1. Not checking the licence
A logo in the footer proves nothing. Copy the licence number and look it up on the regulator's own register; the domain listed there should match the one you play on. In Ontario, the only legal option is a casino registered with the AGCO, and iGaming Ontario lists them.
Elsewhere in Canada, offshore licences differ a lot. The Malta Gaming Authority runs a player support unit; Anjouan and Costa Rica offer little recourse.
2. Skipping the terms
The general terms, not the bonus terms, set weekly withdrawal caps, pending times, dormant account fees and when the casino can close an account. Read the payments section before you deposit. Our terms and conditions overview lists the clauses to find.
3. Misreading bonuses
A $1,000 package at 40x wagering on a 100% match means $40,000 in bets across its deposits. Most players never finish it, and a single bet over the maximum can void what they have won. Check the wagering, the max bet and the time limit, and skip offers you cannot realistically clear.
4. Playing without a budget
Decide the amount you can lose this month before you register, and set it as a deposit limit in the account. New casinos are required by their licence to offer limits; if you cannot find them, treat that as a warning.
5. Ignoring RTP and volatility
Slots publish their RTP in the information screen. A 94% slot costs half again as much per $100 bet as a 96% one. High-volatility slots pay rarely and big; with a small bankroll they often end a session early.
6. Leaving verification to the end
Casinos verify identity before the first withdrawal. Upload ID and proof of address when you register, and use a payment method in your own name. See why new casinos ask for ID.
7. Not using support or help
Ask support a question before you deposit and note how fast and how clearly it answers. If play stops being fun, use the casino's time-out or self-exclusion and talk to someone: ConnexOntario answers 24 hours a day on 1-866-531-2600, and our gambling control tips list other tools.