Interested in trying your hand at some online casino games in Ontario? But wait – is online gambling in Ontario even legal in the first place? That answer is now, officially, yes!
We’ll explore the legality of online casino gaming for Ontarians and how you can download different online casino apps. Players should choose the right Ontario casino apps to ensure maximum enjoyment and minimal risk.
Best Ontario Online Casino Sites May 2022
Best For Loyalty Program
with BetMGM Ontario App
Available On: Android, iOS, Web Browser
Provinces Allowed: Ontario
Best For Loyalty Program
BetMGM Casino Ontario
Licensed By
AGCO
Approved By
iGO
MGM Online has one of the best reputations in the industry, both for the quality of its casino app as well as the plethora of games. In particular, BetMGM Ontario offers an incredible selection of slots.
Learn more about BetMGM’s platforms: Sportsbook | Casino | Poker
- One of the largest varieties of online slots in Ontario.
- An ongoing rewards program that seamlessly integrates into land-based MGM casinos.
- Easy to navigate online casino app.
Terms and conditions apply.
Best For New Players
with BetRivers Ontario App
Available On: Android, iOS, Web Browser
Provinces Allowed: Ontario
Best For New Players
BetRivers Casino Ontario
Affiliate Code
SHARPCAS
Licensed By
AGCO
Approved By
iGO
BetRivers is one of the top user-friendly online casino platforms now available in Ontario. Website and mobile app design are simplified, allowing for faster load times. Some Ontarians may be familiar with BetRivers by using their free-to-play platform, CASINO4FUN.
Learn more about BetRivers Casino (Code: SHARPCAS)
Learn more about BetRivers Sportsbook (Code: SHARPSB)
Terms and conditions apply.
Best For Player Incentives
with Caesars Ontario App
Available On: Android, iOS, Web Browser
Provinces Allowed: Ontario
Best For Player Incentives
Caesars Casino Ontario
Licensed By
AGCO
Approved By
iGO
Caesars Casino’s claim to fame is that they can make everyone feel like an Emperor. With a strong sportsbook app operating alongside some of the top online casino games in Ontario, we anticipate that Caesars could dominate the new regulated gambling industry in Ontario.
Terms and conditions apply.
Best For Live Dealers
with bet365 Ontario App
Available On: Android, iOS, Web Browser
Provinces Allowed: Ontario
Best For Live Dealers
bet365 Casino Ontario
Licensed By
AGCO
Approved By
iGO
Similar to the sportsbook platform, bet365 Casino has extensive offerings for players. It’s accessible for any kind of player, be it those who will play small hands or high rollers. There are a number of side bets to consider in card games. In general, the experience when playing with live dealers is terrific, whether it’s poker, blackjack, roulette, or any other game. A seamless transition from the gray market to legal territory in Ontario shows the dedication the operator has in security for its players – as it does in other parts of the world.
Terms and conditions apply.
Best For Exclusive Slots
with Unibet Ontario App
Available On: Android, iOS, Web Browser
Provinces Allowed: Ontario
Best For Exclusive Slots
Unibet Casino Ontario
Licensed By
AGCO
Approved By
iGO
Unibet’s online casino in Ontario is one of the many options now available for gamblers in the province. One of the best features available on the platform is slot options. From penny slots to hundred-dollar spins, there are plenty of features for any type of player. Unibet currently operates out of the UK and has been one of many popular gray market options for Ontario bettors for years.
Terms and conditions apply.
Best For Visual Appeal
with PartyCasino Ontario App
Available On: Web Browser (Desktop and Mobile)
Provinces Allowed: Ontario
Best For Visual Appeal
PartyCasino Ontario
Licensed By
AGCO
Approved By
iGO
PartyCasino has something for everyone, from online table games to jackpot games to sports betting. But the main draw for this site is its extensive selection of slots, an impressive array that rivals any other operator in Ontario.
