Online Casinos vs Physical Casinos: The Pros and Cons

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10.3 REACTIVATION OF A DORMANT PLAYER ACCOUNT

OLG will retain information relating to a Dormant Account in the iGaming System in accordance with its record retention policies. If a Player Account has become a Dormant Account and is locked, the Player may thereafter contact Player Support to request the reactivation of the Player Account.  If a Dormant Account is reactivated, it will have the same account details as those which existed as of the date the Player Account became a Dormant Account.  In the event that any of the relevant information has changed (for example, the Player Contact Information), the Player will be solely responsible for updating such information and complying with the terms and conditions of this Agreement which are then in effect.

Why do people gamble if the house always wins?

People gamble for fun and because there is a possibility, however small, of winning some money. Most bettors are aware that the house holds an edge. However, they often misunderstand just how big that edge actually is.

Casinos are crafty, giving players just enough hope to keep them betting. Ultimately, the longer you bet, the bigger the house advantage becomes.

2021 Annual Report

View the 2021 saha Annual Report

Online casino bonus — existing customer offers

Most online casinos offer promotions for existing customers too.

These range from reload offers and free spins to double bonuses and rollovers.

In general, terms and conditions for existing customer promotions are less restrictive than a new customer bonus.

Still, it’s important to read all associated terms and conditions to any existing customer bonus.

4.1 ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER A PLAYER ACCOUNT

Only Players are allowed to play Draw Based Lottery Games Played Online, Pay-to-Play Games through OLG.ca.  An individual who desires to become a Player (an “Intending Player”) must satisfy the following criteria, as determined by OLG in its sole discretion:

1. the Intending Player must not already be a Player.  A Player is only entitled to have one Player Account.  The registration or attempted registration of more than one Player Account will constitute a material breach of this Agreement;
2. the Intending Player must be at least 18 years of age.  Only Players who are at least 19 years of age will be able to play Pay-to-Play Games, Play-for-Free Games.  All Players who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to play Draw-Based Lottery Games Played Online;
3. the Intending Player must reside in Ontario; 
4. the Intending Player must be physically located in the Province of Ontario each time the Player plays any of the Games (including when signing up for Future Game Transactions);
5. the Intending Player must not be an Excluded Individual;
6. the Intending Player must be an individual who is acting on their own behalf.  The Intending Player must not be acting for or on behalf of anyone other than themselves, whether as an agent or otherwise; and
7. the Intending Player must submit true, complete and accurate information when providing registration information.
8. in the case of Sports Betting Games Played Online, the Intending Player must comply with the provisions of paragraphs 5(a), (b), (c) and (d) of Section 14.5 each time the Intending Player plays any of the Games.

An Intending Player who does not satisfy all of the foregoing criteria is not eligible to register an account with OLG.ca or to become a Player. OLG, in its sole discretion, may require additional information or documentation from an Intending Player or Player prior to completing the registration of a Player Account or at any time thereafter, including for the purposes of confirming a Player's identity or other Player Contact Information and in order to investigate any other suspected breaches of this Agreement (including any suspected fraudulent or dishonest activity). A failure of the Intending Player to satisfy any of the foregoing will constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

OLG will disclose an Intending Player's registration information to third-party service providers for the purposes of authenticating some or all of the registration information that has been provided to OLG by an Intending Player and to otherwise confirm that an Intending Player has satisfied the foregoing criteria and is eligible to register a Player Account.  In addition, OLG may similarly disclose information in respect of a Player from time to time for the purposes of (i) confirming the Player's continued eligibility to maintain a Player Account, (ii) investigating any suspected breaches of this Agreement (including any suspected fraudulent or dishonest activity), and (iii) exercising any of OLG's other rights described in this Agreement or in any of the other documents incorporated in this Agreement by reference pursuant to Section 3.

By providing any information or documentation to OLG, the Intending Player (or the Player, as the case may be) consents to the use and disclosure of such information by OLG for any and all of the purposes contemplated in this Agreement or in any of the other documents incorporated in this Agreement by reference pursuant to Section 3.  Please see the OLG Internet Gaming Privacy and Cookie Policy for additional information regarding the collection, use, disclosure and storage of personal information by OLG.

