Since April 4, 2022, Ontario has had something no other province had at the time: a regulated online gambling market open to private companies. Dozens of online casinos and sportsbooks now operate legally in the province, alongside OLG’s own site. More choice is useful, but it also means players have to do a little homework. Here is how the system works and what to check before you open an account.
Who runs Ontario’s online gambling market
Two provincial bodies share the job.
- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is the regulator. It registers operators and suppliers and enforces the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, which set the rules on everything from identity checks to advertising.
- iGaming Ontario (iGO) conducts and manages the market on the province’s behalf. It signs operating agreements with private companies, which then run their sites under its oversight.
The split exists because of the Criminal Code, which allows provinces to conduct and manage gambling but not to simply hand out licences to private casinos. The iGO model lets private brands operate while the province keeps control of the scheme.
OLG continues to offer its own online games and sports betting through OLG.ca and PROLINE+.
How to tell if a site is regulated in Ontario
Not every gambling site that Ontario residents can reach is part of the regulated market. Before you deposit, check three things.
- Look for the iGaming Ontario logo. The AGCO describes it as a sign that a site is subject to Ontario’s standards.
- Check the official list. The AGCO publishes a list of registered internet gaming operators, and iGO publishes a directory of the operators it has agreements with. If a brand is not there, it is not part of the regulated market.
- Check which version of the site you are on. Many international brands run a separate Ontario site, often on a different web address. The brand name alone does not tell you whether you are on the regulated version.
Sites outside the regulated market do not have to follow Ontario’s player protection rules, and if something goes wrong, the AGCO cannot step in on your behalf.
What regulation gives you as a player
The Registrar’s Standards cover a long list of protections. The ones that matter most day to day are:
- Age and identity checks. Operators must confirm you are 19 or older, the legal age in Ontario, and verify who you are.
- Responsible gambling tools. Registered sites must offer deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and must make responsible gambling information easy to find. BetGuard is also a way to self-exclude across the regulated market, alongside individual operators’ tools.
- Fair games. Games must meet technical testing requirements.
- Security and anti-money laundering controls.
- A complaints path. You raise a complaint with the operator first. If it is not resolved, you can bring it to the AGCO. Note that this does not guarantee recovery of money or resolution of a payment dispute.
Advertising rules you may have noticed
If online gambling ads in Ontario feel more restrained than they did a few years ago, that is by design.
- Operators cannot publicly advertise bonuses and sign-up offers. Those offers can only be shown once you are on an operator’s Ontario site or app, or sent to you directly if you have given your consent there.
- Since February 28, 2024, Ontario gambling ads cannot use active or retired athletes, except to promote responsible gambling. Celebrities and influencers likely to appeal to minors are also restricted.
- All gambling advertising must include a responsible gambling message.
A practical tip follows from this: if you see a public ad in Ontario that leads with a big bonus or a famous athlete, be cautious about where it leads.
Payments and taxes
Regulated Ontario sites deal in Canadian dollars and typically support familiar Canadian payment methods such as Interac, though the options vary by operator. Expect to verify your identity before your first withdrawal; that is part of the rules.
For most Canadians, gambling winnings from recreational play are not taxed. The Canada Revenue Agency treats it differently only in limited cases, such as when gambling is carried on as a business. If you are unsure, check with the CRA or a tax professional.
A checklist before you sign up
- Is the site registered with the AGCO and part of iGaming Ontario?
- Are you on the Ontario version of the site?
- Have you set a deposit limit before your first deposit?
- Do you understand the terms on any offer you accept, including any playthrough requirements?
- Do you know how to use the time-out and self-exclusion tools?
Some Canadian casino reviews can help you compare licensing, payout times and responsible gambling tools before you sign up. Whatever you read, cross-check the operator against the AGCO’s list of registered sites and look for the iGaming Ontario logo.
Where to get help
If gambling stops being fun, help is free and confidential. ConnexOntario offers information and referrals for problem gambling services across the province, 24 hours a day, at 1-866-531-2600. OLG’s PlaySmart site also has tools and information for players and their families.
Online gambling in Ontario is for adults 19 and older. Play responsibly.
About the Author
