Ontario changed the Canadian iGaming industry a couple of years back when the province launched a legal gambling market. The decision may have been controversial at the time. But three years has proven enough time for the general public to see the benefits of a legal iGaming sector. Online casinos in Ontario have been generating immense revenue and thus boosting the provincial economy. The new businesses have also opened up several job opportunities for the Canadian locals.
The success of Ontario’s iGaming market has prompted other Canadian provinces into legalizing online gambling. But some are still reticent to do so because of how it may affect players. The effects of online gambling on player behavior have been thoroughly studied. If we were to analyze how any online casino in Ontario operates we would quickly see that a regulated market is often a lot more effective in curbing dangerous player behavior than a sector being left unattended.
There are still some important factors that online gamblers need to know about the industry in Ontario. That is why we are here. The goal that we’ve set for this text is to help any prospective players learn more about the basics of choosing a gambling website in the Canadian province.
Licensing and Regulation
The first thing that every player needs to know about the Canadian gambling market is how it is being regulated. Ontario’s iGaming industry falls under the purview of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the iGaming Ontario organizations. It is the job of these two government orgs to ensure that all online casinos are fair and trustworthy. The organizations test out the games and reviews the safety policies that gambling platforms have put into place to ensure that they are up to par.
The ultimate point we are making is that the first step in choosing a casino should be to find one that is licensed and regulated by Ontario’s official iGaming permit providers. There are many Canadians who have opted to go for offshore casinos that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It is fair to say that sites like those are worth exploring considering the UKGC’s global reputation. But what players must absolutely avoid is playing at casinos without any accreditation.
Unlicensed gambling platforms are a lot less widespread now than they were a decade back. But there are still plenty of websites that you can come across that operate without a permit. These sites may entice gamblers by offering bonuses that are too good to be true or incredible odds. But their lack of accreditation proves that they don’t have what is best for the customer at heart. It is why gamblers should avoid them at all costs, especially when there are better options readily available.
The Choice of Games
Understanding licensing and regulation is the first step to choosing a casino. But the next thing that most Ontario players will need to think about is the games that have been made available to them. The good news is that a thriving market like the one we are experiencing in the Heartland Province has a whole slew of games ready to be played by new and experienced fans. Let us give you an idea of what you can expect to find when visiting an Ontarian casino.
Slots will naturally dominate the website. The simple and dynamic gameplay has allowed these machines to stay at the top of the gambling market for over a century now. It is no surprise that game designers chose slots to be the first games that they introduce to the realm of iGaming in the past century’s tail end. Modern Ontario casinos continue to thrive thanks to the popularity of slots. But game developers today can get quite creative with their designs. Not only have they made visually unique pokies, but also games with original mechanics that elevate the gameplay.
But slots are far from the only games that attract fans to online casinos. Gambling websites have greatly expanded their libraries in the past few years. Ontario’s platforms are especially known for their live tables. The gaming market today seems obsessed with hi-spec gaming. Top tier graphics and high-end gameplay can certainly be fun. But sometimes its ok wind down with a straightforward game like roulette or blackjack while enjoying your time at an online casino. It is all the better that modern gambling websites have utilized streaming services to make the experience that much more immersive.
How to Properly Utilize a Bonus
The final aspect of the online gambling market that we need to discuss is the promotional offers that so many of Ontario’s casinos are willing to share. Gamblers can get access to a bonus as soon as they sign up to a website. The promos reserved for new players are often referred to as welcome offers. But there still may be some confusion regarding how to get ahold of this welcome bonus. The first step is to create an account with a licensed and regulated Ontario casino.
The account creation process is as simple as you can imagine. Simply visit the gambling platform of choice and click on the “sign up” button. Once you’ve filled out the necessary information you will need to verify your account. This step is where it gets complicated. But it is not so difficult that most would not be able to understand. Verification entails sharing personal identification information with the online casino. This process is crucial to maintaining a safe and regulated market. It helps gambling platforms know their clients and curb issues with cybercrime and underage gambling.
The verification process is also crucial to allowing players to utilize the bonus properly. The regulated casinos in Ontario will only award you a bonus after you’ve verified your identity. But what can you do with the bonus once it is in your hands? Most online casino bonuses manifest as matches on a deposit or free spins. The bonuses also come with pretty strict terms and conditions. We recommend reading through these conditions thoroughly in order to avoid any confusion or future heartache.