5.2 SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS:

1. OLG offers two types of subscription options, as follows:the “consecutive draw” option, which provides a Player the option to automatically purchase a ticket for a designated number of consecutive draws in a Draw-Based Lottery Game Played Online in accordance with the OLG Rules Respecting iGaming Lottery Games. The number of consecutive draws available varies from a minimum of two to the maximum number presented to the Player on OLG.ca; and
2. the “never miss a draw” option, which provides a Player with the option to automatically purchase a ticket for an indefinite number of draws in a Draw-Based Lottery Game Played Online in accordance with the OLG Rules Respecting iGaming Lottery Games.

7.1 METHODS OF WITHDRAWING UNUTILIZED FUNDS

Subject to certain exceptions, withdrawals of Unutilized Funds from a Player Account will be processed by means of an electronic bank transfer (in Canadian dollars only) to a bank account that is registered by the Player and which OLG has verified and approved, to its satisfaction, is held by the Player at a bank or other financial institution acceptable to OLG in Canada.  A Player is not permitted to designate a bank account for such purposes that is not held by the Player (alone or together with other persons).

The Player acknowledges and agrees that:

1. OLG will require the Player to submit documentation (by electronic upload via OLG.ca or as OLG may otherwise instruct) that, in OLG's sole determination, evidences the Player's authority over the bank account that is to be registered.  For example, OLG may require a copy of a void cheque or a bank account statement, in either case which includes the Player's name, civic address and the bank account number, all of which must match the information associated with the Player Account that is stored in OLG's iGaming System;
2. by submitting such documentation to OLG, the Player will be deemed to represent and warrant to OLG that such documentation is a true, accurate and complete copy of the original; and
3. if the Player registers a bank account that is held jointly with one or more other persons, withdrawals of Unutilized Funds from their Player Account will be paid into such joint account and, therefore, may be accessed by the other account holders.

A Player will not be entitled to specify any other payment method or currency of payment for a withdrawal.  For example, a Player will not be able to withdraw Unutilized Funds to a credit card even if the Player used a credit card to deposit funds with OLG for purposes of funding the notional balance of their Player Account.  OLG, in its sole discretion, may from time to time return Unutilized Funds to a Player by other appropriate means.

Hollywood Casino Bangor

The Hollywood Casino Bangor is Maine’s Northern Casino and is located in the home of Stephen King, Bangor, Maine.  The hotel features 148 guest rooms, four suites and a gym.

This property is home to roughly 800 combined video poker, video keno and slot machines.  In addition, this establishment houses the state’s only live poker room, which consists of four tables.  Their website states that they deal No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha and Seven-Card Stud based on player demand.  The website states that it is open from 10a-3a, but if it is anything like other local casinos around the country, don’t be surprised to come in late and find it closed because there were no players at the time…particularly weekdays.

The property also features a table games pit consisting of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, High Card Flush and Three-Card Poker.  We recommend calling ahead for usual times of table operation for anything aside from Blackjack. For example, as of the time of this writing, their website says that Craps is offered from 11a-3a.

This establishment is home to three eateries, which consist of the Epic Buffet, the Take 2 Snack Bar and the Hops House 99, which is a bar that serves traditional (American) pub food.

Aesthetically, if you’ve seen one Hollywood Casino, then you’ve kind of seen them all and this falls into that mold.

As with most Hollywood Casinos, the players club for this one is MyChoice and Marquee Rewards.  This property is also the home of Bangor Raceway and hosts live harness racing from May to November as well as year-round simulcast betting.

Online casino apps vs. desktop

As previously mentioned, you can access these online casino games on a computer. Actually, that’s the best method if you want to be able to play the entire catalog of titles. Some casinos don’t make their entire selections available on their apps. At the same time, you can’t top the mobile casino app for ease and mobility.

The geolocation technology on your device verifies that you are indeed within the state when you play. So, when you install an online casino app in NY, make sure you give permission for them to use your location. If you elect to play on your computer, you’ll likely need to install geolocation software to facilitate this.