If you love online poker, you can use your PartyCasino account at its sister site, PartyPoker. While switching between sites is not always the most convenient, having two separate platforms allows both PartyCasino and PartyPoker to focus in on what they do well and therefore offer an even better product.
Learn more about PartyPoker here.
Terms and conditions apply.
Ontario Online Casino Apps
All of the following platforms have been approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
Toronto Sports Media’s Editors Choice
Other Casinos Now Available In Ontario
- 888casino
- Coolbet Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- LeoVegas Casino
- PointsBet Casino
- Royal Panda Casino
- theScore Bet Casino
Best Online Casino Apps In Ontario
Ontario has opened up its online casino market to additional commercial operators. BetRivers entered the Ontario market last year with a free-to-play offering (no real money winnings), but now the real thing is available on mobile devices as well as desktops and laptops for all Ontarians aged 19 and up. Even better, Ontario is still accepting more applications for future online casinos.
BetMGM Casino
Additional information on BetMGM Ontario
BetMGM offers numerous slots, table games, and live dealer options on their casino platform. Jackpots in progressive contests continue to rise over time.
BetRivers Casino
Additional information on BetRivers Ontario
BetRivers’ online casino is chock-full of high-quality slot games, video poker games, table games, and even live casino games. The fact that it has been around for a while as a free-to-play app certainly helps Ontario residents feel more comfortable with how BetRivers Casino works.
Caesars Casino
Additional information about Caesars Ontario
The Caesars Online Casino in Ontario provides a number of terrific games and special offers for its players. There’s a unique spin with favorite games like Monopoly, Street Fighter, and Space Invaders. Similar to the sportsbook platform, the Caesars Rewards loyalty program connects to the casino offerings.
bet365 Casino
More information on bet365 Casino
Those familiar with the operator’s sportsbook offerings will not be surprised at how many games are available at bet365 Casino. Categories on the platform include arcade games, table and card games, video and bonus slots, and jackpots. A nice feature bet365 provides is quick access to a return-to-player percentage for each game (and volatility levels and game details when available).
Unibet Casino
More information on Unibet Casino
Unibet Casino was part of Ontario’s grey market for a while, and it is now a licensed, legal option in the Province of Opportunity. As a result of its history in Ontario, many bettors will already be familiar with its offerings. For the uninitiated, however, Unibet is another great casino option for Ontarians with numerous slot machines available.
PartyCasino
More information on PartyCasino
PartyCasino is not as well-known to online gaming enthusiasts as its sister site, PartyPoker. However, it is quickly gaining a reputation because it has one of the largest slot selections in Ontario and a nice variety of banking options.
Installation Process For Ontario Online Casino Apps
How To Install Online Casino Apps On An Android Device
Online casino apps in Ontario are provided to Ontarian residents through both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. This process is also completed using one of our special offers for the particular mobile app you’re looking for. Installing an online casino app on either type of mobile device is usually quick and simple.
To install online casino apps using an Android device:
- Visit the Google Play Store and either browse for casino apps or type in the name of the app you specifically want to download
- Click “Download” when you’ve located the app. It has an Android version, it’ll be on the Google Play Store
- Then wait for the download to finish
- Open the app once it has been downloaded and installed on your device
- You’ll need to create an account and register for the app before you can deposit funds and start playing games
How To Install Online Casino Apps On An Apple iOS Device
As noted above, downloading and installing an online casino app on an iOS device is functionally identical to doing so on an Android device.
- Go to the App Store and type in the name of the app you want to download or browse available casino apps
- Then click “download” to begin the automatic download and installation process
- Once finished, you’ll need to open the app and register for an account before you can enjoy that casino app’s spread of games
Does Every Online Casino In Ontario Offer An App?
No, but the majority of modern online gaming operators do feature an app with sports betting and casino gaming. These are usually similar in design and color scheme to the desktop website. You can and should narrow down your choice of casino platforms based on whether they offer an app. It’s the best way to pick the online casino you’ll enjoy the best.
