2022 was a landmark year for online casinos in Canada. April saw Ontario open the first regulated and legalized market in the country. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) granted over 80 licenses to online casino operators. Players can rest assured that any online casino with a permit for the province will adhere to the highest standards stipulated in the legal framework that AGCO set up. A reputable online casino will have its license proudly on display.
However, with so many sites to choose from, how do you know which will best suit your style of play? So, whether you like online slots, table games or live online casinos, here is a curated list of five sites and operators for Canadian players to enjoy in 2023.
Royal Panda
Royal Panda is a relative newcomer to the Ontario online casino scene. It has a user-friendly website layout and offers gamblers more than 750 games to choose from. The site has lots of payment options, and customer services are quick to respond if you need help. There is no phone support, however.
This online casino offers a wide choice of games. Online slots make up most of the games in the online lobby. These are from top developers such as Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, Play’n Go, and NetEnt. In addition, there is an excellent choice of table games like roulette, baccarat, blackjack, craps and poker. You can also enjoy game shows, video poker, and live games at Royal Panda. The only thing not on offer is bingo or keno-type games.
Play OJO Casino
Play OJO has set itself a mission. It wants to be the best in iGaming in Ontario and offer the most fun experience. It is an up-and-coming casino very popular with players and reviewers alike. As well as a great selection of games from all the big names it has no withdrawal fees and an attractive loyalty scheme. One downside is that there is no demo play option, so players need to have checked out game options elsewhere before committing their cash at Play OJO.
With over 3,000 different games to choose from, you will probably find what you are looking for here. One of the most striking features of the game library is the huge choice of live casino games on offer. The Play OJO platform offers the very best gamified casino experience.
BetMGM
MGM has always been a massive name in the entertainment industry. The betting side of the business also lives up to the promise. They have both a casino and an online sportsbook. So your igaming needs can be under one virtual roof, whether you want to play a Street Fighter slot or place a bet on a real MMA fight. This online casino offers some exclusive MGM-branded games as well as familiar titles from some of the biggest names in online game development.
There are over 800 titles to choose from. The app is clean and easy to use, and the website fast and responsive. This is a popular site for all types of gameplay other than poker – the app can be a bit glitchy. The site is slightly more challenging than others to find your way around as there are not so many filtering options. While it can’t match up to Play OJO on the number of games, new titles are always being added.
LeoVegas
It is hard to beat LeoVegas, particularly if you like to play games on your phone or mobile device. Their whole approach is mobile-first, and it shows in the intuitiveness of the app and the clean and easy-to-use interface. In addition, they have a fantastic slot selection, and their live casino games are outstanding.
LeoVegas has won numerous industry accolades in recent years. Last year they won the title of Online Casino Operator of the Year. In addition, they have an award for Innovation in Casino Entertainment. They have excellent customer service but do not offer phone support.
For players who like to have a regular wager, they offer some great features such as Game of The Week, Top Games and Newest Games. The home page is well laid out and puts games in categories like table games, jackpots, live games, and slots on the homepage.
ComeOn
The online casino ComeOn is undoubtedly a popular choice in the UK and is also carving itself a niche in the Ontario market. One of the things that has made this online casino so popular is its simplicity. This makes it fast to load and easy to access. So, while it might not be the prettiest site to play, it has other attributes that are more than makeup for that. As the old saying goes, ‘it’s what’s on the inside that matters.’
Inside ComeOn casino, you will find an impressive number of games across all the gaming genres, and it has a sportsbook as well. The overall organization of the site is clean and easy to navigate. There’s a rugby lounge with 12 games and a game show category with 17 titles to play. In addition, ComeOn casino offers 16 roulette games, 14 blackjack, eight poker and 18 baccarat and dice games. On the downside, customer support hours are minimal, and there is a withdrawal charge.
The best of the rest
It is always hard to pick out just a select few options, but sometimes less is more. If you fancy more options, a review site like Time2Play has a more extensive list and reviews for you to look at. Other popular online casino names include BetRivers, Bet365, Unibet, SpinCasino, SlotsMagic and Caesars. JackPotCity and PokerStars, new gambling sites in Canada, are also gaining in popularity.
Remember, have a good look around before depositing any money and never gamble more than you can afford to lose.
