Ontario is many steps ahead of the rest of Canada when it comes to online gaming. Every aspect of online gaming is bigger and better here, from the variety of online casinos and games to promos and player protections. Notably, the live casino Ontario scene is also more vibrant for players who prefer a live-dealer gaming experience. How so? Take a deeper look into the differences between Ontario vs. Canada live casino scenes.
Regulation
Regulation is the main difference between Ontario’s and the rest of Canada’s live casino scenes. In Canada, every province has the authority to regulate their online gambling industries as it sees fit. Canada was the first to regulate its industry under the iGaming Ontario framework in 2022. Regulating the online gambling industry enables Ontario to license private operators and international casinos. Many of the private platforms have some of the world’s best live casinos.
In contrast, online gambling regulations across other Canadian provinces are basic. Most of the provinces have their own government-operated online casinos where residents can play. While the government-run casinos have live games, they aren’t nearly as competitive or innovative as those offered by private operators in Ontario.
Player Protection
Safety is perhaps the most crucial difference between Ontario vs. Canada live casino markets. Simply put, you are safer playing at a live casino (or regular online casino for that matter) in Ontario than in the rest of Canada.
Ontario has strict, elaborate gambling laws that regulate every aspect of how live casinos operate. For starters, iGaming Ontario thoroughly vets all online casinos that apply for licenses to operate there. For example, it conducts financial audits to verify whether casinos have enough funds to pay out winnings. They also audit all game mechanics, including live dealer mechanics, to ascertain fair play. The vetting ensures that only the best casinos can enter Ontario’s vibrant gambling industry.
Additionally, iGaming Ontario also requires all online casinos to provide the following responsible gambling tools:
- Deposit Limits – Players should be able to restrict how much money they deposit into their account per day, week, or month.
- Time-Out Periods – Like taking a break, players should be able to temporarily lock their accounts for periods ranging from 24 hours to 30 days. Some casinos also have tools that monitor how much time players spend on the site and prompt them to take breaks.
- Self-Exclusion – Players looking to take a longer break from gambling should have the self-exclusion option, which locks their accounts temporarily or permanently. Notably, Ontario has an RFGO (Register for Gaming-Related Self-Exclusions) that lets players limit their access to all live casinos licensed in the province.
- Dedicated Support – Casinos must also have a dedicated customer support channel to handle issues related to problem gambling.
Government-run live casinos in other Canadian provinces also have similar player protections. However, it is also worth noting that they aren’t the only option for residents. People can still access and play at offshore casinos that aren’t licensed or regulated in Canada. In fact, many Canadians prefer playing at offshore casinos in a bid to expand their choices. Unfortunately, these player protections aren’t guaranteed at offshore casinos. For example, there’s no way to prove fair gaming.
Variety & Quality of Live Casinos & Games
There’s no doubt that Ontario residents enjoy a wider and better variety of live casinos and games than the rest of Canada. The local gambling industry has been bustling with activity since Ontario opened its doors to the outside world. There are currently over 70 international casinos licensed to operate in Ontario. They include some of the world’s best brands, such as:
- Spin Casino
- DraftKings Casino
- BetMGM Casino
- 888Casino
- LeoVegas Casino
- PokerStars Casino
Most of the private operators have vibrant live dealer lobbies. What’s more, the intense competition motivates them to keep improving their live casinos. For example, they try to offer as many games as possible; many also regularly update their live games with new releases. Moreover, presentation matters, and many casinos only work with professional dealers who host games in vibrant settings. The result: a more diverse, engaging experience for players at Ontario vs. Canada live casino platforms.
In contrast, players across the rest of Canada have limited choices of locally regulated live casinos. Legally, they can only play at the government-run casinos. Unfortunately, not all government-operated casinos in Canada offer live games. What’s more, the variety of quality of games is basic at best compared to the live casinos operating in Ontario.
Bonus Offers
Bonuses are a way for online casinos to stand out from the competition and attract more players. To this end, a competitive market motivates casinos to offer more, bigger bonuses. This is evident in the Ontario vs. Canada live casino scene.
With over 70 licensed online casinos, Ontario’s industry is bustling with competition. To this end, all casinos offer bonuses. The bonus types and sizes vary between different casinos.
The most common offer is a welcome bonus, which players get for signing up or making the first deposit. It usually consists of a cash bonus plus bonus spins. Many casinos also offer reload bonuses and cashback offers. Interestingly, some casinos also offer bonuses exclusively tailored for live gaming. Besides being many and generous, the offers also usually come with reasonable wagering requirements.
In contrast, regulated casinos across the rest of Canada offer fewer and smaller bonuses. In fact, most offers are limited to a small welcome bonus; it would be rare to find offers exclusively tailored for live gaming. However, residents also have access to offshore casinos, which offer more competitive bonuses.
What Does the Future Hold?
Ontario clearly wins hands-down in the Ontario vs. Canada live casino comparison. The rest of Canada still has a lot of catching up to do. However, the future looks different, as some provinces are already making plans to open and expand their online gambling industries.
Most notably, Alberta already has plans to open up its market to private operators. There are talks of licensing popular platforms like BetMGM Casino and 888Casino under the AGLC licensing. British Columbia is making similar plans, but it may take longer to implement them. There is also growing pressure for Quebec to soften its stance against privatized online gambling, and it seems to be working. Unfortunately, transition periods may be slow, and some provinces may never change.
For Ontario residents, the future is already here, and it will only get better. iGaming Ontario is very innovative, which explains why the industry has come this far in under three years. Interestingly, players across the rest of Canada can enjoy the benefits of playing in Ontario. Essentially, all Canadians can register and play at Ontario casinos like they do at offshore casinos.
Conclusion
Live casino gaming in Ontario is bigger and better than across the rest of Canada. For starters, it is safe, as live casinos here are licensed and closely regulated. Moreover, it is vibrant thanks to the wide variety of online casinos and live games; Ontario residents can play at some of the best online casinos in the world. Last but not least, it is more rewarding as games are fair and bonuses are plenty. Fortunately, the Ontario market is open to Canadians from all other provinces.
