The province is home to some of the best casinos in the country. You will find terrific gambling options available throughout Ontario. Whether you want to play slots at a racetrack, compete in an international poker tournament, or enjoy the excitement at a resort-style casino, your options are unlimited!
Of course, you also have the option of playing online. You don’t have to leave your home to play your favourite games. Play on the government-owned gambling site, OLG, or access more than fifteen government-approved private sportsbooks.
What different types of casinos are there in Ontario?
Since the mid-1990s, the province has had many land-based casinos operational. Overall, there are 29 licensed casinos in Ontario. Nearly all of them offer full-service casino features like live dealer table games and slots games. Players who like to bet online can do so as online casinos are now legal in the province.
History of casinos and gambling in Ontario
Before the advent of internet gaming, the province’s gambling options were limited. This all changed in 1985 when each province in Canada was given the authority to regulate its own gambling industry. Four years later, Winnipeg got its first casino. Ontario wasn’t far behind with the first commercial casino in Ontario, Casino Windsor, built just a few years later, bringing gambling culture to the province.
Many more casino Ontario were built due to the success of Casino Windsor. These included Casino Rama and Fallsview Casino. The government then turned its attention to the world of online gambling as an increasing number of people began to visit online casinos from the comfort of their own homes. It is one of the few provinces to have launched its own online casino, PlayOlg.ca. In August 2021, it legalized 15 sportsbooks to operate in the province, increasing the choice of bookies and casinos in Ontario.
Full list of Ontario casinos
The province has some of the world’s best land-based casinos you should visit. These casinos feature well-designed gaming floors and excellent bars, restaurants, hotels, and other amenities, making for a fun night out in some of the most popular locations. Take a look at our top picks:
- Casino Ajax
- Caesars Windsor
- Cascades Casino Chatham
- Casino Niagara
- Casino Rama
- Casino Woodbine
- Elements Casino Brantford
- Elements Casino Flamboro
- Elements Casino Grand River
- Elements Casino Mohawk
- Hard Rock Casino
- Gateway Casino Clinton
- Gateway Casino Innisfil
- Gateway Casino London
- Gateway Casino Sarnia
- Gateway Casino Sault Ste Marie
- Gateway Casino Sudbury
- Gateway Casino Thunder Bay
- Gateway Casino Woodstock
- Great Blue Heron Casino
- Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
- OLG Casino Brantford
- Pickering Casino Resort
- Playtime Casinos Hanover
- Shorelines Casino Belleville
- Shorelines Casino Peterborough
- Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands
- Shorelines Slots Kawartha Downs
- Starlight Casino Point Edward
Overall, you’ll find the province has 29 licensed casinos Ontario, in which you’ll find more than 31,262 slots and gaming machines and a total of 930 table games. So you will have no difficulty in finding a game that suits you.
Are there legal online casinos in Ontario?
In the summer of 2021, major changes occurred to the gambling laws in Canada. This created a legal and regulated market in which private companies could offer casino and sports betting services. People in Canada who wanted to play at an online casino had to risk using an unlicensed offshore website up until then. Ontario was the first province to take advantage of the new law and started handing out licenses to private sportsbooks on April 4, 2022.
Online casinos in Ontario
For players looking for online casinos, we have created a list of the best online casino sites you will find in Ontario.
- 888Sport
- Betway
- com
- Casumo
- JackpotCity
- Leovegas
- Mansion Casino
- Royal Panda.
- Royal Vegas
- Ruby Fortune
- Spin casino
- Tony Bet
On all these sites, you’ll find the generous bonuses and offers that will make your betting experience even more rewarding.
Gambling laws in Ontario
There was no such thing as online casino gambling in the provinces until 2021. With the national government passing bill C-218, provinces could license single-game sports, wagering, and online casino gambling. Ontario, home to 40% of Canada’s population and a slew of professional sports teams, paved the way by launching a legal iGaming market on April 4, 2022. To gamble legally in an Ontario casino or online, you must be at least 19 years old.
Quick facts about gambling in Ontario
Here are some things you may not have known about betting in Ontario:
- All gaming, alcohol and horse racing are regulated by The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
- The province has the largest percentage of active gamblers. About 38% of the population are regular gamblers.
- Slots, Roulette, Card games, and electronic table games are some of the most popular games Ontarians love to play.
Taxation of Gambling Winnings
In Canada, winnings from horse racing, sports betting, lotteries, internet casinos, and other games of chance are not taxed. However, if you’re earning any interest on these winnings, it must be reported on a T5 form. The interest is subject to taxation. And there is a fine if you are caught not paying taxes on this.
Also, you must file taxes if you are a full-time gambler who makes a living from betting, whether online or offline. Professional poker players, blackjack players, and other professional gamblers come under the self-employed category and are liable for taxes on their income.
The Future of Gambling in Ontario
The country’s gambling industry is going to be worth $28 billion in the next five years as a result of the legalization of single-event sports betting and general market growth. In 2021 alone, Ontario generated around $800 million from private sportsbooks.
As previously mentioned, legislation changed to allow privately-owned betting companies to operate sportsbooks with single-event betting. And since other provinces do not appear to be ready to follow Ontario’s lead, they are missing out, as significant sportsbooks are setting up their headquarters in the province.
Not only is Ontario business-friendly for these businesses, but they also don’t need to be tied to a casino, racetrack, or retail location to apply. The addition of igaming, icasino, and sports betting makes the province even more appealing. The popularity of online gambling and sports betting is growing, and the Ontarian government appears to be cashing in.
Responsible gambling in Ontario
PlaySmart Centres can be found all over Ontario to help gamblers. Centres are available on-site at slot machines, casinos, and charitable bingo & gaming centres. These full-service or self-service areas are great for relaxing and learning more about the games. You can speak with the PlaySmart Centre’s knowledgeable and friendly staff. They will answer any of your questions and provide counselling and support if you face gambling problems.
Summary
If you’re from Ontario, there are many online and land-based casinos you can choose from. All of which provide a diverse selection of casino games, including poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, slots, and more. As a result, you can rest assured that your betting experience will be exceptional. They not only have popular casino games to suit your needs but also have jackpots where you can win a large sum of money. So sign up and start playing if you think you’re ready!