A Beginner’s Guide To Licensed Online Casino Apps In Ontario

Written By Derek Helling on April 4, 2022

The days of only having a single option for legal online casinos in Ontario are over. As of Monday, April 4, several Ontario online casino apps are available for eligible bettors in the province to peruse.

If you’re new to online casinos, all the numbers and verbiage can be kind of intimidating. However, it’s actually quite simple once you know how things work. Like with many things, the best way to learn is to do.

In no time, you’ll be playing your favourite table games, online slots and other special features that outpace the offerings available in many US states.

Pick your Ontario online casino apps

In addition to the Ontario Lottery‘s OLG, there are now many licensed online casino apps taking wagers in Ontario. These include:

More options are coming in the near future, like DraftKings Casino and PointsBet. For now, though, Ontarians have all they need for casino action online. Once you’ve decided which apps you would like to try, it’s time to get started.

Live dealer casino options are aplenty at BetMGM and BetRivers, as live dealer online casino games are not required to be staged in Ontario. That takes away some of the red tape that many US states have had to deal with to get live blackjack, roulette and other games launched.

Getting started with Ontario online casino apps

After you’ve picked which apps you’d like to try, initiating your use of them is no tall task. All you need is your phone, a data connection and a few moments of your time. Whether you have an Android or iOS device, it makes no difference.

After the casino app installs, be sure to allow it to use the location services for your device. Then, the app should walk you right through the process of signing up. You do have to register an account for each app you plan to use.

Doing so is easy, free and quick, so don’t fret. Each app needs to verify your eligibility to bet on casino games in Ontario legally. Those eligibility requirements include your being at least 19 years of age. To complete your registration, the casino will need a few pieces of information from you, including your date of birth and mailing address.

You do not have to be a legal resident of Ontario to sign up. As long as you’re of age, you can register. Once the app verifies your account details, you’re one step away from being able to place your first bet.

Fund your account online

You can’t bet without some money, right? After all, you’re trying to make your money grow by wagering. The apps we’ve mentioned and others make it easy for you to hand over some cash to them.

There are many forms of online payments you can use to fund your accounts. They include:

  • ACH payments from a checking or savings account
  • Credit and debit cards
  • Third-party wallet apps like PayPal
  • Wire transfers

At this point, it’s important to watch your emails and push notifications for details on special deals that the casinos offer. Some of these are attached to your first deposit on the respective apps.

It’s also important at this stage to have a plan for your casino gaming. One of the most crucial facets of responsible gambling is to have a budget and stick to it. You should never deposit more money into your online account than you can easily afford to lose.

Once the operator verifies your deposit, you’re set. If you aren’t in Ontario, this is when you need to take a trip. You must be within the province’s borders when you actually make your wagers.

Do Canadians have to pay gambling on online casino winnings?

For the most part, no. The Canadian government does not consider gambling winnings to be a constant source of income and did not come from employment or property. The same goes for the province of Ontario.

There are exceptions, of course. If you are a citizen of another country betting on casino games in Ontario and you do well, the laws of your home nation apply to you.

Additionally, suppose you’re a Canadian citizen who makes a living from betting on casinos or gambling in other ways. In that case, you have to file income taxes like any other self-employed person. If you’re uncertain, the best thing to do is contact an account or tax lawyer in the province to assess your situation.

With this information in mind, you can familiarize yourself with online casinos. The most important thing to always keep in mind is playing responsibly no matter how experienced you get.

Photo by Shutterstock
Derek Helling Avatar
Written by
Derek Helling

Derek Helling is a lead writer for PlayUSA and the manager of BetHer. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Iowa and covers the intersections of sports with business and the law.

View all posts by Derek Helling
Privacy Policy