iGaming 101: Teaching Ontarians About Safe Online Gambling

The Ontario regulator has released a primer to help new players looking to join in on the online poker, casino, or sports betting action.
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By
April 27, 2022

iGaming Ontario (iGO) has put together an iGaming 101 primer for new players who might be interested in playing online poker, casino gaming, or sports betting for the first time. The province started offering regulated online gambling on April 4, 2022.

The guide educates would-be players on things to know before they start playing, and then, once they are ready to play online.

The main topics covered before a player starts playing online include:

  • Telling players what types of games are available in Ontario (ON)
  • What players need to look for and how to choose an online poker room, casino, or sportsbook
  • The primer also walks players through how to set up an account and how to set up a digital wallet before placing any type of bets or wagers.

The information provided for when a player is ready to make a deposit includes:

  • How to choose a game that is right for the player’s needs
  • How to stay educated and informed on the types of games available and how they work
  • How setting money and time limits from the get-go can help a player stay in control of their gambling habits

The iGO goes on to tell players what kind of limits they can set to stay in control of the time and money they spend on an online gambling site. These include:

Deposit Limits

Deposit Limits can be set before the first deposit is even made, or at any time during the player’s journey. A deposit limit allows a player to choose ahead of time how much money they are prepared to deposit onto the site, during a specific period of time. For example, a player could set a limit of $50 a week Once the player has deposited $50 into their account, they will be blocked from depositing any more money until the week concludes and a new week begins. This responsible gambling tool is a great way for players to stay in control of their gambling budget and a good habit to implement straight off the bat.

Loss Limits

Loss Limits allow a player to set the amount they are prepared to lose during the selected period of time. For example, a player can predetermine that they are only prepared to lose $10 a day. Once this threshold is hit, the player will not be able to play any more online games until that time period has passed and a new one begins.

Time Limits

Time Limits can be set so that players don’t lose track of the amount of time spent betting on sports or playing casino or poker games. If a player decides they only want to spend one hour a day on a particular online gambling site, they can set this limit. Once that time period is passed, they will be locked out of any further action.

Any online gambling operator in Ontario will need to offer and meet certain robust responsible gambling criteria in order to receive and retain its license to operate in the province. They all must have passed Responsible Gambling Checks facilitated by the Responsible Gambling Council.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with RGC on this initiative,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario said via press release at the time the RG Check Program was announced. “The RG Check program is comprised of nine standards and 48 criteria that measure the scope and effectiveness of operators’ RG programming in areas such as site and product design, marketing communications, and assisting players who may be experiencing harm from gambling. This allows Ontarians to play with confidence.”

Operators currently with a license to offer online games in the province of Ontario:

  • 888casino.ca
  • 888poker.ca
  • 888sport.ca
  • on.bet365.ca
  • on.bwin.ca
  • casino.on.BetMGM.ca
  • poker.on.BetMGM.ca
  • sports.on.BetMGM.ca
  • BetRivers.ca
  • sportsbook.Caesars.com
  • coolbet.ca
  • FanDuel.com/Canada
  • LeoVegas.com
  • on.partycasino.ca
  • on.partypoker.ca
  • on.partysports.ca
  • PointsBet.ca
  • Rivalry.com
  • RoyalPanda.com
  • theScore.bet
  • on.Unibet.ca

Learn more about regulated licensed Ontario online casinos, Ontario sportsbooks, and Ontario online poker rooms.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500