In 2022, Ontario became the first Canadian province to introduce a regulated market for gambling and online slot games. This means that Ontario-based gaming operators that register through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) are able to offer online gaming to residents of Ontario.
A critical part of maintaining a safe and regulated gaming environment is ensuring that no-one under the age of 19 is able to gamble in Ontario (excluding buying a lottery ticket and playing offline bingo in physical establishments, which you can legally do once you are 18).
Online casinos have a responsibility to make sure that none of their players are minors, since non-compliance would mean that they are breaking the law and could have their licence removed by the AGCO.
What Is the Legal Gambling Age for Online Slots in Ontario?
At online casinos like Spin Genie Ontario, players must be at least 19 years old to be able to access slots and other online casino games. The law changes depending on which Canadian province you are in – for example, in Quebec and Alberta the legal age for gambling is 18.
Although 18 year olds can buy lottery tickets and participate in offline bingo games in Ontario, the province opted for a gambling age of 19 to provide additional protection for younger players.
All players are required to enter personal details such as their full name, date of birth, and address when they sign up for an online casino, and this information is then verified via a Credit Bureau check. If players are found to be underage, they will not be able to register with the casino.
Why Ontario’s Online Gambling Age Is Set at 19
Ontario’s gambling age is set at 19 for a number of reasons. The province is committed to responsible gambling, which is also demonstrated by it becoming the first to create a regulated market for online gaming.
By requiring that players are a year older than the legal age in other provinces such as Quebec and Alberta, Ontario hopes to prevent gambling addiction in younger players. Older players are also likely to be more financially savvy and less likely to take big risks, leading to more responsible gambling.
In Ontario the legal drinking age is also 19, and it is hoped that by this age young people will be more mature and educated about how to drink and gamble responsibly.
How Do Online Casinos Ensure Compliance?
Online casinos like Spin Genie have robust processes in place to make sure they remain compliant with the legal gambling age. Know Your Customer (KYC) processes are used to verify the identity (and age) of players, including requirements for players to submit identification when they register, age verification and location verification.
Geolocation software is also used to verify that players are in Ontario, since Ontario-based casinos are only allowed to provide services to those who are physically in the province.
Any online casinos that do not comply with the law risk heavy fines and even losing their licences, which means that only trusted operators like Spin Genie remain in the market.
Penalties for Underage Gambling and Preventative Measures
The AGCO can impose heavy fines and restrictions on online casinos that fail to prevent underage gambling. They can even have their licence removed, which means they will be unable to trade.
Licensed casinos like Spin Genie implement a variety of responsible gambling measures to protect all players, including those who are younger or more at risk. Marketing is never child-appealing, and there are various tools available to players to help them gamble responsibly.
Self-exclusion tools allow them to take an extended break from gaming by temporarily suspending their account, deposit limits help players to control their spending, and ‘reality check’ warnings remind players how long they have been playing a game for, and how much they have won or lost.
Play All Your Favourite Games at Spin Genie’s Licensed Online Casino in Ontario
Remaining compliant with Ontario’s legal gambling age is one of the most important factors for casinos in Ontario to consider. By having robust measures in place to stop underage gambling, casinos are protecting vulnerable players from risk.
To ensure compliance with the law when gambling in Ontario, make sure you play at licensed online casinos like Spin Genie to enjoy a secure, legal gaming experience with your best interests at heart.
