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The 6 Biggest Online Casino Businesses in Canada

The online gambling landscape in Canada is changing rapidly. Five years ago, you couldn’t bet on a single sports event. Today, not only can you bet on sports, but you can also play casino games through locally licensed casinos.

Ontario has the most progressive iGaming laws in the country. It permits almost all forms of gambling. As a result, some of the biggest gambling brands in the world have come to Canada, especially to Ontario.

But where may Canadian find the biggest online casinos sites to play at? The easiest and safest way to find online casinos and betting sites in Canada is to referrer to reputable sources such as Casino Professor Canada or the iGaming Ontario Official. The first source, will give you a list of online casinos available in Canada and Ontario, while the second will only provide you those gambling companies that have acquired a license in Ontario. But who are those million dollar companies? Let’s dive into it, one by one.

  1. 888Casino: Biggest Online Casino and Sports Betting Brand

888Casino is one of the pioneers of online gambling. Established in 1997, this casino has existed for more than 25 years. It is a genuine company with licenses in both Malta and Ontario.

Armed with 2000 slots and table games; 888Casino offers something for every gambler. Just take a look at some of the site’s software providers—NetEnt, Playtech, Evolution Gaming, Play’n GO, Red Tiger, BGT and No Limit City.

These developers offer a wide variety of games, from video and classic slots to live poker and blackjack. 888 Casino has an extensive range of entertaining games. To spice up your experience, the casino has regular promotions.

This company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol 888. They comply with Canadian online gambling regulations, ensuring all Canadian users a secure and legal experience. Their global number of employees is currently around 11,634.

  1. Betway Casino: Fast Growing Gambling Company

Betway is one of the biggest online casino brands in the world. Betway is one of a few brands in this list that operates throughout Canada, including in Ontario. The explanation is that Betway holds licenses in both Ontario and Malta.

Betway’s biggest strength is its popularity. The company is a household name everywhere people gamble online. The reason for Betway’s popularity is simple. It knows how to treat its customers well.

Whether you love Egyptian slots, American roulette or progressive jackpots, Betway has it all. The company works with respected software providers to make your online gaming experience successful: Ezugi, Evolution, Authentic Gaming and Microgaming, to name a few.

They are owned by Super Group, which is a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The employees are approximately 3,589 globally.

  1. LeoVegas: The King of Mobile Gaming

Before Ontario commercialized online casinos, LeoVegas was one of the best-rated gambling sites in the country. LeoVegas is still a top-tier casino. In fact, it has won several awards for providing high-payout games, its mobile gaming platform and reliable customer service.

LeoVegas works with popular payment companies in Canada. You can use your card, iDebit, bank transfer, electronic check or a variety of mobile wallets.

LeoVegas was publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol “LEO”. However, it has been acquired by MGM Resorts International and has been delisted from Nasdaq Stockholm as of 2022. Approximately 960 people are working for this company.

  1. PokerStars: Pioneer of online poker world-wide

PokerStars is a Canadian online gambling business established in 2015. It operates in more than 20 countries globally. They hold a license from Ontario although it also operates in other provinces.

PokerStars is famous for its live casino. If you like blackjack, baccarat, roulette or poker, this is your go-to casino. To be fair, the site also features a decent variety of slots.

It has more than 300 slots from NetEnt, Quickspin, Playson, Big Time Gaming, iSoftBet, Playtech, High5Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming and Relax Gaming. Like many of its competitors, this casino’s biggest promotion is a 100% deposit bonus aimed at new customers.

PokerStars is owned by Flutter Entertainment plc, which is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. This company employs approximately 4,591 people globally.

  1. PlayOjo: SkillOnNet most successful brand

When PlayOjo was released in 2017, it rose to fame almost immediately. The explanation is that this casino launched with an excellent marketing strategy—all its bonuses came with zero wager requirements.

PlayOjo offers a decent blend of 300+ slots and table games from companies like Play’n GO, NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, Amaya and NextGen Gaming.

SkillOnNet operates PlayOJO and this company is not publicly listed on the stock market.

According to LinkedIn, there are up to 500 employees working for SkillOnNet who holds licenses in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements of regions it operates in, including Canada. This helps PlayOJO maintain a reputable status in the online gaming industry.

  1. Casumo

Casumo is regularly ranked among the best online casinos in Canada. What makes it stand out? Casumo’s biggest selling point is its payout speed. Most people love a casino with quick withdrawals. Casumo promises 1-2 day withdrawal speeds.

