Ontario Online Casino Bonuses getting Sweeter
Toronto online casino players finding sweeter deposit bonuses at home.
For more than three years, the majority of gambling enthusiasts in Ontario have elected to do their iGaming with international casino websites. When provincial regulators launched a home-grown iGaming website in January of 2015, it failed to draw much attention. Recent interpretations of the legal climate are finally helping to bring in more players.
Toronto is the largest city in Canada, and home to the highest population of gamblers. A new report that details the 2017 gambling revenue in Canada indicates that Ontario accounts for 43% of all gambling revenue in the country. It also revealed an undeniably impressive rise in year-over-year iGaming revenue of 485%; up to $49.2 million from just $8.4 million in 2016.
Anecdata tells us that more money continues to flow into international iGaming websites than the home-grown variety. However, those figures are a clear indication that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG) is doing something right. Most notably, they’ve begun introducing promotions on PlayOLG.ca, including previously non-existent welcome bonuses.
Sweeter Bonuses for Toronto Online Casino Players
In years past, if Ontarians wanted to boost their bankroll upon deposit, they had to register with internationally regulated casino websites. The laws of Canada didn’t allow provinces to offer promotional inducements. While that law remains on the books [R.S.C. 202(1)(h)], regulators have managed to skew its meaning enough to deliver welcome bonus packages to their online casino members.
I’ve read a lot of online casino bonus terms and conditions over the years, and after skimming over the Bonus T&C at PlayOLG, I have to commend their efforts. Although not as generous in quantity as many offshore competitors, the overall value for players is rare.
Ontario Online Casino Bonuses & Terms
New members of PlayOLG are now welcome to claim a dollar-for-dollar match bonus of up to $100 on the first, second and third deposit; a total value of up to $300 in bonus credits. A minimum $15 deposit is required to collect each bonus.
That’s the low end of the deal, especially when you compare it to the $1,000+ value of most international online casinos. But the fine print makes the deal so much sweeter.
Players who claim these bonuses must only complete 10x wager requirements (not the average 35x offered elsewhere). Plus, that WR only applies to the bonus credits, not the deposit (as opposed to typical deposit+bonus WR).
Let’s compare…
If a player deposits $100 at PlayOLG, they’ll start with a $200 bankroll. They’ll then have 30 days to complete $1,000 (10x WR) in aggregate wagers. Any winnings the player accumulates during that time then transfers to their cash balance, eligible for withdrawal. There is no defined limit to the amount a player can win and withdrawal when wagering with bonus credits.
At your average international online casinos, a player might claim 100% up to $1200 on the first three deposits. The first deposit will match at 100%, with the second and third matching at a lower rate of 25%-75%. With 35x WR on deposit+bonus, a $100 first-time deposit would require $7,000 in wagers to complete. Then, the player can withdrawal any remaining winnings, up to $200.
Clearly, the home-grown Ontario online casino bonuses offer more value to players. They are much easier to clear, and do not limit the amount a player can win and cash out.
The one stipulation on which all gambling websites seem to agree is that certain games will not count towards WR, or will contribute a lesser amount. PlayOLG delivers 100% WR (dollar-for-dollar) on slots, keno and SpinWin only. FastPoker contributes 50% to WR; blackjack sic bo, Texas hold’em and war 10%. Wagers on all roulette, video poker, mini baccarat and lottery games will not count towards WR. Veteran Toronto online casino players will recognize these as similar limitations at offshore websites.
Why Ontarians Continually Choose Offshore Casinos
Yes, the bonus deals are sweet in Ontario! There’s no denying that. But there are so many more opportunities available at internationally regulated casinos. The game variety is much greater. The bonuses keep coming well after the initial deposit. Valuable VIP programs are available, especially rewarding for high rollers. And anyone who likes to wager on sports can place straight-up bets, with phenomenally better odds than what Canada can legally offer.
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