2 DEFINITIONS

The following terms have the respective meanings specified below, and grammatical variations of such terms have corresponding meanings:

“AGCO” means the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the successors thereof;

“AGCO Standards” means the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming and the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming: Lottery Sector, as prepared and issued by the Registrar of the AGCO, as amended or replaced from time to time;

“AGCO iGaming Standards” means the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming;

“Agreement” means this Player Agreement – Terms and Conditions of Use for OLG.ca, as amended or replaced from time to time by OLG;

“Bonus Funds” means a notional amount corresponding to Canadian dollars that is loaded into a Player Account by OLG. Bonus Funds, subject to the applicable Bonus Funds Terms, can be used by a Player to play Pay-to-Play Games or Draw-Based Lottery Games Played Online, or both, without charge to the Player;

“Bonus Funds Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 8.1.  Subject to Section 3 of this Agreement, the Bonus Funds Terms are incorporated into and form part of this Agreement;

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, a statutory holiday in Ontario or any day on which banks are not open for business in Toronto, Ontario;

“Chargeback” has the meaning specified in Section 6.4;

“Closed Account” means a Player Account that is described in Section 11.1;

“Close” or “Closure” means the act of a Player closing their Player Account as described in Section 11.1;

“Deactivate” or “Deactivation” means that a Player Account has been set to a Deactivated Account as described in Section 12.2;

“Deactivated Account” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2;

“Direct Pay” means the online payment for the purchase of Draw-Based Lottery Games Played Online (subject to system availability), executed through the permitted payment card of the Player without the need to fund the Player Account, rather than through the use of Unutilized Funds and/or Bonus Funds.

“Direct Pay Subscription Terms” means the terms and conditions applicable to a subscription for tickets for a Draw-Based Lottery Game Played Online made through Direct Pay in accordance with Section 5.

“Dormant Account” means Player Account that is described in Section 10.2 but does not include the Player Account of an individual registered for My PlayBreak;

“Downtime” has the meaning specified in Section 15.2;

“Draw-Based Lottery Game Played Online” means any of the games made available through OLG.ca from time to time that: (i) constitutes a “lottery scheme” for purposes of the Criminal Code (Canada), (ii) requires the Player to select a set of numbers or other play elements (whether chosen by the Player and/or randomly generated), and (iii) has its outcome or result being determined by a draw, but does not include any Pay-to-Play Game or any Play-for-Free Game.

“Error” has the meaning specified in Section 15.1;

“Error Funds” has the meaning specified in Section 15.1;

“Event” has the meaning specified in the applicable Pay-To-Play Game Rules;

“Excluded Individual” means an individual who is not permitted to register an account with OLG.ca or, if the individual already has a Player Account, to maintain that Player Account in an activated state, including:

1. an individual who does not satisfy all of the eligibility criteria that are described in Section 4.1 of this Agreement;
2. an individual who has been excluded from OLG.ca by court order or any applicable law or regulation or any rule or policy enacted pursuant thereto, including the AGCO Standards;
3. an individual who is prohibited from accessing a gaming site or playing lottery schemes under Standard 3.01 or Standard 3.01.1 of the AGCO iGaming Standards, or any other relevant provision of the AGCO iGaming Standards or AGCO Standards, from time to time;
4. an individual who has registered for self-exclusion from a Casino (as defined in the AGCO Gaming Standards) under My PlayBreak, for the duration of their My PlayBreak term (see the Responsible Gambling and My PlayBreak Policy for further information);
5. an individual registered for My PlayBreak;
6. an individual who is an employee of OLG or who, by contract or another arrangement with OLG, is prohibited from registering an account with OLG.ca; and
7. an individual who is an employee of an “iGaming vendor” or “an iGaming entity” (as such terms are defined in the OLG Rules Respecting iGaming Lottery Games as amended or replaced from time to time).

“FINTRAC” means the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and the successors thereof;

“Future Game Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 5.3;

“Games” means, collectively, Draw-Based Lottery Games Played Online, Pay-to-Play Games and Play-for-Free Games;

“iGaming System” means the system that is used by OLG for the purpose of registering and administering Player Accounts, facilitating the playing of Games by Players, and paying prizes;

“Inactive Account” means a Player Account that is described in Section 10.1 but does not include the Player Account of an individual registered for My PlayBreak;

“Intending Player” means an individual described in Section 4.1;

“Live Stream” or “Live Streaming” means the real-time or near real-time audio-visual stream of a specific sporting match, game, competition, tournament or special event which a Player can access by meeting the eligibility requirements set out in Section 4.5;

