The last few years have seen a number of changes to the laws surrounding sports betting in Ontario. Unsurprisingly, this has led to many wondering whether it is legal to visit a casino in Ontario to bet on sports.
Although you’ll only need to be 19 years of age to bet on sports or visit a casino in Ontario, land-based sites and online sportsbooks are overseen by different governing bodies. This means you can’t visit a casino in Ontario to bet on sports directly; however, you can still find some great online sportsbooks to join today.
Both land-based casinos and online sports betting are legal in Ontario, and both require you to be at least 19 years of age. However, before you take advantage of our NFL betting guides and stroll on down to one of many retail establishments in Ontario, it is worth noting that you will not be able to visit a casino in Ontario to bet on sports directly.
Under Ontario’s regulatory framework, operators can only provide online gaming sites that have received official backing from iGaming Ontario and are registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
All land-based casinos and retail gaming establishments are managed by Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG). Due to the recent change in law, the introduction of a mobile site would require iGaming Ontario to oversee the land-based gaming site. Instead of causing the confusion of having two licences and regulating bodies overseeing one operator, things are split into retail and online gaming.
To keep things simple, Ontario Lottery and Gaming oversees all land-based activity, while iGaming Ontario and the AGCO licence and regulate Ontario sports betting sites.
As briefly touched upon, 19 is the minimum age you will need to be to visit a casino in Ontario or place bets on top NBA betting markets in Ontario. However, you will not be able to place sports bets at the land-based establishment directly.
Of course, provided you pass relevant KYC checks at both a land-based casino and a separate online betting site, you will be able to make use of the mobile app or visit the sportsbook through your mobile browser while inside a retail casino.
We’ve created this convenient table to highlight the kind of documents you may be expected to provide.
| Photo ID | Household Bill |
|---|---|
| Military licence | Gas |
| Driving licence | Electric |
| Passport | Water |
| Health Card | Sewage |
Now you know a little bit more about land-based casinos and online sports betting platforms in Ontario, it is time to run through the process of building your sports bets.
Make use of our comparisons to find a sportsbook suited to your preferences
Download the app or visit the sports betting site to register
Input relevant basic details and create your account
Pass KYC checks by providing sufficient photo ID and a household bill
Head to the cashier section and make a deposit
Search through the online sportsbook, add to your betslip, enter you bet value, and submit
Although you cannot visit a casino in Ontario to bet on sports, you will have the freedom to do both separately as soon as you turn 19. It’s also a good idea to stay updated with the latest Ontario gambling news to see if it will affect the outcome of your bets. As land-based casinos and online sportsbooks are overseen by two separate organisations, you’ll need to complete two separate KYC checks before visiting or placing any bets. To help you find the best places to bet online, we’ve been busy curating reviews that cover everything from the kind of support offered and betting markets provided to the competitiveness of the odds and overall usability.
You can visit a casino in Ontario from the age of 19, provided you have passed all relevant KYC checks. Although you cannot bet on sports at a casino, you can join an online sports betting platform from the age of 19, too.
As retail casinos and online sportsbooks are governed by different regulators, you’ll find that you cannot directly visit a casino in Ontario to bet on sports. However, you can register for both separately.
Although you cannot visit a casino in Ontario to bet on sports, you can visit a casino or bet on sports online through a dedicated site at the age of 19.
Players must be 19 years of age or older to reach the minimum age for gambling in Ontario. Please play responsibly - Gambling can be addictive. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) www.igamingontario.ca ; or (b) www.connexontario.ca .
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