Ontario Online Gambling Guide: Best Legal Gambling Sites March 2025

The best Ontario gambling sites

With the current gaming laws in the state, Ontario online slots and table games are almost a click away for you to access. You can play live casino games or others you prefer through your PC or smartphone wherever you are. Try the best casino apps and the latest progressive jackpots or enjoy the thrill of live dealer games.

There are plenty of Ontario online casino sites. How to choose one? Every new player will have plenty of questions in mind. The best way to decide is to save yourself a bit of time and start by reading our reviews for Canadian players. We have already shortlisted those portals with the most exciting casino games in ON.

We also checked to make sure that the platforms are safe and use current methods for data protection on the Internet.

Don’t forget the online banking methods. You will need to be able to able to deposit fast and easily. The top portals offer all of the payment methods that you have already used in your regular life. This helps you because you won’t need to open another account. Later, you spent some time playing online blackjack and wanted to withdraw your funds. It should also be easy to do so. Each licensed online casino strives to provide an excellent experience for players like you.

Ontario gambling and safety

This Canadian province can boast with a regulated market, being proactive in developing its gambling infrastructure by becoming the pioneer in establishing a comprehensive framework for both retail and web services. Since April 2022, numerous brands have launched online Ontario casino websites. Players have access to gaming sites that pay taxes and follow the regulations, including fair play and responsible gambling (RG). The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the body that regulates and oversees all forms, including Internet portals in the province.

The AGCO is a regulatory agency responsible for regulating the alcohol, horse racing, and gaming industries in the province. Its aim is to ensure that these industries are managed socially responsibly in accordance with the provincial laws and regulations. The commission partners closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate all illegal activities in the said industries.

To verify if an online casino has an AGCO license check the following things:

For most individuals, this activity is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime, but for some it poses a risk of addiction leading to serious personal and financial issues. Recognizing this issue, the best Ontario gambling sites prioritize RG, providing detailed information on how to maintain control.

The following platforms offer links to specialized agencies for expert advice and support on problems:

Ontario gambling laws through time

The gambling scene in Ontario has experienced significant transformations, influenced by legislative alterations, regulatory bodies, and technological advancements. Commencing in the 1960s, the industry has evolved, yielding substantial profits for the economy of the province. The following events outline key stages and events that have shaped the development of offline and online games of chance as well as the sports betting market.

1960s – 1974 – Setting of the Criminal Code and amendments

After the setting of the Canadian Criminal Code in the 1960s, an amendment was made that allowed some forms of gambling. Later, in 1874, the Criminal Code of Canada outlawed some ‘games of chance’ such as card games and lotteries.

1975 – The creation of the Lottery and Gaming Corporation

In 1975, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation of Ontario was set up and started its existence, which was responsible for Canada’s casinos, slot games, racetracks, and lotteries. In 1985, this organization allowed provinces to gain control over their gambling laws. The government of Canada keeps its rights to control horse racing.

1892 – The opening of the first horse racing track

In 1892, the Ontario Jockey Club launched its first horse racing track at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. At the time, horse race betting was not considered gambling, thus it was legal.

1992 – Regulation of brick-and-mortar establishments

The Gaming Control Act of 1992 was introduced, responsible for regulating land-based casinos in the country. Two years later, in 1994, the first legal venue to operate in Ontario – Windsor (now operating as Caesars Windsor) opens doors.

1998 – The ACGO is the regulatory authority over Ontario casinos

In 1998, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (ACGO) takes regulatory control over the gambling establishments.

2015 – The introduction of the Horse Racing License Act

In 2015, the Horse Racing License Act was introduced, which gave the AGCO responsibility for regulating horse racing in the province. The same year Playolg.ca – the state-run online casino was opened and made accessible to Ontarian players.

2018 – The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act

In 2018, Bill C-218 – the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act was introduced. It decriminalized single-game betting across entire Canada.

2021 – Legalization of betting

With the enactment of Bill C-218, in 2021 it became legal for provincial governments, or individuals licensed by a province to conduct a lottery scheme involving betting on a race (excluding horse race wagering), a fight, or a single sports event or athletic contest. On August 27, 2021, PROLINE+, a province-run sportsbook was launched for Ontarians. 2021 was also the year when the Government set up iGaming Ontario with the aim of overseeing licenses for gambling platforms and brands operating on the Internet.

2022 – Legal iGaming

One of the most important Ontario gambling laws was launched on April 4, 2022, when legal and regulated iGaming became reality. The first regulated online sportsbooks started operating the same year.

2023 – Positive contributions from the Ontario iGaming market – July 19, 2023

According to research by Deloitte made in June 2023, during the first year of its operation, the Internet gambling market of the province has provided C$1.5bn in economic revenue. The report, released by iGaming Ontario (iGO), reveals that the online gambling industry here has created 12,000 new jobs in the province, which generated C$900m in benefits through salary payments. Most of these jobs are well-paying, with average wages for workers at C103,000, which is around C$30,000 over the average Ontarian wage.

July – August 2023 – Chair replacements

Following the departure of former Chair Lalit Aggarwal, July 24, 2023, AGCO has appointed Dave Forestell as his successor. Prior to Forestell’s confirmation, the board’s Vice-Chair, Heidi Reinhart, temporarily assumed his responsibilities.

iGaming Ontario (iGO) has officially announced that on August 1, 2023, Heidi Reinhart will assume the role of chair, succeeding the departing Dave Forestell. In addition to her role as a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, where she specializes in securities and corporate law, Reinhart has been a member of the AGCO board of directors since 2020.

October 2023 – Ontario iGaming figures with steady growth

On October 10, 2023, the iGaming statistics reveal consistent expansion. The second-quarter data from iGaming Ontario (iGO) indicates a total of C$14.2 billion in web betting on sports and online gaming within the province. The casino market accounts for 84% of this amount.

The most important gambling laws

Is gambling legal in Ontario? This is the most important question that may be on your mind if you a resident of the state. Hopefully, yes. The landscape in the state has undergone substantial changes influenced by legislative shifts, regulatory institutions, and evolving advancement in betting. The Canadian Criminal Code in the 1960s, permitted certain forms. However, back in 1874, Ontario gambling laws prohibited specific games, including card games and lotteries.

A pivotal development in the province’s scene was the emerging of the OLG in 1975. Autonomy over casino laws was granted to Canadian provinces ten years later. The Gaming Control Act in 1992 regulated brick-and-mortar establishments, and Casino Windsor was the first legal venue to be opened in the province back in 1994.

A significant regulatory milestone occurred in 1998 when the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) took control of the province’s gambling. The Horse Racing License Act of 2015 empowered the AGCO to regulate horse racing, which coincided with the launch of the state-run iGaming portal, Playolg.ca.

In 2018, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act decriminalized single-game betting across Canada. Further changes in 2021 legalized wagering on various events through Bill C-218, leading to the launch of PROLINE+ and the establishment of iGaming Ontario.

By 2022, legal and regulated iGaming became a reality in the province, ushering in a new era for the state. The positive contributions from the iGaming market in July 2023, as reported by Deloitte, ensured significant economic revenue and job creation. Following Chair Lalit Aggarwal’s departure, Dave Forestell was appointed, with Heidi Reinhart succeeding him in August 2023. As of October 2023, iGaming Ontario reported steady growth, with C$14.2 billion in online betting on sports and casino gaming, emphasizing the resilience and prosperity of Ontario’s gambling industry.