Another area in which Casumo stands out is in game variety. The site is armed with more than 4000 slots and table games. The titles come from respected software companies like Play’n GO, Bally, Microgaming, NetEnt, Push Gaming and Big Time Gaming.

This company is not publicly listed. It is a privately held company and does not trade on any stock exchange. It employs over 300 people with offices in different countries.

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Optimizing mobile wagering convenience with bassbet casino

The rise of mobile technology has transformed the way people engage with betting platforms. In this digital era, bassbet has emerged as a frontrunner in optimizing mobile experiences for casino enthusiasts. This article explores how bassbet casino is enhancing mobile wagering convenience.

Mobile technology has revolutionized the betting industry, providing users with unprecedented convenience and accessibility. Bassbet casino has capitalized on this trend by offering a seamless mobile wagering experience. By integrating user-friendly features and cutting-edge technology, the platform ensures that it is both accessible and engaging for users on the go.

Enhancing user experience with mobile technology

Bassbet casino leverages the latest mobile technology to enhance user experience. The platform’s intuitive design and easy navigation make it simple for users to place bets from their mobile devices. This focus on user experience ensures that players can enjoy their favorite games without any hassle.

Furthermore, the platform offers a wide range of games optimized for mobile play, ensuring that users have access to the same variety and quality as they would on a desktop. This adaptability is crucial in maintaining user engagement and satisfaction, as it allows players to enjoy their gaming experience anytime, anywhere.

The responsive design philosophy adopted by the platform ensures that every element of the platform scales perfectly across different screen sizes and device types. Whether users are accessing the casino through smartphones or tablets, the interface automatically adjusts to provide optimal viewing and interaction. This technological sophistication extends to touch-optimized controls, swipe gestures, and quick-loading graphics that minimize data consumption while maximizing visual appeal. The platform also incorporates intelligent caching mechanisms that remember user preferences and frequently accessed games, creating a personalized mobile environment that becomes more intuitive with each visit.

Security and reliability in mobile wagering

Security is a top priority for bassbet casino, especially when it comes to mobile wagering. The platform employs advanced security measures to protect user data and ensure safe transactions. This commitment to security builds trust among users, making it a reliable choice for mobile betting.

In addition to security, the company focuses on providing a reliable and stable platform. The casino’s mobile interface is designed to handle high traffic and deliver a smooth gaming experience, minimizing disruptions and ensuring that users can enjoy uninterrupted play.

Innovative features for mobile users

The company continuously innovates to offer unique features tailored for mobile users. From personalized notifications to exclusive mobile promotions, the platform ensures that its mobile users receive a premium experience. These features not only enhance user engagement but also encourage loyalty among players.

By staying at the forefront of mobile technology, the platform remains a leader in the online betting industry. Its commitment to optimizing mobile wagering convenience sets it apart from competitors, making it a preferred choice for casino enthusiasts worldwide.

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Features

Why People in Israel Can Get Emotionally Attached to AI—and How to Keep It Healthy


