the quality tends to be much higher than in other markets. They don’t have the option to be sub-par.

Convenience is another huge draw. No need to get dressed, no need to leave the house, no need even to pull on your pants! You can play your games at all hours of the day or night, right from your smartphone, tablet or computer. In fact, you might already be lying on your sofa or stuck in traffic - no matter! Bring out the casino.

But there’s another reason to choose an Ontario-licensed online casino over an offshore site. It’s this: it's licensed - it’s legal. When you play Ontario casinos under AGCO authority, you have rights. The casino must operate according to rules. That means fair games, safe payments, and responsible gambling practices. It means, everyone follows the rules and there are no opportunities for corruption or ill-will.

And these are just a few of the reasons to play at Ontario online casinos. You will discover more positives as you explore the industry and take in everything it has to offer.

What Types of Games Can You Play?

Now that the legal situation and the benefits are out of the way, let’s get fun. Let’s get to the games! If you’ve been in a casino before, then you’ll know everything you love in there will be available online, as well as many games you really don’t expect. Just as is the case with music streaming sites - you have different genres and then countless songs - the same rings true with online casinos.

In most online casinos, the overwhelming favourite is normally slots. Slots are easy to play and provide ample fun - they are perfect for the casual casino fan.

Prefer not to spin the reels? Same goes for table games; if it’s been in a land-based casino, you’ll find it online: blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker - it's all yours for the taking. And if you feel like playing a more immersive live version of your favourite casino game, you can head towards the live dealer section, where the person spinning the wheel or dealing the cards will be there, in real life, on the other side of the computer.

Those who wish to be different are hardly left empty-handed, as some online casinos in Ontario boast speciality games like bingo, keno and scratch cards, as well as integrated sportsbooks which allow you to bet on your favourite teams and sports events around the world.

Conclusion

So, do you think you’ll give any Ontario online casinos a try? If so, I’d say you’d be in for a pretty good time. Ontario has some incredible online casinos - some would say some of the best in the world. Some of my personal favourites call Ontario their stomping ground - you can’t beat the professionalism found in Ontario.

Whether you decide to try out some Ontario casinos or not, just make sure you gamble responsibly. It can be all too easy to get pulled in and make poor decisions, especially if you are brand new to online casinos. This is why it is vital that you set budgets and never view gambling as a viable way to make money. It’s just a hobby, nothing more. See you next time, and Have fun!