PlayOLG Casino Review
Your Best Bet for Online Casino Action?
In a world full of choices for online casino players, how does OLG compare with the competition?
Can a government-owned online casino that only accepts Ontario residents as players compete with the Global operators? Are OLG players getting the best consumer value?
Looking at the big picture, one can conclude that OLG players get a lot of bang for their buck, although not necessarily in their bank accounts.
But if you live in Ontario and believe what goes around comes around, OLG has great Karma.
What was analyzed at OLG
- Is OLG’s game selection large enough and fair enough?
- Is OLG Legal and safe?
- How easy is it to use OLG’s site?
- How reliable are OLG’s Payment Methods?
- Is OLG’s Customer service helpful?
- What Awards is OLG proud to have?
- How is OLG better than the others?
Is the OLG Game Selection Big Enough For You?
GAME | QUANTITY | PROVIDERS |
---|---|---|
SLOTS | 140+ | Blueprint, IGT, Everi, SG Digital |
CARD GAMES | 12+ | IGT |
BLACKJACK | 8+ | IGT |
ROULETTE | 4+ | IGT |
LIVE GAMES | 6+ | Evolution |
Plenty of Slots to choose from
Considering the international competition and the fact that OLG is still their ‘kicking-off’ stage OLG still features a pretty decent profile – offering nearly 150 games in the Slots catalogue.
OLG slots are easy to find and play in the desktop version and App. The RTP and other game details can be found by clicking the title info button. As a provincially owned online casino, OLG players can take comfort in the fact that OLG is regularly audited by gaming regulators and uses Random Number Generation (RNG) software to assure fairness.
The selection of Poker games
With a selection of twenty poker titles, four of which are video poker, OLG supplies the necessary minimum to poker players. Texas Hold ‘Em, Five Card Stud and Three Card Poker are all available. The live casino offers an Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em game, the solitary choice in that format at the moment.
The RTP details can be found in each title’s overview, including Live Casino.
The selection of Blackjack games
The eight Blackjack titles include the popular ‘Poker &Pairs’ variation of the game and also offer players a choice to play a multi-handed game.
Classic Blackjack is what the majority of players are looking for and OLG provides it. As with all of the table games offered by OLG, the RTP can be found in the title’s overview.
The selection of Baccarat games and variants
What selection? Baccarat players take heed. Don’t expect to find Chemin de Fer, EZ Baccarat or No Commission Baccarat offered by OLG.
Aside from a single Baccarat (Punto Banco) title, a solitary live casino game (also Punto Banco) is available. Fortunately, both offer the attractive RTPs Baccarat players expect.
Hopefully, OLG will make an effort to attract this group with the addition of popular titles.
The selection of Roulette games and variants
Enough to drive a car, unless it needs to be steered. That’s what four wheels get Roulette players at OLG. A saving grace is the ‘Original Roulette’ title that offers a European single-zero wheel and a decent RTP of 97.3%.
Players can expect the same RTP from the two live casino roulette games.
The selection of Game Shows and Dice Games
OLG simply isn’t there yet. These offerings could become available as OLG signs on with more game providers and continue to build its library of casino games.
While still in the early stages of expansion, OLG nearly doubled its membership in 2021 with this ongoing strategy. This growth result should underline OLG’s commitment to becoming a world-class online casino.
Is OLG Legal and Safe?
It’s all in the name. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is the provincial government entity that regulates casinos in Ontario.
Players can trust in the fact that the province backs the casino financially, guarantees player winnings and operates according to law.
Licences | Province of Ontario, Canada |
Responsible gambling tools | 👍 OLG subscribes to PlaySmart |
Transparency | 👍 OLG is government audited and guarantees consumer protection |
Licensed only in Ontario
PlayOLG is the only online casino with a license from the Government of Ontario. It is also government-owned and thus ensures the utmost security to its players.
Responsible gambling tools include fast Self-exclusion
OLG is subscribed to PlaySmart – a dynamic Responsible Gambling software suite that enables players to monitor their playing habits, learn about the risks of gambling and act on them.
