Author:
Theo Morgan
Last Updated:
06/26/2022
Topic:
Review
Experiences:
From MLB to NHL, Theo always has the latest scoop
Topic:
Review
Experiences:
From MLB to NHL, Theo always has the latest scoop
Loading ...
Today we’re looking at exactly how the OLG Ontario online casino and sportsbook works for players in the province. Our aim is to provide the most principled, fair and honest online gambling reviews.
Our experts have tested out the OLG Ontario app for you, and have given it a fair and honest rating. Additionally, we’ll look at the strengths and weaknesses of this site that Ontarians are now enjoying.
OLG Ontario: Pros & Cons
- Government-run site
- Sports betting and casino
- Live betting available
- Safe and legit
- Limited casino software providers
Is OLG legal in Ontario? 100% yes!
OLG is run by the Ontario provincial lottery and became the first legal online gambling provider in Ontario in August 2021. It was for a time the only legal gambling site in Ontario until spring 2022 when private operators were able to be granted iGaming Ontario license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The emergence of a private sector definitely doesn’t mean that the OLG’s betting platforms have been pushed out of the way though – far from it.
Table of Content
Both the OLG casino and sportsbook can be accessed via the main lottery site, which is easy to navigate and is well-designed overall. The sportsbook and casino platforms provided by OLG have two very distinctive individual looks and feels.
The OLG sportsbook is a separate site that looks every bit the same as a proper online sportsbook should. It has a dark gray and black background with green and white text to give it that sportsfield feel. Finding the betting markets and placing a bet is as easy as it possibly can be.
When it comes to the casino, the design is far brighter, as they have opted for a colorful design that’s largely made up of red, white and blue. Finding the game that you want is made easy via the large and clear icons twinned with the intelligently created filtered search function. Overall, this is one of the best betting sites in Ontario for a number of reasons – more of which we’ll check out below.
OLG Ontario app – For betting on the move
As well as offering one of the best online gambling sites in Ontario, OLG also has two downloadable apps available for both Apple and Android users. Players will be able to play casino games in the main OLG app, which can also be used to purchase lottery tickets and play Keno.
There is a separate OLG Ontario sportsbook app, called Proline+, which is the official name of OLG’s sports betting brand. The sports betting app offers users everything that the website does and facilitates on-the-move betting brilliantly.
When using both of the apps, we experienced very little in terms of lagging and found the overall performance to be of a high standard. For those who don’t want to take up precious memory space on their phone, the website has also been optimized for mobile use.
How to open an OLG Ontario sportsbook account – Step-by-step
The sign-up process for the OLG online casino and sports betting platform is pretty straightforward and involves filling out a form. Those who already have an OLG lottery account will be able to skip some of the stages. Once the registration process has been completed, the account will need to be activated via email.
The only part that can take a little bit of time is verification, which can take up to five business days and longer in rare cases. Users will be able to play in the casino and place bets in the sportsbook before their account has been verified, but the verification process will need to be completed before funds can be withdrawn. Our DraftKings Ontario review also takes a look at how to set up an account, and both are very user-friendly and straightforward.
When it comes to depositing money into an OLG account, there is the choice between credit card, debit card, and Interac. There is no stated minimum and maximum deposit limit, and players can make up to ten deposits in a single day. In order to maximize online privacy and safety, we recommend using Interac. We understand that these deposit options may be limited for some, and it’s true that private operators generally offer more. Check out the Royal Panda Ontario online casino as an example.
Withdrawing funds from an OLG account can only be done via EFT, which means that players do have to link their bank account up to their OLGC account. Player bank accounts will therefore need to be verified first, which involves providing some documentation and waiting around five business days. Once that’s done, all future withdrawals should be processed within three to five business days.
The quickest way to get in touch with the OLG team is via the live chat, which is available via a widget on every page of the site and in the app. The live chat will open in a separate window and players will be communicating with a bot at first. However, the simplest issues should be addressed easily here.
