*eCheck unlocked after making a qualifying deposit (min 10CAD) using any other method.
Ontario launched its competitive iGaming market in April 2022; the first (and currently only) of its kind in all of Canada. It started out rather small, with just 18 operators competing for the province. Before long, that number swelled into the 30s, the 40s, 50s, and beyond. As of July 2024, only 16 out of more than 75 Ontario casinos currently support e-Check.
Instant eCheck Casinos in Ontario: Editorial Selection for 2024
Legal gambling age is 18+ in Canada and depends on your province. Please check our table for age limits. Ontario is 19+. Always gamble responsibly and don’t wager what you can’t afford to lose. If you seek addiction help, or seek resources please visit ConnexOntario.ca and BeGambleAware.org.
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A Quick Primer on eChecks
For iGamers in Ontario, eChecks have proven themselves to be a dependable payment method. eChecks or “digital checks” are considered by many to be the spiritual successor to paper checks. These electronic counterparts provide a streamlined way for individuals to make deposits. Secure eCheck transactions can now be made at numerous online platforms and retailers such as shopping sites, and casinos. And unlike traditional paper checks, eChecks eliminate the need for courier fees, adding to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. eChecks empower people to initiate payments directly from their bank accounts. There is no need for e-wallets, or third-party payment processing.
In Ontario, eChecks are processed through the Canadian Payments Association (CPA) via Automatic Fund Transfer (AFT). This is similar to ACH in the United States. The CPA specialized network facilitates a variety of electronic transactions. This includes: debit and credit card transactions, wire transfers, and bill payments. This robust payment network, anchored by the CPA and AFT, has become integral to modern financial transactions in Ontario. And now an integral part of Ontario eCheck iGaming.
Link to Full iGo List
You’re welcome to visit the iGO regulator’s full list, but if all you need is a rundown of titles (with e-Check acceptance highlighted), you’ll find that right here. Continue scrolling, and you’ll find a list of all the electronic check casinos available in Ontario.
The title of this piece is “revolving directory”, but the market is actually like a revolving door. Some operators may go out of business, and some others may have their licenses revoked. There are no guarantees in iGaming, that’s why staying up to date can be your best bet. And that’s why we focus on the newest additions here, while updating and adjusting our eCheck list as needed.
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For most iGamers, it’s all about knowing the new up-and-comer brands. Most look for the thrill of making new experiences on the latest iGaming tech. eCheck, as part of evolving fintech, becomes an integral component of these new experiences.
We work very hard to keep our catalog up to date and leave a new timestamp with each update. You can always see when our latest update was by looking… oh, right there!
Description: High Flyer isn’t your typical online casino. Powered by a single software group, the website features fewer games overall, but a throng of exclusive content you won’t find elsewhere. It’s not new to the industry either, with roots dating as far back as 2002. Plus, it’s one of the few operators to offer Online Bingo in Ontario.
Evolution, Just for the Win, Microgaming, NetEnt, On Air Entertainment, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming, Snowborn, Triple Edge Studios
Description: Spin Casino is the figurehead of the Super Group series of online casinos, licensed in Ontario under Cadtree Limited. Launched in 2001, it’s neither the youngest nor the oldest in the group, but its popularity surpasses that of Royal Vegas, Ruby Fortune, and others. The most likely reason is the brand’s commitment to mobile slots fans.
Evolution, Just for the Win, Microgaming, NetEnt, On Air Entertainment, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming, Snowborn, Triple Edge Studios
Description: Royal Vegas is one of the industry’s oldest and finest operators. Dating back to the turn of the century, this operator predates any form of iGaming regulation. In those days, it was a virtual free-for-all all, and not in a good way. But through it all, Royal Vegas stayed true to its word, true to its customers, and true to the Canadian market. Today, Royal Vegas enjoys the distinguished title of one of the industry’s most esteemed operators.
Evolution, Just for the Win, Microgaming, NetEnt, On Air Entertainment, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming, Snowborn, Triple Edge Studios
Description: Somewhat of a sister-site to Royal Vegas, Ruby Fortune is another tried and true member of the Canadian iGaming market. Online since 2003, the brand has multiple awards under its belts, starting with Best New Casino in its debut year. To this day, Ruby Fortune continues to deliver a classic online casino experience that translates smoothly to mobile.
PokerStars 🟢
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Description: If there’s one name everyone associates with online gambling, it’s PokerStars. Formed in 2003, PokerStars quickly rose to the top of the totem pole, just before crashing back down to earth during the ominous Black Friday of Online Poker in 2006. Down but not out, PokerStars not only persevered, it grew to all new heights.
