Avoid Ontario iGaming: Lower RTPs Make Betting a Bad Bet
The Ontario iGaming market may be boasting impressive figures, reporting a staggering $18.5 billion in quarterly handle for the second quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year, but don’t let the flashy numbers fool you—this so-called "most competitive market in North America" is a minefield for players.
While it’s true that bettors in Ontario wagered more this quarter than in the previous one, the reality is that many of these online platforms have reduced their RTP (Return to Player) percentages, making them far less favorable for players. The marginal increase in revenue for operators, such as Pinnacle Ontario Sportsbook, which reported $737 million, does little to hide the fact that players are ultimately losing more than they’re winning.
Ontario iGaming's executive director, Martha Otton, may have celebrated these figures during a panel discussion at the Global Gaming Conference, but the lack of transparency regarding the RTPs for various online casinos is a major concern. Without a clear breakdown of how much players can expect to win, it's difficult to see this as a truly competitive environment.
As Otton prepares to retire, we can only hope that future leadership will prioritize player fairness over operator profits. For now, players should think twice before engaging in this rapidly growing market. With reduced RTPs and a lack of transparency, it’s clear that your odds of walking away a winner are slim. Save your money and stay away from Ontario iGaming!
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EdwardsPatricia2 Come on, Bonanza is really the best, it has saved my bank many times. If it weren't for it, I would have been sitting in the red for a long time. But the music is already boring, it's really annoying, I always turn it off.
CunningHawk People have so much free time - to lose at the casino, watch streams and go to work to earn money for the casino. Amazing.
LisaTheTrustworthy Fallsview is total crap! I was there, queues everywhere, the staff is rude. And the prices in the restaurant are just outrageous! I don't recommend it to anyone.
CharlesThomas No surprise here—gambling keeps breaking records because it’s everywhere now. From online casinos to sports betting, it feels like everyone’s cashing in except the players!
dorothycarter4t It’s always the same story—big money talks, and everyone else suffers. Gambling ads flood every sporting event, and now the government can’t even agree on basic reforms? Disappointing but not surprising.
BettyTheBrilliant While the levy is a step in the right direction for tackling gambling harms, we need to make sure operators don’t just pass the cost onto players by lowering RTPs. It should be a win-win for both the industry and consumers.
AdamsJennifer Finally, a use for all those meme coins I bought on a whim! Turning them into USDT and hitting the slots at BitStarz sounds like a win-win to me.
HelenTheKindhearted 4Kasino and Betcoin seem to keep up the standards, but Sportaza and Dream.Bet in the blacklist? These scammers are at it again.
AllenBetty9 You look at everything so seriously. Well, streamers are streamers, what's there to worry about, there are thousands of them
BrianTheZealous Come on, seriously? I've been playing their slots for 3 years now, I would never have thought that they had such a dark past. And now they are truly one of the best providers.
CharlesTheSpirited Wildz hosting an esports tournament feels like a sneaky way to market their casino to younger audiences. Reduced RTP rates and now targeting gamers? Hard pass for me. Thanks for the heads-up about this shady tactic!
CarolTheCunning I was so excited when I heard about The Walking Dead slot, but if the RTP isn’t fair, what’s the point? Fans deserve better than flashy branding with poor payouts.
I have a problem with withdrawing money from the Jackpot Hunter casino
janepiterson Hey there! As a big fan of online gaming, I spent ...
Celebrating big numbers is meaningless without transparency in RTP. Players deserve better, and right now, Ontario iGaming isn't delivering.
Great, they’ve got high handles and revenue, but where’s the player benefit? Until they start prioritizing RTP, I’ll keep my bets elsewhere.
It's hard to feel excited about these numbers when operators are making money while players are left with crumbs. Ontario iGaming is not worth the risk!
This is just another case of flashy statistics hiding the truth. Lower RTPs mean higher losses for players. I’m definitely staying away from Ontario iGaming!
All these impressive numbers mean nothing if the RTPs are low. I’d rather save my money than throw it into a market that’s designed to profit off players!