Remember that no offshore casino app in Ontario is legitimized or licensed by the Ontarian government or a regulatory body. This includes the OLG, iGaming Ontario, and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Each of these apps are made and operated by an offshore (i.e. extra-national) company or organization.
So you need to do a lot of research before downloading an offshore app so you don’t download a virus to your mobile device or give your personal information to a company that may misuse it.
How Can Players Deposit Money In Ontario Online Casino Apps?
Luckily, Ontarian residents usually find a plethora of deposit options when they download a mobile casino app to their devices. It’s in casino apps’ best interests to make it as easy as possible for their players to deposit cash to their accounts, after all.
Methods To Deposit Money Using An Online Casino App
Generally speaking, online casino apps allow you to deposit money to your account using credit or debit card transfers, bank account wiring, e-checks or ACH transfers, or even by linking a PayPal or other electronic wallet to your online casino account.
You should check out reviews for online casino apps before downloading them to see what the average wait time is for a withdrawal. The best online casino apps in Ontario will have relatively short withdrawal turnaround times so you don’t have to wait a week or more to receive your winnings after a run of good luck at the digital tables.
Getting An Edge At Mobile Online Casinos
First of all, let’s be clear: the house always wins. Yes, it’s a cliche, but it happens to be a cliche that is true. You should not expect to play at an online casino and consistently win. Instead, you should see it as a form of entertainment. Practice responsible gaming and stay within your means.
That said, there are a few tips that you can follow to make your money (and thus your fun) last a little bit longer. Here are three:
Check To See If The Casino App Provides RTP Percentages For Slots
For starters, you should see if the casino app in question offers a good return to player or RTP percentage. This indicates how much of a player’s wager usually go back to them, and it can show you how “cost-effective” it is to play a particular game.
Games with high RTP percentages mean that you can stretch out your gaming funds for quite a while, even if you play the game for hours on end. If the game has a lower RTP percentage, it means that you have to be really lucky in order to keep winning or keep your original gaming nest egg intact. You’ll burn through your money much more quickly with casino games that have a low RTP percentage.
Shop Around For The Lowest Stakes
Lastly, you may wish to shop around for casino apps and/or games that feature low stakes. Why? Simply put, you don’t become rich by gaming with online casino apps. If you’re just here to have a good time, go for games with low stakes so you don’t lose tons of money very quickly.
Games with low stakes may allow you to spend a relatively small amount of cash on an online casino app but still get hours of entertainment from your activities. This is the best way to enjoy hobby gaming and avoid losing too much money at digital slots.
Check The Average Wait Time For Withdrawals
In the online casino industry, it is standard for operators not to offer instantaneous withdrawals. Most need some time to ensure that customers are not engaging in fraud and that customers meet all legal requirements (they are within Ontario, they are at least 19 years old, etc.).
That said, there are some operators that don’t make you wait as long to claim your balance. Also, some forms of withdrawal go faster than others (for example, e-wallets like PayPal usually go faster than other methods.) So do your research. Waiting too long to collect your balance can certainly hinder your enjoyment.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Legal Online Casino Apps In Ontario?
Single-event sports betting was legalized last August in Canada for both retail locations and online platforms with bill C-218. Each Canadian province, such as Ontario, is responsible for legalizing and regulating online gaming within its borders.
Because of this, each major province has a single lottery-run online casino platform (some of which also include subsidiary apps for mobile devices, but not all). These online casino platforms are the best places for Canadian residents to enjoy online casino games, slots, and even participate in the lottery online.
Yet many of these platforms are limited compared to the commercial apps offered. However, there are plenty of benefits to using lottery run, legal, or commercially authorized casino apps in Ontario, including:
- Being able to enjoy online casino games from the comfort of your couch. While Canada’s many provinces do include luxurious retail casinos to check out, sometimes you just want to stay home where it’s warm and enjoy some high-quality slots, table games (like roulette, craps, and blackjack), or even live dealer games
- You can win money remotely. Canada allows you to wager real-world cash using offshore online casino apps and platforms. So you aren’t limited to sweepstakes casinos
- You can rest assured that your funds and personal information will be safe with legal online casino apps. Government-run apps use SSL certification and other digital security methods, whereas there’s no guarantee that offshore apps will do the same
Because offshore online casino apps aren’t technically licensed or legalized in Ontario, you should not download them. Always be careful with whom you provide your personal information as it could end up on the black market.