Today, The Stars Group operates a trio of globally and locally licensed operations that include Stars Casino, Stars Sports, and, of course, the original Poker Stars. Those who frequent the website are predominantly poker players who may or may not dabble in the casino and sports side of the platform.
Proprietary, Evolution, IGT, Kambi, Microgaming, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Yggdrasil
Description: DraftKings exploded onto the scene as a daily fantasy football site some years ago. Since then, the brand has expanded into a full-fledged sportsbook in the US and Canada, including local regulation right here in Ontario. It also comes with a flashy mobile casino and a modest collection of live casino games. Most of its members are sports fans at heart, but the casino is worth its weight in gold-plated coins.
Real Money Casinos Ontario – The Beginning of a New Era
It’s been a very long road to get where we are now. For many years, dating back to the late 1990s, Ontarians had no other option but to do their iGaming with overseas websites. It was a risky business; far riskier than the act of gambling on its own. Over the years, the global landscape improved – better security, greater responsibility, stricter regulation. But it would take nearly two decades for Ontario to make any headway into iGaming.
In 2015, provincial regulators launched PlayOLG, a home-grown operation just for players within Ontario. It was the first time residents had a locally authorized website to place real money bets on. But with no competition in the market, it wasn’t very enticing – too few games, little or no live tables, and below-average promotions. Regulators were well aware that a competitive market would draw more players, so they began contemplating legal routes to that end.
In March 2019, a request was made to the federal government to amend the Criminal Code in such a way as to give Ontario the right to authorize and license commercial operators. In November 2020, Bill C-218 was introduced, paving the way for single-event sports betting, and granting Ontario’s request at the same time. That bill was passed in April 2021.
Ontario immediately set to work, tying up regulatory ends and accepting applications for licenses. One year later, on April 4, 2022, the open market went live with 18 real money online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks.
PRO TIP:Four Reasons to Choose Legal Ontario Casinos
Ontarians – all Canadians, for that matter – have the advantage of choice. We can choose to gamble at any website that welcomes players from the Great White North, whether it be locally approved by the AGCO and iGO, or operating from a distant island on the other side of the world. Such is our right and privilege as citizens of this great nation. As someone who knows this industry inside and out, I can give you three very good reasons why Ontarians would do well to choose local.
1. Fairness in Transparency
An Ontario license requires all software systems to undergo strict scrutiny from auditors. Transparency of gaming results equates to unquestionable fairness of all casino games, especially the RNG (computer-generated) variety. Not all offshore operators are held to such high standards.
2. Fast & Forthcoming Payouts
When you win at one of Ontario’s licensed gambling sites, you get paid, period. Withdrawals tend to be quicker as transfers go through local financial channels.
3. Strict Security and Data Protection
Ontario requires operators to uphold the highest level of data security and player protections. No third party will ever have access to your information or sell it to the highest bidder. The iGO makes every effort to ensure your personal and financial information is private, and that it stays that way.
4. Promoting Social Responsibility
The number one priority of Ontario’s government in opening a competitive market was to make sure players remain safe from the harms of problem gambling. Regulatory Standards prohibit operators from the predatory advertising tactics so many offshore operators employ. In addition to this, betting activity is monitored to raise awareness and help identify harmful behavior before it gets out of hand. Voluntary sit-out and self-exclusion programs are in place to give players more control.
How to Become an iGaming Operator in Ontario
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Participation in Ontario’s iGaming market is a process. An operator must complete a series of steps and pay any relevant fees. The time it takes to complete the process and the corresponding fees will depend entirely on the type of business that’s applying.
There are many roles a company can play in the market. The most obvious is an operator of iGaming; this being a company that supplies games directly to customers via a website and/or mobile app. The second is a manufacturer of games; a company that produces the content offered by operators. The third is a link between the two, known as a supplier of games; a company that bundles games onto a platform and supplies them to iGaming operators.
Other companies that require registration with the AGCO and iGO include independent game testing labs, digital wallet payment systems, sports oddsmakers, and sports integrity monitors. Any business that falls within one or more of these categories will need to register with both provincial agencies. The AGCO and iGO work together to streamline the process so that it can be as quick and painless as possible.
7 Steps to AGCO & iGO Registration / Licensure
There are seven steps to registering with each of the requisite agencies. It is best to begin the process of registering with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO) at the same time. In most cases, multiple steps can be completed simultaneously.
Note that, depending on the business, steps may need to be completed in a different order. The registrar will inform the company of the necessary procedures. The following list is for educational purposes only, with links to references for additional information.
