- The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) is the government body that oversees all lottery, casino, and racetrack operations in the province. This group makes it illegal to gamble under the age of 18.
- Ontario Regulations As one of the largest provinces in Canada in terms of territory, economic development, and population, Ontario has a thriving gambling sector. Residents have a choice from a wide range of gaming products, including bingo, slot machines, card games, and lotteries.
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- In Canada, legalized gambling exists under the authority of the federal Criminal Code of Canada
- However, each province and territory is responsible for their gambling operations
In Ontario, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) is responsible for gaming operations including: province-wide lottery games, charity and aboriginal casinos, slot facilities at race tracks and commercial casinos (Casino Rama, for example). - You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase lottery tickets in Ontario, or enter a casino. Under legislation passed in 1997, it is a provincial offense, punishable by significant fines, to sell OLGC tickets to anyone under the age of 18.
- OLGC lottery products cannot be purchased over the Internet.
Where Can You Gamble?
- There are 4 commercial casinos, and 5 charity casinos in Ontario. These casinos have 630 table games and 13,930 slot machines.
- There are 16 slot machine at facilities varying racetracks in Ontario.
- The OLGC is responsible for province-wide lottery games, charity and aboriginal casinos, slot facilities at racetracks, and commercial casinos.
- There are more than 10,600 OLGC lottery retailers across the province offering 12 different lottery games.
- Approximately 8,600 of these retailers operate video lottery terminals for computer-generated games.
Sources: Azmier, Jason. 2005. Gambling in Canada 2005: Statistics and Context. Canada West Foundation. Calgary, Alberta.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Annual Report 2004, “Winning Against the Odds”. www.olgc.ca
Ontario’s Conservative government has revealed plans to end the current online gambling monopoly and also legalise single event sports betting in the Canadian province.
In the 2019 provincial budget, the government has said it intends to establish a competitive market for online legal gambling “that will reflect consumer choice while protecting consumers who play on these websites”.
The proposed market will include both casino-style gaming and sports betting, with the government set to consult with key stakeholders to set out how the new-look market will operate.
Ontario currently operates under a monopoly system, with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) the only approved operator to offer igaming via its PlayOGA.ca website.
In the budget, the government also sets out its desire to legalise single event sports wagering in Ontario, quoting a number of leading individuals in the North American professional sports market who have previously backed the motion. Currently only wagering on multiple events and parlay betting is permitted.
NHL ice hockey league commissioner, Gary Bettman, is among those that support such a move, saying that a level playing surface for wagering betting is in the best interest of the NHL’s own sports betting landscape.
“With two NHL franchises in Ontario and two right on the border with the US, Ontario is a very important market for the NHL,” Bettman said. “Accordingly, the NHL does not object to the Province of Ontario's initiative to offer single event wagering when it is permitted.”
NBA basketball commissioner, Adam Silver, has also given his backing to legal single event sports betting in Ontario, saying that such regulation would help to protect fans and the integrity of games.
Silver added: “Should the Federal Government permit betting on single sporting events, the NBA would support the Province of Ontario offering this form of betting, subject to appropriate safeguards. The NBA has agreements with multiple licensed international gaming companies that incorporate these safeguards and can help provide a roadmap for Ontario.”
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber and Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie have also voiced support support for Ontario's plans.
Meanwhile, the government also used the budget to set out proposed changes for the OLG it said will help to create new jobs, provide opportunities for businesses and improve access to gambling products.
One such proposal includes upgrading OLG lottery terminals and expanding its lottery retail network in order to provide more interactive gaming experiences. Consumers could also soon be able to purchase products such as Pro-Line and Lotto 6/49 using their smartphones.
Indian Casino Regulations
The government is also keen to enhance the retail experience by making it easier to purchase lottery tickets at grocery store check-out lanes at select retailers. In addition, plans are in place to expand and upgrade existing casinos, as well as open new facilities in Pickering and Peterborough.
Ontario’s government is also keen to work more closely with professional sports leagues and teams such as NBA franchise the Toronto Raptors to provide players with greater gaming experiences and entertainment.
Ontario Casino Regulations 2020
In addition, the government will now allow casinos to advertise complimentary alcohol. The government said that this will help to create a level playing field for Ontario casinos and allow them to compete more effectively with facilities in the US.