The wait is over for Ontario residents, as the much-anticipated legal sports betting and online gaming legislation takes effect next month. Canadian gamblers and sports bettors will finally have the option to place legal wagers on both sporting matches and casino games using private sportsbooks and regulated casinos apps next month in Ontario.
Up until this milestone date, safe and legal betting options, both online and brick-and-mortar, have been limited for Ontario residents. Beginning April 4 of next month, private companies that have applied for online gaming licenses will be able to offer consumers a wide variety of betting options. Gaming enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore the vast landscape of online gaming in a safe and reliable way province-wide. Ontario is a massive market and there will be no shortage of betting options from which to choose.
A Quick History of Ontario iGaming
In June 2021, the Canadian federal government passed legislation that would allow sports bettors to legally place wagers on single-game sporting events. The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act (Bill C-218) also affords each province the right to regulate their own gaming markets. In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) established iGaming Ontario, an endeavor to oversee all online gaming in the province.
While primarily lauded for its single-game sports betting implications, as Canadians had only been legally allowed to bet parlays or multiple games, casino goers and card players were equally thrilled with the news. This new legislation included the framework for private operators to set up regulated online casinos within Ontario. Not only can they offer multiple gaming options, but also the ability to deposit funds and withdraw winnings in a safe and reliable manner.
Prior to this legislation, Canadians had been able to place online wagers, but only by using off-shore casinos and sportsbooks. Located primarily in Europe and the Caribbean, these companies are entirely unregulated in Canada and pose a serious risk for gamblers. Many stories of seized winnings, poor betting spreads, and difficult deposit methods left Ontario residents frustrated and without much recourse.
With this new legislation, Ontario residents will be able to safely deposit, wager, and participate in the ever-growing online gaming space beginning April 4.
Choosing The Right App
It’s important to know ahead of the launch what type of betting options you would like to use. While there are some sportsbooks that offer casino games, and some casinos that offer sports betting, not all sportsbooks are casinos, and not all casinos have sportsbooks.
Confused? Don’t be.
Here’s the difference:
- A sportsbook is a business that accepts wagers on sporting events. If you’re interested in betting on the NHL, NBA, NFL or other popular sports leagues, you’ll need to find an online provider that offers sports betting.
- A casino is a business that accepts wagers on table games, slot machines, and many other offerings you would find in a brick-and-mortar casino. Blackjack? Keno? Slot machines? That’s a casino.
If you’re looking to get started in the online gaming space and aren’t too sure where to start, your best option might be to find a reliable casino app that offers both sports betting and casino games.
The good news? There’s no shortage of options for Ontario residents.
Providers Fighting For Market Share
With the upcoming April 4 launch date for online gaming in Ontario, operators with gaming licenses are eager to garner as many first timers as possible. It’s not uncommon for casino apps to offer bonuses in the way of site credits, free slot spins and more to attract your business. It can be a lucrative opportunity for savvy customers who take advantage of these promotions.
One of the most common promotions you’ll find is something called a “deposit match.” Upon depositing your funds, the online casino will “match” a certain percentage of your deposit. That means, every dollar you deposit will be matched in site credits or bonus cash up to a certain amount. While it’s easy to get lured in at the promise of free money, this is, in fact, free money. So don’t forget to use promotional links when getting started.
BetRivers Casino Promotional Offer
Take, for example, BetRivers Casino Ontario, an online operator with an Ontario gaming license offering an initial 100% Deposit Match for first time players.
BetRivers Casino will match your first deposit up to $250 in site credits and will only require a reasonable 1x playthrough. That means, in order to unlock your $250 in free site credits you will need to wager, or “play through” $250 first. This is a much better offer than most online casinos which can require a playthrough of up to 30x(!) before unlocking your site credits.
And to that an incredible assortment of slot machines, table games and sports betting options, BetRivers is a great place to try your hand at a little online gaming.
