Finding the best sites starts with knowing what you’re looking for
Ontario has seen rapid growth in the regulated online space since it opened its doors with fewer than 20 sites in April 2022. Currently there are 84 gaming sites (49 operators) listed in iGaming Ontario’s directory (as of September 1); the report it provided for the whole of 2025 shows around $98.3 billion wagered.
This is definitely a great problem to have – however, it can make finding the best site a bit of a challenge. You know a site is legal if it has a licence, but there are other factors that will help you decide. You can look up most of the key factors in a few minutes.
How to Efficiently Choose the Best Sites
Getting through 84 sites can take time, so you’re wise to find an in-depth ranking of the best online casinos in Ontario. A top-10-style review like this one is a quick and sensible way to get through the long list of logos easily.
You’ll have a ranked list of sites to choose from, so click through to each and see what you think. Try a few of them and see how easy they are to use for game selection and payments – often this will help you to choose the best site.
These rankings will give you a starting point; the factors below will help you decide whether you personally think the top sites deserve their spot. Be sure to write down (or at least give some thought, preferably in advance, to) which factors matter most to you. For example, if quick withdrawals and a large game selection are important, these should count most.
There are just 10 sites to consider, which is much easier. You can even compare two sites against each other.
Check for a Licence
All sites within the regulated space in Ontario will be registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and will operate under an agreement with iGaming Ontario, so a missing licence is an immediate red flag. They will also have strict requirements for game integrity and player protection, which the licence confirms.
Players have noticed this! A 2026 Ipsos study, commissioned by both the AGCO and iGaming Ontario, showed that 91.1% of online gamblers in Ontario now choose regulated sites, up from 83.7% the previous year. Around nine in 10 players have chosen a regulated site.
Scroll down to the bottom of the site to find the licence information; then compare the name of the site to the public directory of operators from iGaming Ontario. There could be multiple sites operated by one operator, so search for the brand name too. This takes up to a minute.
All sites will ask you for ID, as the minimum age to play is 19. The AGCO also notes that unregulated sites offer no such guarantees and pose a higher risk to players.
Compare Key Factors
Once you’ve found a site with a licence, you’ll start to see the differences between sites. Those include:
- Fast withdrawals: look for clear withdrawal times and your preferred payment methods, such as Interac e-Transfer. A payout policy that’s easy to understand is always a good sign.
- Low wagering requirements: the wagering requirement will tell you more about the offer than the headline figure will, so read it first!
- Game variety: ensure that the site has a large variety of games you enjoy playing.
- Good customer service: ask a quick question via live chat – if they reply quickly and are friendly, this shows that they have good customer service.
Try these factors on your top two sites; most of the time, there will be an obvious winner. Customer service will help you decide if the two are neck and neck. Although the terms can be boring, they will help you to see how much you can withdraw and what the bonus requirements are.
Look at recent reviews to fill in any gaps, as offers may have changed since last spring.
Which Platform Works Best?
Some sites will offer a better experience via their app, while others will be better in your browser. See how apps and mobile browsers compare side by side to check how easy they are to navigate and how well they perform.
Set Your Limits In Advance
Set a limit on how much you’re going to spend. Consider your play money as you would any other form of entertainment in your household budget – it shouldn’t compete with rent or savings.
All licensed sites will offer deposit and time limits. It’s best to set these when you register. Many will also offer reality checks (pop-up reminders of how long you’ve been playing), which are free to enable. Setting limits helps keep things fun; many confident and experienced players set them first.
Ontario also requires an independent accreditation for responsible gambling (RG Check). This means all the basics are covered, though some sites make their tools easier to find than others.
If you want to take a longer break, then BetGuard (launched this May) offers a single registration for all regulated sites in Ontario. The Responsible Gambling Council describes it as a simple way to pause everything. If you ever need support, you can get free and confidential help from ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.
This article is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling involves risk and should never be relied on as a source of income. Play responsibly and only if you are 19+. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, free confidential help is available 24/7 through ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) or the Responsible Gambling Council.