Is Using An Online Casino App In Ontario Safe?
Yes, so long as you use the lottery run casino apps mentioned above, which are determined by your province, or BetRivers in Ontario. Ontario should launch other commercial online casino apps in the near future, as well.
It’s not a good idea to use an offshore gaming site. Some of these sketchy online casino apps might take your personal information and sell it to cybercriminals. This could make you the victim of identity theft.
Other online casino apps may simply refuse to give you your winnings after you build up enough in your account. Should this occur, there will be nothing you can do since the casino’s operator is in another country.
So, it’s in your best interest to use the lottery-run online casino apps or authorized commercial casino apps like BetRivers as they roll out across the country.
Reasons To Use An Online Casino App Vs. A Website
An online casino app is oftentimes a better bet than a website, however for a few key reasons:
- By definition, any online casino app you download from the Google Play Store or App Store has to be verified as a legitimate software program, not a virus. That’s the only way they can appear on those Google and Apple-controlled platforms
- Furthermore, online casino apps take a lot more effort to create. If a scammer wants to steal money from casino gamers, it’s easier to simply make an attractive desktop website (where they’ll also get more traffic)
That said, you still need to do your research when downloading an online casino app to avoid being taken advantage of.
How Can You Tell An App Is From A Legit Online Casino?
You can always look at the news for your province. For example, Ontario residents could have seen that there is an announcement that BetRivers is now fully legal and licensed throughout the province. But you can also do your own research to determine whether a given casino app is legitimate.
Take a look at screenshots from the online casino app and see what the reviews from former or current users have to say about their experiences. If they tell harrowing stories about how they were unable to get their winnings withdrawn in time or how the customer service was, stay away.
You can also look at the age of the casino app in question. The longer a casino app has been in operation, the better the odds that it’s a legitimate platform and isn’t in the market just to steal funds or personal info.
Is My Money Safe On An Online Casino App In Ontario?
It can be, but you have to take care when downloading casino apps. Again, you should only download a legitimate casino app run by the lottery or a legitimate operator to your mobile device, especially if you plan to spend your hard-earned money on that app.
If your money is ever stolen by an offshore app, there are very few things you can do about it. Ontario’s government will not likely try to pursue legal recourse on your behalf as the offshore gaming site may not be able to be sued. In the worst-case scenario, the operator may not be able to be tracked down in the first place.
More and more states within the US and provinces in Canada are making the move to legalize online casinos. Michigan launched apps in 2021. It’s possible NY online casinos could launch before the end of the year under proposed legislation. Other provinces in Canada are also expected to launch later this year or early next.
Online Ontario Casino Apps – FAQs
Online casino apps in Ontario can verify player age and identity by simply asking for your date of birth and sometimes asking for proof of ID, like a birth certificate. Players must be 19 years of age or older to play casino games in Ontario.
Each Canadian province’s legit online casino apps are regulated by the province’s lottery corporation. In Ontario, that is the responsibility of the AGCO.
Most quality online gambling apps available to Ontarian residents will use SSL certification and other digital security means to protect both your information and theirs. This is just another reason why you should do your research and only spend your money on legit online casino apps.
Online casino games in Ontario run the gamut from blackjack to baccarat to video poker to slot games and more. It all depends on the online casino app you download!
Yes, though it is app-dependent. Some apps will provide live dealer games while others will not provide these gambling opportunities. Because of this, it’s a good idea to shop around and find the best online casino app for your unique preferences.
Yes. The Google Play Store and Apple Store offer legal online casino apps to Ontarian residents.