Let’s start with the uncomfortable truth that’s also kind of relieving: getting emotionally attached to a Joi.com AI isn’t “weird.” It’s human. Our brains are attachment machines. Give us a voice that feels warm, consistent, and attentive—especially one that shows up on demand—and our nervous system goes, “Oh. Safety. Connection.” Even if the rational part of you knows it’s software, the emotional part responds to the experience.
Now, if we’re talking about Jewish people in Israel specifically, it’s worth saying this carefully: there isn’t one “Jewish Israeli psychology.” People differ wildly by age, religiosity, community, language, politics, relationship status, and life history. But there are some real-life conditions common in Israel—high tech adoption, a fast-paced social environment, chronic background stress for many, and strong cultural emphasis on connection—that can make AI companionship feel especially appealing for some individuals. Not because of religion or ethnicity as a trait, but because of context and pressure.
So if you’ve noticed yourself—or someone you know—getting attached to an AI companion, the goal isn’t to panic or label it as unhealthy by default. The goal is to understand why it feels good and make sure it stays supportive rather than consuming.
Why attachment happens so fast (the psychology in plain language)
Attachment isn’t just about romance. It’s about regulation. When you feel seen, your body calms down. When you feel ignored, your body gets edgy. AI companions can offer something that’s rare in real life: consistent responsiveness. No scheduling. No misunderstandings (most of the time). No “I’m too tired to talk.” Just a steady stream of attention.
From an attachment perspective, that steadiness can act like a soft emotional “hug.” For someone with anxious attachment, it can feel like relief: finally, a connection that doesn’t disappear. For someone with avoidant tendencies, it can feel safe because it’s intimacy without the risk of being overwhelmed by a real person’s needs. For someone simply lonely or stressed, it can feel like a quiet exhale.
And unlike human relationships, AI won’t judge your worst timing. You can message at 2:00 a.m., when your thoughts are loud and the apartment is silent, and you’ll still get an answer that sounds caring. That alone is powerful.
Why it can feel especially relevant in Israel (for some people)
Israel is a small country with a big emotional load for many people—again, not universally, but often enough that it shapes daily life. A lot of people live with a background hum of stress, whether it’s personal, economic, or tied to the broader environment. When life feels intense, the appeal of a stable, gentle interaction grows. Not because you’re fragile—because you’re tired.
Add a few more very normal realities:
High tech comfort is cultural. Israel has a strong tech culture. People are used to tools that solve problems quickly. If you’re already comfortable with digital solutions, trying an AI companion doesn’t feel like a strange leap.
Time is tight. Between work, family responsibilities, reserve duty for some, long commutes, or simply the pace of urban life, many people don’t have the energy for long, messy social processes. AI can feel like connection without the logistics.
Social circles can be both close and complicated. Israeli society can be community-oriented, which is beautiful—until it’s also intense. In tight-knit circles, dating and relationships sometimes come with social pressure, opinions, and “everyone knows everyone.” A private AI chat can feel like a relief: no gossip, no explanations, no performance.
Language and identity complexity. Many Jewish Israelis move between languages and cultures (Hebrew, Russian, English, French, Amharic, Arabic for some). AI chat can become a low-stakes space to express yourself in the language you feel most “you” in—without feeling judged for accent, vocabulary, or code-switching.
None of this means “Israelis are more likely” in any absolute sense. It means there are situational reasons why AI companionship can feel particularly soothing or convenient for some people living there.
The good side: when AI attachment is healthy
Emotional attachment isn’t automatically a problem. Sometimes it’s simply a sign that something is working: you feel supported. You feel calmer. You’re expressing yourself more. You’re practicing communication instead of shutting down. You’re less likely to make impulsive choices from loneliness.
Healthy use often looks like:
You feel better after chatting, not worse.

You can still enjoy your real life—friends, work, hobbies, family.

You don’t hide it in shame; you just treat it like a tool or pastime.

You use the AI to practice skills you bring into real relationships: clarity, boundaries, confidence, emotional regulation.

In that version, AI companionship is closer to journaling with feedback, or a comforting ritual—like a cup of tea at the end of the day, not a replacement for dinner.
Where it can slip into unhealthy territory (quietly)
The danger isn’t “having feelings.” The danger is outsourcing your emotional world to something that will never truly share responsibility.
Warning signs usually look like:
You cancel plans with humans because the AI feels easier.

You feel anxious when you’re not chatting, like you’re missing something.

You start needing the AI to reassure you constantly.

Your standards for human relationships collapse (“Humans are too complicated, AI is enough”).

You feel a “crash” after chatting—more lonely, more restless, more disconnected.

The biggest red flag is when the AI becomes your only reliable source of comfort. That’s not because AI is evil. It’s because any single source of emotional regulation—human or non-human—can become a dependency.
How to keep it healthy (without killing the fun)
Here’s the approach that works best: don’t ban it, contain it.
Give it a role.
 Decide what the AI is for in your life: playful flirting, stress relief, practicing communication, roleplay, bedtime decompression. A defined role prevents the relationship from becoming vague and all-consuming.
Set a “time container.”
 Not as punishment—just as hygiene. For example: 20 minutes at night, or during commute time, or only on certain days. Ending while you still feel good is the secret. Don’t chat until you feel hollow.
Keep one human anchor active.
 A friend you text, a weekly family dinner, a class, a gym routine, a community event—something that keeps your real social muscles moving. In Israel, community can be a huge protective factor when it’s supportive. Use it.
Use consent and boundary language even with AI.
 It sounds odd, but it trains your brain in healthy dynamics:
“Slow down. Keep it playful, not intense.”

“No jealousy talk. I don’t like that vibe.”

“Tonight I want comfort, not advice.”
 If you can do that with an AI, you’ll be better at doing it with humans.