AGCO Registration
iGO Registration
Lab Testing Certification The company must provide AGCO with an authentic certificate to prove its games and critical games systems are certified by an AGCO-registered independent testing lab. [Learn More | Compliance Guide]
AGCO Registration Submit an application to register with the AGCO. This step can take 2+ months to complete and requires an online account with iAGCO to begin. [Learn More | Application Guide | iAGCO Account Setup]
AGCO Compliance Check The business must study the registrar’s iGaming Standards, then develop and implement controls that meet the regulatory objectives. [Learn More | FAQ]
iGaming Matrix Training Team members will undergo training to learn procedures and guidelines for regulatory submissions and notifications via the iAGCO portal. [Learn More | Notification Matrix Guide]
Regulatory Reporting Setup Following training, the team members will work with the AGCO Technology Regulation and iGaming Compliance Branch to set up online authorized accounts for regulatory submissions and notifications. [Learn More]
Data & Communications Setup Similar to iGO Step 3, the company is provided instructions for accessing secure data exchange services with the registrar. The company will work with the AGCO IT Branch to configure secure data exchange services for information exchanges with the registrar. [Learn More]
Technology Compliance In this final step, operators and gaming suppliers must confirm that the technology in use is in compliance with all AGCO regulatory standards and requirements. [Learn More]
Execution of NDA The company must execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Once executed, iGO will provide the company with important information, including an Operating Agreement and Policies. [Learn More | Access NDA]
Execution of LoA The company must sign a Letter of Agreement with iGO. Doing so formally begins the process of market preparation. [Learn More | Access LoA]
Initiate Secure Data Exchange The company is provided instructions for accessing SharePoint and SFTP secure data exchange services with iGO. The iGO Systems and Data Team will assist in the process. [Learn More]
AML Obligations Complete and submit a document package attesting to the company’s commercial anti-money laundering (AML) obligations. The iGO AML Team will assist in completing this step. [Learn More]
Financial Obligations Complete and submit a package of documents attesting to the company’s commercial financial obligations; (i.e. bank due diligence, GGR data, etc.) the iGO Finance Team will assist in this process. [Learn More]
Operator Readiness Testing With all systems properly configured, the company is invited to undergo systems and data readiness testing. This process will ensure that the operation is performing as expected and is ready to launch. [Learn More]
Execution of Operating Agreement After completing all AGCO steps and receiving an iGaming Operator Certificate of Registration, the company will work with the iGO legal department to sign the Operating Agreement and begin coordinating entrance to the Ontario iGaming market. [Learn More]
The latest Fintech developments in Ontario iGaming
With the opening of the Ontario iGaming floodgates, some payment providers decided to cater to local players. Paysafe, one of the world’s largest payment technology companies, recently announced its collaboration with private iGaming operators. They aim to support payments in the Canadian province of Ontario’s expanded market.
Paysafe offers an amalgamation of traditional and alternative payment solutions. These include eCash, which is a form of eCheck – a digital version of a paper check, much like the ones already familiar to Canadian gamers.
2) Nuvei introduces “Ecashout” for Ontario iGaming withdrawals (April 2022)
Ecashout was created by Nuvei, a leading global payment technology partner that provides solutions for online and mobile payments, fraud prevention, and data security. Nuvei has been operating in the Canadian market since 2003 and has played a quintessential role in Ontario’s iGaming industry from day one.
Nuvei launched eCashout in April 2022, coinciding with the launch of iGaming Ontario (iGO). iGO is a regulatory figurehead in Ontario, allowing private gaming operators and suppliers to offer internet gaming services in the province. Such services include single-event sports betting, which became legal in Canada in August 2021.
Exploring Promising Market Trends in ON: Numbers and Forecasts
Spill Media’s industry report for the year 2021 estimated the eOffshore EGGR (projected gross revenue) for Canada to be roughly 4 billion US Dollars, with a high percentage of the total population (~38 million) participating in gambling activities. The iGaming industry was nascent at that point. The projected GGR was just $14 million; a figure that would eventually be far surpassed following the introduction of regulation on a provincial level in mid-2022.
According to iGaming Ontario’s FY 2023-24 Q1 Market Performance Report, the total gaming revenue was $545 million from April 1st to June 30, 2023. This shows us that the eOffshore EGGR is starting to get closer to the iGaming GGR, at least from its initial forecast.
