The changing face of online entertainment: an interview with a Canadian iGaming expert

Ten years ago, a night in for most Sarnia-Lambton households meant cable TV and maybe a DVD. Today, the same evening might include a streaming series, a mobile game and a few minutes at an online casino table, all on one phone.

Since Ontario opened its regulated online casino market in 2022, online gambling has become a more visible part of that mix.

We asked Nikolina Jeric, iGaming Expert at Casino.ca, one of Canada's leading online casino comparison sites, how the picture has changed and what local players should know.

Q – How has online entertainment changed in the past few years?

A – It fits around people's days now, instead of the other way around. People don't sit down for a two-hour block as much. They pick up their phone for 15 minutes during lunch, on the bus or after the kids are in bed.

Everything has adapted to that. Streaming services release shows built for binge-watching or quick episodes. Mobile games are designed for short sessions. Online casinos have followed the same path. A slot round takes seconds, and a live dealer blackjack hand takes a minute or two.

The lines between categories have blurred, too. Some casino games now borrow from TV game shows, with a live host, a big spinning wheel and bonus rounds that feel more like a broadcast than a card table.

Q – Where does online gambling fit into that picture?

A – For most people, it's one more option on the entertainment menu, like a movie or a concert ticket. You set aside an amount you're happy to spend and enjoy the experience.

That framing matters. When players treat it as paid entertainment rather than a way to make money, they tend to have a better time and keep it in proportion. Games are random and the house has an edge, so losses are part of the cost, the same as a cinema ticket you don't get back.

Q – What changed for Ontario players when the province regulated online casinos?

A – The biggest change is choice with protection. Before 2022, Ontarians could play at PlayOLG or at offshore sites with varying standards. Now, private operators can register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and operate through iGaming Ontario.

Those operators must meet the province's standards on fair games, data security and responsible gambling. That includes tools like deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.

Players also get more transparency. If something goes wrong, there's a regulator to answer to. My advice is simple: check that a site is on iGaming Ontario's list of regulated operators before you sign up.

Q – What do players expect from an online casino today?

A – Mostly the same things they expect from any app. It has to work smoothly on a phone, load quickly and be easy to find your way around. If a lobby is cluttered or the cashier is confusing, people close it and move on.

Live dealer games have raised the bar as well. Players like seeing a real person deal the cards, and they enjoy the chat and the pace of a real table.

They also expect straight answers. That means clear rules for each game, clear terms and conditions and a realistic idea of how long a withdrawal will take. Players compare sites far more than they used to, and they notice when something is vague.

Q – Has the way people pay for their entertainment changed too?

A – Quite a bit. A few years ago, most people topped up with a credit card and didn't give it a second thought. Now many treat a deposit like any other night out, with a set amount and a clear stopping point.

Prepaid cards are a good example. In Canada, vouchers like Paysafecard, Flexepin and Neosurf, along with prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards, have become a common way to fund online play. You load a fixed amount, your banking details stay private, and when the balance is gone, so is the session. The budget is built into the payment.

The catch is getting money back out, since most prepaid cards can't receive withdrawals. That's the first thing I'd check before choosing a casino accepting prepaid cards. It's also why we cover it in our payment guides at Casino.ca, where we compare how each card works at Canadian casinos, including its fees and limits.

Q – How can people keep online gambling in the entertainment column?

A – Set your budget before you start, not during a session. Most regulated sites let you set deposit limits in your account, and it takes a minute. Using a prepaid card works the same way, since you can't spend more than you've loaded.

Keep an eye on time as well as money. Reality checks, which pop up to tell you how long you've been playing, are useful here.

If it stops being fun, step away. Take a break, use a time-out or talk to someone. ConnexOntario offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600.

Q – Where do you see online entertainment heading next?

A – I think the crossover will keep growing. Casino games already borrow from TV, and streamers already play casino games for an audience. Expect more live, social formats where you're playing alongside other people, not just against a screen.

I also expect players to keep pushing for more control, from faster withdrawals to clearer terms and better budgeting tools. That's good news. The more transparent the industry becomes, the easier it is to treat online gambling the way it should be treated: as one form of entertainment among many.