“Lottery Game Rules” means any terms, conditions, explanations, rules and procedures, including the prize structure, issued by OLG or the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation from time to time (in addition to this Agreement) which apply to a Draw-Based Lottery Game Played Online and which are designated by OLG as Lottery Game Rules.  Subject to Section 3, the Lottery Game Rules are incorporated into and form part of this Agreement;

“Mobile Applications” means any application developed by or on behalf of OLG that Prospective Players and Players can install on their mobile device, such as mobile phone or tablet, and through which select Games are made available to eligible Players from time to time;

“Multi-Factor Authentication” has the meaning specified in Section 4.4.

“My PlayBreak” has the meaning specified in the Responsible Gambling and My PlayBreak Policy;

“OLG” means Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the successors thereof;

“OLG.ca” means OLG's websites and Mobile Applications through which select Games are made available to eligible Players from time to time;

“OLG Internet Gaming Privacy and Cookie Policy” means the OLG.ca cookie and privacy policy, as amended or replaced by OLG from time to time.  Subject to Section 3, the OLG Internet Gaming Privacy and Cookie Policy is incorporated into and forms part of this Agreement;

“OLG IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 14.3;

“Pay-to-Play Game” means any of the games or products made available through OLG.ca from time to time that: (i) constitutes a “lottery scheme” for purposes of the Criminal Code (Canada), (ii) requires the Player to place a bet or make a wager as a condition to entering the game, and (iii) affords the Player a chance to win a Prize but does not include any Draw-Based Lottery Game Played Online or any Play-for-Free Game.  Examples of Pay-to-Play Games include Sports Betting Games Played Online and casino style games such as roulette and slots;

“Pay-to-Play Game Rules” means the terms, conditions, explanations, rules and procedures (for example, how a Prize is won, the value and odds of winning Prizes for an individual Pay-to-Play Game, the Prize tiers within a Pay-to-Play Game) issued by OLG from time to time (in addition to this Agreement) which apply to a particular Pay-to-Play Game and which are designated by OLG as Pay-to-Play Game Rules.  Subject to Section 3, the Pay-to-Play Game Rules are incorporated into and form part of this Agreement;

“Player” means an individual (for certainty, other than an individual who is or becomes an Excluded Individual) who has successfully registered a Player Account that has not been Suspended, Deactivated, or Closed;

“Player Account” means a Player's account of notional funds corresponding to Canadian dollars that is maintained on the iGaming System, and also includes the Player's registration information, deposit and withdrawal transaction history, and game-play information that the Player can access through OLG.ca from time to time;

“Player Contact Information” means a Player's contact information that is associated with a Player Account and stored in the iGaming System at the relevant time including, for example, the Player's name, e-mail address, mailing address and telephone number;

“Player-Initiated Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1;

“Play-for-Free Game” means any of the free games made available through OLG.ca from time to time that contain some the features of a “lottery scheme” for purposes of the Criminal Code (Canada) but do not afford a chance to win a Prize or require any payment to play;

“Player Support” means OLG.ca's customer support services, which can be contacted in accordance with Section 18.1;

“Prize” means a prize won by a Player from a Game in accordance with the applicable Lottery Game Rules or Pay-to-Play Game Rules;

“Prospective Player” means any individual who visits OLG.ca but is not a Player;

“Responsible Gambling and My PlayBreak Policy” means the OLG responsible gambling policy relating specifically to OLG.ca, as amended or replaced by OLG from time to time. Subject to Section 3, the Responsible Gambling and My PlayBreak Policy is incorporated into and forms part of this Agreement;

“Sports Betting Games Played Online” means Pay-to-Play Games made available through OLG’s online sports betting platform.

“Suspended Account” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1;

“Suspend” or “Suspension” means that a Player Account has been set to a Suspended Account as described in Section 12.1;

“Time-based One-time Password” has the meaning specified in Section 4.4.

“Unutilized Funds” means any notional funds corresponding to Canadian dollars that are credited to a Player Account, including Prizes but excluding Bonus Funds, that have not been used by the Player; and

“Username and Password” means a unique combination of identifiers created by a Player that is used by a Player to identify themselves to the iGaming System each time the Player wants to access their Player Account.