Remote sports betting and iGaming represent big business in Canada now, especially since the province of Ontario launched a fully licensed, regulated and integrated gambling market on April 4th, 2022.
Incredibly, there are now 65 licensed gambling brands operating in Ontario alone, with this number including 30 sportsbooks and globally renowned names such as BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and Bet365 from the UK.
This has initiated the biggest shake-up of Canada’s gambling industry for decades, while also creating both opportunities and challenges for online bettors. In this article, I’ll take a brief look at the evolution of Canada’s online gambling marketplace over time, while asking how detailed operator reviews are becoming more important than ever before!
Then and Now – A History of Gambling in Canada
Online gambling launched in earnest in 1994 when a select few brands (including software house Microgaming) collaborated to launch rudimentary casino games and platforms with the backing of licensing organizations in the Caribbean.
While Canada was quick to offer online gambling verticals to citizens, markets were regulated stringently and typically controlled by a single, government-backed entity. In Ontario, for example, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) was the only body authorized to offer iGaming verticals and products, with private domestic and international operators prohibited from participating in the marketplace.
This created iGaming monopolies nationwide, while arguably restricting the potential growth of gambling as a popular pastime and source of taxation for local provinces. It also created challenges for players, who were restricted in terms of the games and verticals they could access.
It was Ontario that first sought to end this monopoly, as they announced their decision to loosen the lottery’s grip on the province’s iGaming market in April 2019. The legislation was introduced the following year, before Ontario’s iGaming space became a fully open and regulated marketplace on April 4th, 2022.
Regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and its subsidiary iGaming Ontario (which manages all licensees and compliance issues), this market is now open to established international operators, with PointsBet, theScore, Rivalry, Rush Street Interactive, Bet365, FanDuel and 888 all among the first to stake their claim. Developers such as Inspired Entertainment, Play’n Go and High 5 Games have also launched in the market, providing a variety of game verticals to brands and players alike.
Why are Reviews More Important Than Ever
While establishing an open market can encourage greater levels of competition and regulation, it also creates a breeding ground for rogue operators. It can certainly be argued that the introduction of more stringent regulations for customers pushes some towards a black-market environment, which may operate alongside the licensed space and attract players with apparently lucrative (but ultimately predatory) wagering terms and unrestricted gameplay.
After all, September 2021 saw the AGCO finalize its standards for iGaming and sports betting, which included a blanket ban on autoplay features for online slots and a minimum spin speed of 2.5 seconds. So, if players feel unnecessarily constricted by such features, they may unknowingly choose an unlicensed operator that offers a completely different but unregulated games library.
This is one of the main reasons why independent casino and sportsbook reviews are more important than ever. Certainly, some examination can prove useful when appraising which operators are licensed in Ontario, as affiliate comparison sites ensure that all their listed brands have an iGO license before reviewing everything they have to offer. Online casino reviews can mean the difference between a positive, and a very negative online experience.
Of course, such comprehensive reviews also help you to compare and contrast licensed brands across a broad range of metrics, enabling you to narrow your search and select the operator that best suits your unique tastes and preferences.
What to Look for in Gaming Reviews
The question that remains, of course, is what exactly should you look for in independent casino reviews? This is a difficult question to answer, as each player has their preferred iGaming verticals and will want to tailor their experience accordingly. However, here are some universally important review metrics that must be considered before you select a site!
- The Range of Payment Methods: Whether you’re an avid slots fan or like to back your favourite sports franchise online, every casino and sportsbook will require you to credit your account. You’ll also want to access your winnings as quickly as possible and without paying a commission, so extensive reviews should include a detailed list of banking methods, minimum and maximum thresholds and average payout times.
- Safety and Security: All regulated and licensed online betting platforms should also deploy 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum standard, with this helping to secure individual transactions and keep your sensitive financial information private. When playing casino games, operators are also required to publish the average return-to-player (RTP) rates that they offer, while random number generators (RNGs) should be used to create fair and transparent gameplay experiences too.
- Customer Support: Even when wagering with a reputable site, you may occasionally encounter issues with your account, such as bonuses not loading or withdrawals taking longer than usual. Because of this, you must prioritize casinos and remote sportsbooks that offer excellent and responsive customer service, which should include 24/7 support via live chat, email and an excellent FAQ resource where possible.
