Ontario’s Latest Licensed Operator: Coolbets and What You Should Know About Them

Canada’s largest province ushered in a new era for online gambling on the 4th of April 2022, after Ontario launched its new regulated online gaming market.

Before the new legal framework took effect, many sportsbooks and online casinos operated in a grey zone. Most Canadians were making bets on offshore platforms, which were not supervised by Canadian authorities, resulting in a smaller degree of protection.

However, now the entire online gambling landscape in Ontario is changing with the new concept of iGaming Ontario, a regulatory agency certifying Ontario casinos, ensuring a high level of security and facilitating the development of homegrown platforms in the province.

This new agency is under Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission, which has already issued licenses to a dozen credible operators. Coolbets is the latest iGaming site to receive its stamp of approval.

As a licensed operator, Coolbets can accept players from the province and offer a wide range of slot games and great coverage of sports betting markets.

About the Ontario Online Casino Market

Players benefit from a regulated online gaming industry, considering the internet is full of scams. The entire market is elevated to a new level of security and reliability with the introduction of the new law requiring online casinos to register with iGaming Ontario. Platforms now have to follow the guidelines enforced by the agency to be able to provide their services to players from the province.

The licencing procedure is not routine paperwork but an extensive set of obligations operators must implement and fully comply with. Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission prioritizes responsible gambling policies, ensuring players have self-exclusion options.

At the same time, the agency ensures all the games provide fair outcomes, and in case of a dispute, it can arbitrate the issue between the player and operator, something that’s not always available on international platforms.

There are also rules about marketing campaigns, especially strict regulations about influencing minors or presenting misleading claims about what players can expect. Any failure to abide by the stipulations results in revoking the registration.

And in case of damages to players, legal action is an option. Most reputable brands in the industry have welcomed the new regulations. In fact, they have been lobbying for years for this step to get implemented, giving them legal access to the large market.

Even before the iGaming market in Ontario officially launched, 25 companies submitted their registration request with AGCO. Thirteen operators went live in Ontario on April 4. They paid a $100,000 licensing fee and will be taxed on 20% of their earnings.

Since the market launched, another dozen companies have joined the fold, rounding up the number to 29 licensed online casinos before the end of the year.

Why Coolbets Casino Is a Must Try

Coolbets is not a new platform for Canadian players. Before April 4, 2022, it relied on its licence from the Malta Gaming Authority to signal legitimacy to Canuck players. But once the Ontario provincial government started issuing licenses, the operator was among the first platforms to submit its request and obtain a license.

The new certificate did not alter the gaming package of this iGaming site but required all previously registered and new Canadian players to verify their identity.

At the same time, the operator unrolled new mobile apps for the Ontario market, enabling more convenient gaming. Players can access the platform through desktop and mobile devices either through a web browser or by sourcing the apps via the Google Play Store and App Store.

Either method will unpack the vast gaming landscape created through the collaboration with over 50 software vendors, with popular developers such as Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Games Global, Yggdrasil, and Quickspin being at the forefront. There are over 1,500 thematic slot games in a well-structured lobby with filter options that allow for fast navigation of the portfolio.

Although slots take centre stage, the lobby is diverse, with live dealer games covering roulette, blackjack and baccarat tables. There are over 150 games in the live casino section, and players can interact with a small army of croupiers hosting tables from authentic studios streamed in real-time on any device.

Starting to spin the reels at Coolbet Casinos or making a sports bet is very affordable, with a minimal deposit limit set at C$10, which is on the low scale of the industry. Plus, there is a suite of reliable payment providers to facilitate the transaction.

As a platform operating under an AGCO license, it’s appropriate that a domestic banking method such as Interac is included in the cashier. Yet, there are also other reliable providers such as Visa, MasterCard, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, Neosurf and Jeton. The good news is all payment providers (except Neosurf) facilitate withdrawals and the operator processes payout requests on average within 3 hours.

The platform greets members with a generous welcome bonus, packaged as a match deposit percentage and a bundle of free spins. Our Coolbets Casino review has identified a carousel of recurring promo deals for registered members that can boost gaming sessions.

Ontario Players Can Also Try Their Luck at 888 Casino

Players starting to explore the new interactive gaming market in Ontario can also make a pit stop at 888 Casino and check out the offer. This is one of the biggest brands in the industry, an operator that delivers its players’ proprietary gaming software.

Our 888 Casino Review discovered an intuitive user interface on a streamlined website, which offers a modern layout with fast load speeds on any device. The operation has not left anything to chance and is constantly updating the platform striving for a smooth gaming experience.

There are over 1,000 slot titles to choose from, and playing at this online casino is supported by a wealth of features. The cashier is brimming with payment methods, such as e-wallets and bank cards, with flexible deposit and withdrawal limits. Moreover, based on our 888Casino reviews, promotional program offers great perks to active Canadian players.

Top-notch customer support is at hand to resolve any problem or provide guidance for claiming bonuses and making deposits. Joining an online casino with a reputation as an industry titan is never a worn call, especially when it’s a platform that has secured its Ontario iGaming licence.

More Licensed Brands Will Follow

The AGCO offices have been busy this year with multiple operators submitting requests for a licence while the agency was simultaneously supervising online casinos operating under its regulatory umbrella in the province.

For players, the wave of legalization is a welcome sight, bringing more security. Additionally, competition breeds quality, with platforms trying to carve out a piece of the market by offering more engaging games and reliable services. The launch of the Ontario iGaming market will no doubt elevate the standards for online casinos and sportsbooks in the province.

Considering that the provincial government is taxing licence operators, there is a willingness to include more online casinos in the market, which may increase its revenue stream, and funding budgets for the province’s infrastructural needs. There is still interest among homegrown and intentional operators to make their mark in Ontario the legal way, and players are happy to see more choices.

The current focus of AGCO is on transitioning operators from the unregulated to a regulated market. We expect to see an increase in the number of licenced Ontario casinos in the upcoming months.