How can I tell if an online casino is registered in Ontario?

The single most reliable check is dead simple: look up the site on iGaming Ontario's official operator directory before you deposit a cent. If it's not on that list, it's not operating legally in the province.

The authoritative source: iGaming Ontario's operator directory

iGaming Ontario maintains a public directory of all igaming sites offered by regulated operators contracted by iGaming Ontario. You can find it at igamingontario.ca/en/operator/operators — it's kept current, and the listing is updated every time a new site offered by a regulated and authorized operator becomes available. The AGCO itself points players there: a directory of all fully registered and authorized operators and their igaming sites is available via the iGaming Ontario website.

What does it actually mean to be on that list? In Ontario, being a fully registered and authorized operator means the organization has successfully received a registration by the AGCO and, with the exception of OLG.ca, has executed an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. To complete those steps, organizations will have met rigorous standards of game integrity, fairness, and player protections. Their sites will have controls preventing underage access and measures to enable more responsible gambling, and they have entered legal agreements ensuring compliance with applicable laws, including anti-money laundering.

The iGaming Ontario logo

Beyond the directory, there's a visual signal to watch for on the sites themselves. Look for the iGaming Ontario logo wherever you play — it's a sign that you're playing on a site that is being conducted and managed by iGaming Ontario, offers player protections, and meets Ontario's high standards for game integrity and responsible gambling. That said, a logo alone should never be your only check; a fraudulent site could display one. Always cross-reference with the official directory.

What you actually get by playing on a registered site

Registration isn't just a bureaucratic checkbox. Regulated operators are required to ensure transparent play for all games, accurate payout of winnings, and that personal information and data are secure. Unregistered sites carry real risks: game transparency is not ensured, payouts may not be timely or accurate and could be withheld or delayed, and your personal information may not be secured.

There's also a responsible-gambling dimension worth knowing. All igaming operators in Ontario participate in BetGuard, a tool that allows people to opt out of all regulated online gambling in Ontario. Operators are also required to have their own self-exclusion program that meets the requirements set out in the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming. None of those protections exist on unregistered offshore sites.

One edge case: OLG.ca

OLG.ca is operated legally under the conduct and management of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation — it's a separate legal arrangement from the private operators contracted through iGaming Ontario, but it is fully legal and appears in the same directory.

The bottom line: spend thirty seconds on the iGaming Ontario directory before signing up anywhere. It's the only verification that actually counts. If you ever have concerns about problem gambling, ConnexOntario is available 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600.