The legalization of online casino sites in Canada has encouraged gamblers who were registered with an offshore site to return to a regulated environment where their money is guaranteed to be safe and one that also generates tax revenue for the benefit of Canadian provinces.
AGCO
All gaming suppliers in Ontario have been given clear indication to abide by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) regulatory standards. Operators must adhere to the new standards or cease operations immediately.
The AGCO mission is to establish a regulated iGaming industry free from illegal activity by standardizing better practices and protecting players within the province. All iGaming operators must establish an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario to comply.
US citizens welcome
Anyone aged 19 years and above, regardless of residency, is permitted to gamble online in the province of Ontario. This means that US citizens can venture into Ontario to place their sports bets and gamble online. Even though players must be inside Ontario borders to place a bet, they can still access their accounts when physically located outside of the province.
Regulated Ontario operators
There are approximately 60 fully registered and authorized operators in the Ontario iGaming market. To obtain a license, operators must meet rigorous standards for game integrity, fairness, player protections and social responsibility. Here are some pros and cons to playing on a regulated site:
Pros
- Deposits are protected
- Personal information is secure
- Your winnings are paid
- Fair gaming compliance
- Access to responsible gambling tools
- It’s legal and trustworthy
Cons
- No guarantee that deposits are safe
- Personal information may be exposed to third parties
- Payouts could be delayed or denied
- No accountability to consumers or regulators leading to unfair gaming
- Limited resources for responsible gambling
- Site may be operated by an illegal entity
Safety and security
All top online iGame providers will be licensed by iGaming Ontario or another trusted gaming authority such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). All reputable sites utilize encryption technology to safeguard all data and financial transactions.
Games are provided by licensed and reputable software providers and subject to third party auditors, such as eCOGRA, who monitor RTP rates and RNG software to ensure compliance with fair gaming protocols.
Software providers
Leading iGame providers offer a diverse portfolio of games, including slots, table games and in most cases, a live casino. These games are powered by industry leading developers such as Play’n GO, Microgaming, Big Time Gaming, NetEnt and Playtech.
Payment options
Canada’s best online providers will boast multiple payment options to satisfy even the fussiest of gamblers. You can expect to find reliable and trusted methods such as iDebit, Visa, MasterCard, Trustly, Neteller, Paysafecard, MuchBetter and more.
Bonuses
You can usually pick up a great welcome bonus, whether it is a match deposit or no deposit with free spins. Wagering requirements are usually kept below 35x and validity periods are fair and reasonable. Existing player promotions can include free spins, cashback, reload bonuses and VIP programs.
Mobile compatibility
In this modern age society, more and more players are turning to mobile gaming. The top online casinos in Canada provide fully optimised mobile platforms which adapt to any size screen and are compatible with most major operating systems, including Android and iOS.
Customer support
When things may go wrong, you can usually contact customer support 24/7 at the top online sites. The team will be responsive, knowledgeable and helpful. You should be able to get a hold of them through email or live chat and on the odd occasion by telephone.
If you have any gambling issues, customer support can usually help you to set deposit limits, time limits, time outs or enforced self-exclusions. They will also be able to give you information on useful responsible gambling organizations.
Top five online game providers
Here are the top five online iGame providers in Canada for 2022:
Spin Casino
- Licensed by iGaming Ontario
- 700+ games
- Certified by eCOGRA
- Apple Pay
888 Casino
- Licensed by iGaming Ontario
- 2,000+ games
- Top software providers
- 24/7 customer support
PlayOJO
- Licensed by iGaming Ontario
- 2,000+ games
- Fast withdrawals
- Exclusive games
Unibet
- Licensed by iGaming Ontario
- 1,000+ games
- Leading sportsbook
- Unique games
JackpotCity Casino
- Licensed by iGaming Ontario
- 400+ games
- Mobile casino
- Extensive selection of slots
