Ontario - online gambling regulations

No matter where in the world you find yourself, there are always some forms of gambling you can enjoy, whether it is land-based or online. In Canada, there are friendly people to meet and lots of gambling activities and entertainment to enjoy, especially in Ontario.

Gambling in Canada

Gambling, in its different forms and shapes, has become an integral part of Canadian community life. While there are very few local superstitions and traditions, the Canadians seem to have adopted a couple of luck-based beliefs from other gamble-friendly regions.

According to the Chinese, some shared superstitions and lucky rituals include wearing red, which is believed to bring good fortune. Canadians cross their fingers as a sign of good luck and prefer entering through the side or back entrances, as the main entrance is believed to bring bad luck. And, of course, Canadians also believe in the luck brought on by horseshoes, certain jewellery pieces, and rabbit feet. 

In 2022, Ontario became a regulated gambling market in Canada. Since its launch, Ontario's market has grown immensely and we cannot miss to delve into details about the regulations in Ontario!

History of gambling in Ontario

Before you can embrace the new, you need to be aware of and mindful of the past. Ontario is one of those regions with a very rich and interesting history in gambling that still influences trends in society today.

Gaming has been a part of the region for hundreds of years. In fact, according to the history retellings, it dates back to the Indigenous people in Canada, who had a long history of gambling participation in games like Slahal (The Stick Game), which is played to this day.

During the Colonial Era, by the 1830s, Canadians also saw other forms of gambling introduced by European settlers. One of these forms was horse racing, which became quite popular, leading to the opening of the Elora race track in 1833. It became Ontario’s first permanent legal gambling enterprise.

In 1975, Ontario launched its first official lottery, which, in many ways, marked a big shift in online gambling activities.

From there, we saw the first commercial casino open its doors in Ontario in 1993. The province boasts more slot machines than any other casino in Canada. Then, in 2022, Ontario became the first province to legalise online gambling, creating one of North America's largest iGaming markets.

Significant dates in history like these have established Ontario as a leader in the Canadian online gambling industry.

The role of lotteries in the gambling culture

One thing that is very clear within the rich history of Canada’s gambling industry is the significant role lotteries had in forming or legalising gambling in Canada. Lotteries helped raise funds for charities and paved the way for public trust and acceptance of gambling as a legitimate activity.

Of course, gambling had a big impact on the economy, bringing in big revenue for the provincial governments. Many of the funds generated were used for public services, including infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

In many ways, lotteries served as a gateway for all other forms of gambling as they normalised gambling as well as the ability to do so online and on land. Of course, some other benefits they encouraged were the feeling of community involvement and excitement. Not to mention that the lotteries have been among the biggest fighters and promotions for responsible gaming practices. Which sets the standard in terms of responsible gaming measures and player protection.

At the end of the day, lotteries are a key component in the journey of legalising online gambling. It’s part of the reason gambling options have expanded in the region, and the revenue has increased.

Current regulations

The Ontario online gambling market officially launched on April 4, 2022. The industry is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO). These organisations ensure that online gambling operators adhere to strict standards to ensure that the games are fair, the players are protected, and gambling takes place responsibly.

Some important things to remember is that operators have to get licensing from AGCO and iGO before they can legally offer gambling entertainment within the region.

Types of legal gambling options in Ontario

There are a couple of legal and licensed gambling forms you can take part in during your time in Ontario, Canada.

This includes:

• Online Casinos – Access to online slots and table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Poker and more.
• Poker – Poker is not just a small fish in the online gambling pond. There are also legal cash games and tournaments you can participate in.
• Lottery Games – There’s access to a wide range of traditional lottery games which you can participate in online and offline.
• Bingo – Another instant win type of game activity you can legally enjoy here is Bingo.

Sportsbetting in Ontario

In case you have been thinking about or have had questions about online betting activities, Sportsbetting is available and legal in Ontario. Sportsbooks must adhere to rules and regulations similar to those of online casinos and lotteries.

Some rules include licensing from AGCO and iGaming Ontario and an age limit of 19 or older. No players under this age are allowed to participate. The types of bets available include pre-match and live betting options, along with single-event and parlay bets. Of course, sportsbooks are also required to add responsible gambling tools to help with safe gameplay, implement limits, and opt for exclusion.

When it comes to advertising sports betting activities, there are strict rules to ensure it does not mislead or attract minors. And a big benefit of this regulated market is that strict measures are implemented in an effort to prevent match-fixing and allow for betting on sports events of integrity.

Is gambling taxable in Ontario?

No, as a casual player in Ontario there is no requirements to pay taxed on your online casino winning. This includes winnings on sports betting, horse racing, lotteries and casino games. Your gambling winnings can be withdrawn without any added tax fees.

Is online gambling legal in Ontario?

Online gambling has been legal within Ontario since the regulatory changes in April 2022. Players in the region don’t have to travel far or wide for online betting entertainment. Instead, they can enjoy all the regulated gaming platforms, from online slots to sports betting entertainment.

If you’re unsure of where to play, it’s always recommended to stick to licensed websites as they offer an extra layer of protection and focus on creating a user-friendly and secure betting experience.

The licensed and regulated platforms will all carry the iGaming Ontario logo at the bottom of the homepage or anywhere on the screen. These platforms all have an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario and have the opportunity to offer regulated games and betting platforms to all Ontarian players above 18.

The online gambling industry in Ontario has been regulated for over two years. Since its launch in 2022, AGCO has awarded licenses to over 70 casinos deemed of the highest quality and offering gaming at the highest standards.

An Ipsos survey from 2023 also showed that over 85% of Ontario online gamblers play on regulated platforms, which is quite a big improvement considering that around 70% chose unregulated platforms before. It’s a rapid change, with only 15% playing on unregulated platforms in comparison to the 85% playing on regulated platforms.

The future of gambling in Ontario

The online gaming market in Ontario has made room for lots of improvements and competition among online gaming brands. According to the trends, most bets are placed at the top five casinos.

One of the biggest focuses for the online gambling environment of Ontario is to keep the focus on local, licensed platforms that offer a quality game selection in a secure gaming environment where all the right safeguards are in place to protect the players. This includes limiting advertisements and the content that can be made available on these platforms.

The plan is to further implement technological advancements and expand the immersive experiences the platforms have to offer as they try to authenticate the online live gaming experience. One of these days, you might not even have to travel far to get that real casino experience.