Watch the “replacement” impulse.
 If you catch yourself thinking, “I don’t need anyone else,” pause and ask: is that empowerment—or is it avoidance? Sometimes it’s a protective story your brain tells when it’s tired of disappointment.
Check in with your body after.
 Not your thoughts—your body. Calm? Lighter? More grounded? Good sign. Agitated? Empty? Restless? Time to adjust.
And if you’re noticing that AI use is feeding anxiety, sleep problems, isolation, or obsessive thinking, it may help to talk to a mental health professional—especially someone who understands attachment patterns. That’s not a dramatic step. It’s basic self-care.
People in Israel—Jewish Israelis included—can get attached to AI for the same reason people everywhere do: it offers consistent attention in an inconsistent world. Add the local realities of stress, pace, and social complexity, and it can feel even more comforting for some individuals. The healthiest path isn’t to judge yourself for it. It’s to use it intentionally, keep your human life active, and treat the AI as a supportive tool—not the center of your emotional universe.

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Three generations of Wernicks all chose to become rabbis

(left-right): Rabbis Steven and Eugene Wernick, along with Michelle Wernick, who is now studying to be a rabbi

By GERRY POSNER Recently I was at a Shabbat service at Beth Tzedec Synagogue in Toronto and the day unfolded in some unexpected ways for me.

It began when I was asked to be a Gabbai for the service, that is to stand up at the table where the Torah is placed and to check the Torah reading to make sure there are no errors. I have done this before and it has always gone smoothly. I attribute that fact in large part to the Torah reading ability of the reader at Beth Synagogue. He is fast, fluent and flawless. Well, on this particular day after he had completed the first two portions, he began the shlishi or third aliyah. I could not find his reading anywhere. It was as if he had started somewhere fresh, but not where he was supposed to be. I looked at the other Gabbai and he did not seem to recognize what had happened either. So, I let it go. I had no idea where the Torah reader was. He then did another and still I was lost. He came to what was the 6th aliyah when a clergy member walked over to him and indicated to him that he had read the fourth and fifth aliyah, but that he had missed the third one. The Torah reader then said to me “this is what you are here for.” Now, it might have been one thing if I had missed it entirely. Alas, I saw the error, but let it go as I deferred to the Torah reader since he never makes a mistake. He ended up going back to do the third aliyah before continuing on. This was a very unusual event in the synagogue. I felt responsible in large part for this gaffe. A lesson learned.

The feeling of embarrassment was compounded by the fact that on this particular day the service was highlighted, at least for me, because of the rabbi delivering the sermon. This rabbi, Eugene Wernick, was none other than the father of my present rabbi, Steven Wernick of Beth Tzedec Synagogue. He was also the same rabbi who was the rabbi at Shaarey Zedek between 1979-1986 and who had officiated at my father’s funeral in 1981, also a few years later at my oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah in Winnipeg in 1984. As I listened to him speak, I was taken back to the 1980s, when Rabbi Gene was in the pulpit at Shaarey Zedek. Of course, he is older now than in his Shaarey Zedek days, but the power of his voice was unchanged. If anything, it’s even stronger. As in the past, his message was relevant to all of us and resonated well. Listening to him was a treat for me. Still, my regret in not calling out the mistake from the Torah reading was compounded by the fact that I messed up in front of my former rabbi, Eugene Wernick – never mind my present rabbi, Steven Werinck.

On this Shabbat morning, aside from all the other people present, there were not only the two Rabbis Wernick, but one Michelle Wernick was also there. Michelle, daughter of Rabbi Steven Wernick, is a first year student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is following in the family business – much like with the Rose rabbinical family in Winnipeg.

As it turned out, there was a Bat Mitzvah that day. And the Bat Mitzvah family had a very real Winnipeg connection as in the former Leah Potash, mother of the Bat Mitzvah girl, Emmie Bank and the daughter of Reuben and Gail Potash (Thau). It occurred to me that there might be a few Winnipeg people in the crowd. As I scanned the first few rows, I was not disappointed. Sitting there was none other than Chana Thau and her husband Michael Eleff. I managed to have a chat with Chana (even during the Musaf service). In the row right behind Chana and Michael was a face I had not seen in close to sixty years. I refer to Allan Berkal, the eldest son of the former rabbi and chazan at Shaarey Zedek, Louis Berkal. I still remember the first time I met Allan at Hebrew School in 1954 when his family moved to Winnipeg from Grand Forks, North Dakota. That was many maftirs ago. So this was another highlight moment for me.

Of course, there are other Winnipeggers who attend Beth Tzedec most Shabbats. I speak of Morley Goldberg and his wife, the former Marcia Billinkoff Schnoor. As well, Bernie Rubenstein and his wife, the former Sheila Levene were also present for this particular Shabbat. In all, this Shabbat had a particularly Winnipeg flavour to it. