Ontario Online Gambling Laws & Regulation Explained

This page explains Ontario’s online gambling laws, how the regulatory system works, and what legal protections apply to players. It does not recommend casinos or compare operators. Its purpose is to clarify legality, oversight, and enforcement so Ontario players understand which platforms are legally authorized to operate and what standards they must meet.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Ontario?

Yes. Online gambling is legal in Ontario when offered by operators that are approved under Ontario law and operate within the province’s regulatory framework.

Before 2022, online gambling in Ontario was largely limited to government-operated platforms. While offshore gambling sites were accessible to Ontario residents, they operated outside provincial oversight. The launch of the regulated market in April 2022 formally allowed private operators to enter the market under strict provincial controls.

Today, an online gambling operator must meet Ontario-specific legal requirements to offer services to Ontario residents. Operators that do not meet these requirements are not legally authorized to operate in the province.

Who Regulates Online Gambling in Ontario?

Ontario uses a dual-authority regulatory structure that separates rule-making from market operations. This model is unique in Canada and is designed to strengthen oversight and accountability.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the province’s primary gambling regulator. AGCO is responsible for:

Establishing regulatory standards for gambling activity
Registering and licensing gambling operators
Enforcing compliance through audits, investigations, and penalties

For online gambling, AGCO developed the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, which set minimum requirements related to player protection, game integrity, advertising, and financial controls.

iGaming Ontario (iGO)

iGaming Ontario is a subsidiary of AGCO that manages the operational side of the online gambling market. Its responsibilities include:

Entering into operating agreements with approved operators
Monitoring ongoing compliance with provincial requirements
Overseeing market activity and reporting

To legally offer online gambling in Ontario, an operator must be registered with AGCO and hold an active operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.

What Makes an Online Casino Legal in Ontario?

A casino’s legality in Ontario is determined by provincial approval, not by whether it accepts Ontario players.

A legal Ontario online casino must:

Appear in iGaming Ontario’s public registry of approved operators
Operate only under the domains listed in that registry
Follow Ontario’s standards for age verification, player funds, and responsible gambling

Casinos that hold licences from other jurisdictions—such as Curaçao or Malta—but do not have Ontario approval are not licensed to operate in Ontario, even if they allow Ontario residents to register.

What Ontario’s Gambling Laws Mean for Players

Ontario’s legal framework directly affects how players interact with licensed gambling platforms.

Age and Identity Requirements

Players must be 19 years of age or older to gamble online in Ontario. Licensed operators are required to verify age and identity before allowing real-money play or processing withdrawals.

Player Fund Safeguards

Ontario law imposes requirements on how licensed operators handle player funds. These rules are intended to protect player balances and ensure withdrawals are processed according to disclosed terms.

Advertising and Promotions

Ontario places restrictions on how gambling promotions can be advertised. Inducements cannot be broadly marketed to the general public, and promotional information is typically provided only within player accounts or through direct communication.

Accountability and Enforcement

Because licensed operators are subject to Ontario oversight, they are accountable to provincial regulators. This provides players with formal avenues for complaint and review that do not exist with unregulated platforms.

Explore Regulated Ontario Casinos

Regulated vs Unregulated Gambling in Ontario

The key difference between regulated and unregulated gambling is oversight and accountability.

Some players choose offshore sites for reasons such as game availability or alternative promotional structures. However, these sites operate outside Ontario’s legal framework and are not subject to provincial enforcement or player protection standards.

Area	Regulated Ontario Operators	Unregulated / Offshore Sites
1 Provincial oversight	Yes	Yes
2 Ontario-specific standards	Yes	No
3 Player recourse	Available	Limited or none
4 Mandatory protections	Required	Varies
5 Listed in iGO registry	Yes	No

How to Verify Legal Status in Ontario

You can confirm whether an operator is legally authorized in Ontario by checking iGaming Ontario’s public operator registry, which lists:

Approved operators
Registered gambling websites
Current operating status

If a casino or betting site does not appear in this registry, it is not licensed to operate in Ontario, regardless of any other licenses it may display.

Responsible Gambling and Legal Compliance

Ontario law requires licensed operators to make responsible gambling tools available to players. These tools are intended to help players manage their gambling activity and access support when needed.

For detailed guidance and Ontario-specific support resources, see: Responsible Gambling in Ontario

Yes. Since April 2022, online gambling has been legal for operators meeting AGCO standards with iGaming Ontario agreements. Players must be 19 or older.

Ontario became the first province to have an open, regulated iGaming market on April 4, 2022. In Canada, players can play from any of the country’s 10 provinces, but any operator looking to be based in the country must follow the officially licensed route.

Licensed operators show regulatory information on their sites. You can verify this against AGCO’s public registry.