Casino Play in Ontario during 2024

Ontario is the most populous province in Canada, with Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, and other cities that are known for their brick and mortar casinos. Though there are other major gambling cities (such as Calgary) in the country, no other Canadian province can compare to Ontario when it comes to casinos.

Having said that, we're still waiting for the first sanctioned Ontario casino online. While there are talks of creating a local gambling website that should be provincially regulated, we have yet to see any concrete action taken in this regard. No worries, we'll take you through all the need to know information on casino play in this province:

  • Casino gambling in this province & how it came here
  • What the future holds for Ontario casino online sites
  • The best options for players who want to enjoy online gambling
Quick Facts
  • As of 2014, there were around 10,000 gaming venues in Ontario.
  • Ontario has the greatest number of Electronic Gaming Machines in Canada, with more than 22,000.
  • Ontario currently has around 10,000 lottery terminals within its borders.
BEST CANADIAN ONLINE CASINOS

A Look Back in Gambling History

Gambling History

Ontario has seen games of chance that date as far back as 6000 B.C. John Cabot came to the region and discovered a local population that at the time played games of chance with sticks and pebbles. Around this time in 1497, John delved deeper into the history of these games and found out that that they were possibly around from even before. Up until 1982, gambling was openly allowed, however, the Canadian Criminal Code eventually decided to prohibit gambling.

Around 20 years later, the government began to relax some regulations and horse racing was permitted within the provinces. Eventually in 1999, a ban on dice games that was implemented for more than 600 years was finally lifted, allowing locals to enjoy gambling freely. Fast forward to modern day regulations, the onus is now on each province to create and regulate gambling laws & institutions within its boundaries. Online gambling has not been regulated yet at a provincial level, so most Ontarians rely on internationally accredited casinos to play online.

Ontario Law & Casino Gambling

Ironically, after a decided negative stance towards online gambling in the past, things are changing in a very big way. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) is quickly making moves to take the province by storm with a proprietary online gambling system, and it's no surprise. The OLG estimates that about half a billion dollars are going overseas every year via online gambling and they are ready to cash in on the Ontario casino online business.

Suffice to say, this is an exciting and fast paced time for Ontario casino online players. The one thing that we can safely assume is that Ontario is moving towards a less restrictive gaming environment. If other provinces in Canada are any indication, there will soon be a functional gambling site for Ontario gamblers.

Popular Ontario Casinos

Caesars Windsor Casino

Caesars Windsor Casino

One of the finest casinos in the Detroit-Windsor area, Caesars Windsor combines fine dining, exhilarating game play, and a luxury experience. You can enjoy the thrill of playing your favourite games at the latest slot machines and an array of table games. The casino has 2,600 gaming machines, 95 table games, and 14 poker tables spread out over a whopping 100,000 square feet. From quick bites to upscale restaurants, you’ll find it all at this establishment. Best of all, you can stay the night at the hotel if you’re looking to extend your gaming action.

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort

Among the most elegant and largest casinos in the nation, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort is the ultimate destination for those in search of enjoyment and relaxation. Offering a world-class gambling experience with more than 3,000 slot machines and 130 table games, this casino is more than just a gaming facility. It also has an extravagant hotel along with award-winning eateries. Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort has games spread out on 200,000 square feet, which gives you ample space to play without feeling other players breathing down your neck.

Casino Rama Resort

Casino Rama Resort

Just 1.5km from Lake Simcoe is the classy Casino Rama. You can stay at the hotel adjacent to the casino where you’ll be showered with amenities such as a gym, pool, sauna, spa, and a rooftop patio, this is the place where gamers go to unwind and play casino games. You'll find 24/7 action packed gaming excitement here with more than 2,500 slots, 100 engaging table games, and 12 tables. If you’re hungry after gaming, you have a huge variety of 11 restaurants to choose from!

Gambling in Popular Cities

Toronto

With 2.6 million residents, Toronto is the capital of Ontario province and has long been the centre of talks and proposals to have a brick-and-mortar casino of its own. You still won't find a casino situated within, yet there are many gambling venues in its vicinity. Moreover, there are a great number of online gambling platforms that accept Canucks.

On Scugog Island, an hour's drive from downtown Toronto, is the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino where you'll find more than 500 slots, 60 gaming tables with a max bet of $100, and a lottery kiosk. A portion of the revenues generated by the casino go to non-profit organizations.

There is also the vast Rama Casino present on Chippewas of Rama First Nation Reserve. Rama Casino is Ontario's sole First Nations Commercial Casino. At this premier entertainment destination, gamblers have a staggering 2,500 slots to spin the reels at and more than 110 gaming tables handled by professional croupiers. That’s not all, gamblers can enjoy lodging, dining, relaxing at the spa, training at the fitness center, and attend events at the huge entertainment center.

Ottawa

Just across the Ottawa River in Gatineau City is the magnificent Casino du Lac-Leamy, just five minutes from downtown Ottawa. This 70,644 square foot casino attracts three million visitors every year with its massive gaming assortment. If you're a pokies fan, you'll be taken aback with the impressive 1,800 slots at Casino du Lac-Leamy with wagers ranging from a cent to $500! From popular table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and Sic Bo to poker games like Pai-Gow Poker, High Card Flush, and Texas Hold'em, the casino has 72 live tables and 12 poker tables.

Within Ottawa, the Rideau Carleton Racetrack features live harness racing. Gamblers who love pokies need not be disappointed as the 60,000 square foot casino floor boasts an impressive 1,250 slot machines with wagers ranging from a cent to $5. There are also stations for electronic roulette, baccarat, and blackjack.

Land-based casinos are a great choice to play at, Land-based casinos are a great choice to play at, but if you prefer gambling online, you can find many online casino Ontario sites welcoming Canucks from Ottawa.

Constant Access to Your Favourite Games

Favourite Games

You're probably wondering where you should be playing if you want to stay at home. This is a perfectly normal question for Canadian casino players and, since you have already found your way to this website, you've got a wealth of information at your fingertips.

Check out our recommended sites - they're reviewer-tested and Canadian approved! Play with your currency, and in your time zone, with these reputable casino online sites, safe in the knowledge that you're Canadian Dollars are with a trustworthy operator.

Experience Ontario online gambling now!

FAQ

The legal age to gamble in Canada generally corresponds to the legal drinking age. In provinces besides Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba, players can enter a casino as long as they're 19 and over. In the provinces just mentioned, the legal gambling age has been set a bit lower, at 18 and over. Players must be 19 to play at a land based or casino online in Ontario.
Similar to every other province in Canada, Ontario too is in charge of regulating and enforcing gambling activities and procedures within its boundaries. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the authority responsible for this and it works hard to prevent any untoward incidents players may face when dealing with land based casinos.
Players looking for a fun night out with friends and a casual session of gambling don't have to worry about their real money earnings being taxed, as long as they don't gamble for a living. However, for those who don't have a main source of income besides gambling, their Canadian Dollar winnings are taxable under current law.
With the most land based casinos in all of Canada, Ontario is leading the pack as far as gambling is concerned. Ontarians love gambling and they only want it to expand, in a responsible manner. There is a push to allow online gambling at a provincial level, however, the idea has yet to be put on paper and endorsed through legislation. Until then, players can gamble at offshore sites.
CasinoOnline.ca has scoured the internet to compile a comprehensive list of casinos that Ontarians can gamble at. Our thorough audit and review process ensures that you can play with real cash in a safe environment, without worrying about your financial information being mishandled. As a general rule of thumb, only play at sites that have ample positive reviews and those which have been approved by known international gambling authorities.