Casino licence and transparency checklist for Canadian players
Eight points to check yourself before you deposit, with the registers to search in Canada.
To verify an online casino, find the licence number and company name in the footer, search that number in the regulator's public register, and check terms, withdrawals, support and safer gambling tools. In Ontario, confirm the operator is registered with iGaming Ontario. This list guides each step.
A licence logo means little unless it leads to a record you can check. This checklist gives you eight items to confirm before you register. Before you decide, check our online casino ranking for Canada.
It is a help for your own verification and does not certify any operator. You must be of legal age in your province to gamble.
Licence and operator checklist
Tick what you managed to confirm yourself on the casino's site and in the regulator's register.
How do you verify a licence step by step?
- Scroll to the footer and note the licence number and the company name.
- Open the regulator's website directly, without using the link on the casino page, and search the register.
- Check that the company, the status and the licence type match.
- Be suspicious if the seal links to nowhere or to an image.
- In Ontario, also compare the operator with the list of registered operators on iGaming Ontario's site.
Which regulators will you meet?
| Regulator | Where it matters | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AGCO and iGaming Ontario | Ontario | Operators in the regulated market are licensed by the AGCO and registered with iGaming Ontario |
| Kahnawake Gaming Commission | Canada-wide offshore sites | A Mohawk territory regulator used by some operators, not a provincial licence |
| Malta Gaming Authority | International | A European regulator used by many global operators |
| Provincial lotteries | PlayNow, Espacejeux, PlayAlberta | Government-run platforms |
Sources: the AGCO, iGaming Ontario and Kahnawake Gaming Commission websites listed in the sources block below.
What this checklist cannot tell you
A licence does not guarantee that an operator pays quickly or that its terms are generous. It means a regulator has some oversight. Outside Ontario, many offshore operators serve Canadians under foreign or Kahnawake licences, which sit in a legal grey area. Read our regulation guide for context.
What to do next
If an operator passes the checklist, read the terms for bonuses and withdrawals, test with a small deposit and consider the full licence guide. If it fails, do not deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to play at a casino licensed outside Canada?
The law depends on the province and the operator. Ontario regulates private operators, while elsewhere provincial platforms are the only licensed option and offshore sites operate in a grey area. There is generally no penalty for players in practice, but you have less protection. Confirm with official sources and seek legal advice if unsure.
What is the iGaming Ontario register?
iGaming Ontario publishes a list of the operators and websites registered to offer online gambling in Ontario under AGCO standards. If a site targets Ontario players and is not on the list, it is not part of the regulated market. Check the list on the iGaming Ontario website.
Can I trust the licence seal on a casino site?
Not by itself. Seals can be copied. The reliable step is to take the licence number to the regulator's own website and confirm the holder, the status and the type of licence. If you cannot find the number, or the company name differs, treat the site as unverified.