Self-exclusion is a valuable option for players who need to take a break from a habit that could be in danger of becoming an addiction.
RTP and personal data policies are fairly transparent
OLG publishes the RTP in every game overview. Simply clicking on the title of any game displays this information as well as the rules and playing guidance.
OLG follows Canadian national data privacy laws and as a provincial government entity is scrupulous about enforcement. Players can conveniently find and review privacy policies in the main website directory.
How user-friendly is the OLG website?
The OLG website is easy to navigate once players pass the lottery homepages and enter the casino. Graphics are visually appealing, uncrowded and easy to sort through.
The website feels light and flexible in response and offers simplified visuals that enhance browsing. Actual game-play features consistently meet expectations.
DESKTOP VERSION | 👍 / Straightforward navigation, lean casino menu that is easy to access |
MOBILE ON THE WEB | 👍 / Mirrors desktop version |
MOBILE APPS | 👍 / Easy to navigate, quality graphics, lean menus that are responsive |
- Desktop
The OLG desktop experience is positive overall. The visual design is uncluttered, appealing and informative without needing descriptions or excess guidance. The button menu presentation is self-explanatory, minimal and doesn’t interfere with graphics presentation.
- Mobile on the web
The OLG website is calibrated for mobile access and offers the same desktop experience to players with phones and/or tablets. Any speed issues would likely be the result of the device software or internet connection quality.
- Mobile app
The OLG app is geared more for lottery than casinos however, the game sites are readily accessible after weeding through the various ticket notifications and menus. The gameplay is quick and streamlined, as fast as the handset will allow.
How reliable are the Payment Methods at OLG?
Payment Method | Type | Min. Withdrawal | Average Deposit Time | Average Withdrawal Time (once processed) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Visa Debit | Debit card | $2.00 | Instant | 2-4 days |
Mastercard Debit | Debit card | $2.00 | Instant | 2-4 days |
Interac Online Deposit | Interac | $2.00 | Instant | 2-4 days |
Visa | Credit card | $2.00 | Instant | 2-4 days |
Mastercard | Credit card | $2.00 | Instant | 2-4 days |
As a provincial government-owned entity, OLG offers standard payment options for its marketplace. Payments are accepted in Canadian dollars only and players must hold verified accounts with (one of the) major Canadian banks.
Retail credit cards issued by operators other than the banks are often excluded as payment options. This is in most cases because of the restrictions those cards have on gambling sites in their user agreements.
Making a financial transaction with OLG is seamless and worry-free once players have completed the account verification process.
Is Customer Service at OLG Helpful?
Details | Time | ||
---|---|---|---|
Telephone | 👍 | 1 855 978 7529 | 08.00 – Midnight |
👍 | www.olg.ca/en/help.html | 24 h | |
Live Chat | 👍 | Available | 24/7 |
Languages | 5 | English/French |
OLG deserves high marks for customer service. Customer relations personnel are well trained, efficient and friendly. Assistance is offered in both English and French and is available 24/7 through Live Chat.
What Awards is OLG proud to have?
EVENT | AWARD | YEAR |
---|---|---|
WLA – World Lottery Association | Best Overall Responsible Gambling Program (PlaySmart) | 2014 & 2018 |
OLG is the only Lottery and Gaming Operator in the World to have won this award twice. The WLA recognizes excellence in Responsible Gambling from among members representing over eighty countries.
As a government agency with stakeholders made up of the residents of Ontario, OLG’s world leadership in Responsible Gambling is the best award that they can present to the community.
Conclusion – How is OLG better than the others?
As an online casino, OLG remains a small fish in a large pond that is gradually understanding it needs to grow to compete. The site remains Lottery-centric and needs to build the casino offering significantly in order to hold its own with the best international operators.
Yet OLG is owned by the residents of Ontario and drives all profits back into the province. For OLG players, this means that what goes around comes around.
A loss at the Blackjack table might contribute to a new community soccer pitch for youth sports. A Fiver dropped on Slots may help with the costs of a new medical clinic. For Ontario players, residents and OLG, that’s great Karma.