The Alcohol and Gaming Commission have granted over sixty companies online gambling licences since the regulated market opened in Ontario in April 2022. As recently as early December, additional licenses were granted, and new platforms are emerging all the time.
While the license means that the online has agreed to the strict legal and regulatory framework set out by the commission, it still leaves a huge list of casinos in Ontario to choose from. The question is, how do you find the best-rated ones, and who is to say what is best?
Check the license
Despite all those platforms having been approved by the AGCO, there are still some shady offshore operators trying to tempt people to play on their sites. The first thing to look out for is that any site you play on is licensed. A reputable site that has gained its license will be keen to show this off. A top-rated online casino site will prominently display its credentials.
If the license is not prominently displayed, do not take the risk. The offshore operators might appear to offer better odds or have tempting offers; however, they are not bound to protect you. If something goes wrong, there is nowhere to fall back on. What is the point of winning big if the winnings are never paid out?
Are the terms and conditions clear?
It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of the games on offer. After all, that is why we love to play online games. Nothing beats the thrill of waiting to see if you have won and the anticipation of the next step. However, are you sure what happens if your lucky numbers come up? Is there any additional commitment from you before the casino pays out?
There are loads of great offers and bonus codes to be had, but many of them have strings attached. The best-rated online casinos will not have you searching around in the dark. Any conditions for a promotion should be upfront and transparent. If they are not, the advice is not to risk your money.
Reviewers will do the hard work for you
There are plenty of recommendations for online casino sites. The best ones come from independent reviewers, like the ones featured on this list of casinos in Ontario. The reviewers will have taken a three-sixty look at what is on offer and then ranked the online casino against their criteria. This is probably the easiest way to find the best-rated online casinos and has several benefits.
• The reviewers are independent, meaning they are not paid to push a particular online casino.
• They have years of experience – the online casino business might be new to Ontario, but these guys have been at it for years.
• They try to find the best in class rather than a bland overall best. After all, if you love playing poker, the casino with the best online slots is almost certainly irrelevant to you.
• They are good for both beginners and more experienced players because of their wealth of knowledge.
Know what you like
It is all very well reading up on what other people say are the best sites to play on, but how do they know what you like? It is essential that you know what it is you are looking for. Here are some things to consider that could affect your personal rankings of a casino.
Choice of games
Once you know that a site is licensed and has a good review, the next thing you need to know is that it offers the types of games you like to play. The most popular online games are the slots. However, there is a huge variety and new titles coming out all the time. Check that the site offers the game you want to play. If there is one you have not played before but like the look of it, remember to try it out in demo mode and learn its quirks and features before committing your hard-earned cash.
Alternatively, it could be poker that is your favoured casino game. Do you want to play on a computer simulation or in a live dealer room? Different casinos offer alternatives, and you should look for the best rankings for the type of game you like to play. The same goes for all the table games on offer.
A casino can only be best ranked for you as a player if it offers the experience you want.
Speed of payout
If getting your money out of the casino quickly is a top priority, then you need to look at the list of casinos in Ontario to see which one offers the fastest payouts. Some casinos that use PayPal guarantee the money back to your account within 24 hours, while others can take 3-5 days. Make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for before you start depositing and paying.
Payment options available
On the subject of deposits, the ranking of a casino can be affected by the payments they take. It is generally accepted that the more choice there is, the better because it shows they want to offer customers the best possible experience. The bottom line for you is, do they have the option you need?
Is it mobile-friendly?
We are increasingly using our phones and mobile devices to visit online casinos. If this is how you like to play, check out which sites have the best apps or have a mobile-friendly browser. This can be where the newer casinos have an advantage over the bigger-named ones. There are now some casino apps that have been developed for mobile gaming as opposed to being adapted from a browser version. If all your gameplay is on your phone, then how good the app is will affect how highly you rank it.