Those who want to speak with a human customer service agent, are best advised to use the OLG Ontario phone number. Both the live chat and the phone helpline are available from 8am – 7pm (ET) during the week and 8am – 5pm (ET) on Saturdays and Sundays. As we found in our LeoVegas Ontario sportsbook review, there’s also a very helpful FAQ section that we would definitely recommend checking out before contacting customer service.
When it comes to questions of licensing and security, OLG is at the top of our Ontario online casino list. As OLG is government-owned there’s absolutely no question of this site being 100% legal and able to operate in Ontario as it’s run by the same entity that made the online gambling laws in the first place.
We found that OLG is airtight and has all the necessary encryption technology. The verification process, while long and a bit of a drag, has been designed to further protect players. They also have a strict privacy and security policy that they appear to take quite seriously, and that can only benefit customers.
As it is a government-run site, OLG doesn’t have any form of VIP or loyalty program, the likes of which can be found in a regular online casino. Instead what they do offer is access to exclusive VIP tables in the live casino.
Play OLG Sports Betting
There are a total of 11 sports to bet on with Proline+, the OLG Ontario sportsbook. While this might not be as many as one would find in a larger, privately-own sportsbook, all of the right boxes are still ticked. There’s a focus on the NHL and hockey betting markets, but bettors can also venture to sports further afield and bet on the likes of UEFA Champions League soccer. Within each sport, there are all of the usual single-game wagers including moneyline, spreads, totals, and plenty of other props bets.
When it first launched OLG’s sportsbook essentially had a monopoly on online sports betting in Ontario. As a result the odds weren’t the best initially, but the arrival of competition is driving them in the right direction. The odds are always displayed in decimal format and cannot be changed.
The minimum limit per wager is just $0.10, which should certainly suit casual change bettors. At the higher end, the maximum payout for most betting markets tends to be just under $70,000 but may be higher with longer odds bets. If the desired wager will result in a payout above the maximum, the betting slip will automatically readjust the wager to suit the maximum payout.
OLG’s sports betting platform might not be pushing the boundaries or grabbing any headlines. What it does offer is a safe, legit, and well-designed sportsbook that should suit the majority of bettors. For players happy enough betting on the likes of hockey, football and boxing, then this sportsbook will do more than enough for. Those seeking more niche and exotic sports may have to look elsewhere though.
Play OLG Casino
There are just five software developers that provide games to the OLG Ontario online casino platform. While this may appear small in comparison to some other online casinos, it is normal for state lottery-run online casinos to use a smaller selection of providers. The five software game providers for the OLG platform are Everi, IGT, SG Digital, AGS, and Blueprint.
Although the list of software developers is small, the range of games is surprisingly large and stretches into the hundreds. As well as a range of slots games, there is also find video poker, table games and more. And while most may not be overly familiar with the software developers, the games with names like Wheel of Fortune and the Goonies should be instantly recognizable to most.
A nice little bonus here is that OLG does actually offer a small, but fun and effective live casino, which is a rarity for state-run gambling sites. There is the choice between playing blackjack, roulette, Texas hold-em, and baccarat with live dealers and other players.
As is the case with most online casinos, the limits in the OLG online casino differ between games. When it comes to slot games, the minimum bet tends to be between $0.10 and $1.00, while the maximum is between $100 and $200. For table games, the maximum limit is stretched to around the $500 mark.
While the casino definitely isn’t the headline act here, it certainly isn’t a bad product and has a lot to offer. We wouldn’t recommend signing up solely for the casino, but it makes a great companion for the sportsbook for those looking for a little variety.
Being state-owned, OLG might not seem like the most glamorous or exciting option when it comes to online betting in Ontario. However, especially when it comes to the sportsbook, the site and app truly have both been designed with the look and feel of a classic gambling site. Most importantly though, what OLG can offer is a guaranteed safe place to gamble online and in-person in Ontario.
4.
5.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Post your own Review