So Much More to Come…
That wraps up the latest iGaming news in ON, but we have lots more information to share with you. You’ll find it all within the pages of this ever-growing website. We cover all the important details, like who’s eligible to gamble online in Ontario, and what are the easiest and fastest payment methods commonly available in the market. Note that virtually all brands listed here accept Canadian credit cards. However, your bank needs to be supported of course. For first-timers, we have a quick step-by-step guide to iGaming account set-up to help you get started.
We hope that through interacting with you, our readers, we can answer numerous questions about the market as a whole. Our goals are wide-reaching. We want to discover everything from the economic impact of iGaming regulation to what Ontario’s favorite online casino games really are. We know that advancements in mobile technology are crucial to success in today’s society, but is an app-only approach going too far? Social media would lead us to believe that live dealer games are powerful performers. We want to dig deeper to find out if it’s the real deal or all hype.
… And More than Just eChecks
Although the eCheck laws are favorable to iGaming in regulated markets, there are of course a host of other payment solutions. Countless new payment methods are being introduced by forward-thinking fintech companies such as Gigadat and others. That’s why in this section, we review some new deposit options such as Apple Pay, and also brush up on old ones such as InstaDebit for Ontario.
Yes, online casinos are legal in Ontario. Online gambling has never been illegal in Ontario, per say, but it was not explicitly authorized (made legal) until just recently. In June of 2021, the federal government passed Bill C-218, permitting each province to authorize and regulate single-event sports betting. Ontario used this amendment as a catalyst to justify its own legal framework, allowing for a competitive iGaming market. Under the new rules, Ontario’s market went live on April 4, 2022, featuring online casinos, poker rooms and sports betting websites.
Most of Ontario’s online casinos accept major credit/debit cards, direct bank transfers, prepaid cards, and web wallets.
Every online casino’s banking section is different, but some payment methods are static. For example, you can always expect to find Visa and Mastercard deposits and withdrawals available.
Canada’s exclusive Interac instant online banking network is on every list, often followed by eCheck, iDebit and InstaDebit. The most common web wallets are Apple Pay and MuchBetter. Prepaid methods (physical cards and virtual vouchers) are available for deposits only, and are likely to include EcoCard, Flexepin, Neosurf, and/or Paysafecard. To see which payment methods are available at a specific online casino, visit its website and preview the Banking or Help/FAQ page for details.
The eCheck Casino security framework is five-fold:
1) Use of modern encryption technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer).
2) Secure payment processing as per Canadian banking standards, that also meets PCI Standards.
3) Gaming Licenses and regulations, managed by the iGo.
4) KYC (know your customer) - This has become a common practice in the iGaming industry.
5) Transparent privacy policies.
The length of time it can take to receive an online casino payout depends largely on the method of withdrawal. Web wallets like ApplePay and MuchBetter tend to be the fastest, taking 24-48 hours. Direct banking methods (bank transfer, debit card, Interac, iDebit, etc.) may take anywhere from 3 to 7 business days. Requesting a cheque by mail carries the longest wait of up to 14 days. Check the online casino’s banking or help section for guidance on withdrawal times.
There are currently 79 online casinos operating under the regulatory guidance and licensure of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO). This includes poker rooms and sportsbook offerings which technically fall under the scope of "casino". For casino only, there are around 63 at this moment in time.
A legitimate online casino is one that is licensed and regulated in Ontario.
There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of online casinos accepting players from Ontario. Knowing whether an operator is legitimate or not is as simple as observing its license. Any iGaming site that bears the license and logo of iGaming Ontario is legitimate, authorized, and legally operating in the province.
There are currently 63 (pure) online casino platforms operating in the Ontario iGaming market. This means casino skins only (not poker or sports). They include (in alphabetical order):
Every online casino registered with the AGCO and licensed by iGO will honor its winners’ payouts.
Online casinos that are licensed and regulated by the province are obligated to comply with strict laws that govern the fairness of games and protect the rights of all players. Employing regularly tested software, all wins are monitored, legitimized, and paid out promptly. The province has no control over the payout accuracy of iGaming websites that are not licensed and regulated in Ontario. whether other sites actually pay their winners is dependent on the regulations under which they operate, if any.
Donna Dorsa is a veteran practitioner of the linguistic arts. As an independent writing and editing professional, she's spent more than 15 years researching and playing an active role in the world's ever-evolving iGaming industry. The daughter of a novelist and electrical engineer, her passions include creative literature, mathematics, game theory, and sitting around the table with her family for a good old-fashioned card or board game. In her spare time she runs a 3D printer business from home. Here is her Patreon. You can read her bio and find her socials on our meet the team page.
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