Ontario's Unlicensed Casinos: Popular, But Risky Casinos!

Updated: Thurs. Aug 07, 2025 3 Minute Read

The popularity of Ontario's unlicensed casinos remains relatively high, despite access to regulated sites. For some players, the allure of crypto deposits, anonymous play, and a wider selection of games makes playing at unregulated casino sites worth the risks. The risks are quite real, however, as these sites don't operate under the jurisdiction of AGCO, iGaming Ontario, or any other provincial or federal regulators.

ontario unlicensed casinos — A Guide to Unlicensed Casinos in Ontario for 2025

Why Ontario Players Choose Offshore and Crypto Casinos

Unlike the regulated casino sites, unlicensed online casinos in Ontario operate from offshore locations and under a foreign gaming license. Still, some players find playing at such sites worth the associated risks.

For one, unregulated casino sites in Ontario accept crypto deposits and offer crypto payouts. Crypto transactions are fast and off the books, which some players use to avoid reporting their wins and losses.

Many offshore casinos in Ontario also allow for anonymous play, which means they don't ask players to verify their identities. While this may save the players some hassle, it also opens them up to a variety of risks and we don't recommend playing at no KYC casinos or those listed as no verification casinos. You have no comeback if anything goes wrong.

Finally, Ontario's unlicensed casinos often have a larger selection of games, as they don't require regulatory approvals. This means some sites feature over 10,000 casino games, some of which may be untested for fairness and randomness. The sites often give large player bonuses, which can be an appealing selling point for the players.

Understanding The Risks of Playing at Unlicensed Sites

While some players may find unlicensed casinos appealing, there are several reasons why playing at such sites poses significant risks. With no regulatory oversight, offshore sites tend to operate in unfair ways and treat their players poorly, while players are left with no recourse.

Here are just a few of the key risks associated with playing at unlicensed online casino sites in Ontario:

No Regulatory Protection: Offshore casinos like Brango Casino don't operate under a license by AGCO and iGaming Ontario. As such, the regulatory protections that exist at licensed sites simply don't exist.
Untested Games: Unlike AGCO regulated sites, offshore casinos often have games with RNGs that haven't been independently tested and fair gaming can't be guaranteed. Low RTPs are common and this can lead to you losing a lot over a short period of time.
Unfair Bonus Terms: Offshore casinos like BitStarz have huge welcome bonuses but the terms and conditions can come with wagering requirements or terms that are not very clear. A lot of players have reported issues with payouts even after they've cleared the wagering requirements.
Delayed Payments: Crypto gambling in Ontario promises fast payouts, which is what most Ontarians that use these sites are looking for. WinSpirit offers 30 minute cashouts, but you shouldn't take this as truth. A lot of crypto casinos accepting Ontario players have delayed payments and even voided winnings due to alleged breach of terms. Always test withdrawals with a small amount first to make sure there are no problems.
No Legal Recourse: When playing at AGCO licensed casinos you can escalate disputes and report sites to the AGCO if they don't adhere to the regulatory rules. Offshore sites like King Billy Casino, which has a Curacao gaming license might seem great but you have to remember that offshore regulators usually have very little interest in player complaints.
Underage Gambling: With no KYC checks at some offshore sites it makes underage gambling a problem. AGCO regulations state that players must be 19 years of age or older to create an account and play. KYC and ID verification are mandatory and often completed on sign up.

Tips for Staying Safe When Using Unlicensed Casinos

Players who decide to play at unlicensed online casinos in Ontario should be careful when doing so. We have prepared a short list of tips that can help any player stay safe when playing at an unregulated site:

Due Diligence and Research: Before playing at any offshore casino, you should do some research. Search for player testimonies and reviews, and don't play at sites with many complaints about delayed payments, bonus scams, and other similar issues.
Careful Bankroll Management: If you decide to play at an unlicensed casino, you should never make a large deposit at once. Manage your bankroll carefully and never keep a large amount of funds in an offshore casino balance.
Caution with Crypto Transactions: Crypto transactions are generally fairly safe, but you should be careful to send your coins to the right address, as sending them to the wrong address can void them forever.
Read the Fine Print: Offshore casinos often have a lot of rules and conditions that are only written in fine print, especially when it comes to bonuses. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the bonus terms in full before playing.
Legal Awareness: Always be cautious of local and federal laws and make sure you are not breaking any of them by playing on a particular platform.

Frequently Asked Questions About Playing on Unlicensed Casinos

Are unlicensed casinos legal in Ontario?
While unlicensed casinos are not regulated by any provincial regulators, playing at such sites is not explicitly illegal and many operate within the grey area.
Can I use cryptocurrency at Ontario casinos?
A number of international casinos for Ontario players accept crypto deposits and offer crypto withdrawals, but AGCO does not regulate these casinos.
What risks do unlicensed casinos pose?
There are many Ontario online gambling risks associated with unlicensed sites, including loss of funds, inability to resolve disputes, unfair games, and misleading bonus terms and conditions.
How can I protect myself when gambling online?
Make sure to do your due diligence on any site you plan to play at, read the fine print, and only make limited deposits into any offshore casino balance at one time.
Why do players still choose unlicensed casinos?
Some players choose unlicensed casinos for the ability to deposit in cryptocurrency, others for the ability to play anonymously, while some enjoy the wider selection of games and bigger bonuses.