In 2025, it turns out you don’t need to fly to Vegas or spend the night in Niagara to hit the slots anymore. More and more Torontonians are turning to online gambling, trading evenings out for playing blackjack, poker and slots from the comfort of their couches.
That means one thing: digital gambling is no longer niche — it’s becoming mainstream one year at a time.
Thanks in part to a better regulatory framework in Ontario that’s opened the door to a wave of licensed platforms, a growing number of Canadians are logging in to play in online casinos.
If you’re thinking of giving it a try, there’s definitely some information to consider.
Ontario’s iGaming revolution
In 2022, Ontario became the first province in the country to launch a regulated iGaming market.
Prior, online gambling had been run by lottery corporations owned by the province. This now gives private companies a chance to enter the online gambling market, as long as they’re licensed and secure.
It’s made the industry boom, so much so that Ontario has quickly become one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in North America, according to iGaming Ontario.
According to iGaming Ontario’s Q3 report, which covers Oct 1–Dec 31, 2023, players in the province placed $17.2 billion in total wagers during that quarter alone.
Finding a legitimate online casino
Not all online casinos are made equally. Especially with the amount of options seen in ads, influencers and affiliate links.
The good news is that there are a lot of platforms that are designed with Canadians in mind, like Grizzly’s Quest, which is a Canadian-themed online casino that offers good deposit methods and lots of support.
The other fun part of Grizzly’s Quest is that they offer games curated for local preferences.
Their branding is centred around the Canadian wilderness, and a game selection that is tailored to Canadian players and their preferences specifically.
Whether you choose Grizzly’s Quest or any online casino, remember to read the terms on bonuses: although welcome offers are tempting, it’s important to make sure you look into wagering requirements and payout conditions.
Choosing a good casino also comes down to other factors, like AGCO licensing, which ensures the site is operating legally in Ontario. The iGaming Ontario operator list is helpful with this as you can check if a casino is registered here.
What are online gambling rules in Ontario?
While online gambling is legal in Ontario, there are some rules to consider before you dive in.
You can legally gamble if you’re 19 and older, and if you’re physically located in the province of Ontario. Most apps will confirm your location using location services.
And finally, ensure gambling will be done through an AGCO-licensed platform.
As private companies are entering the online gambling sphere in Ontario, user will be getting better experiences and more choices.
Just remember to play responsibly and play within your limits before diving in.
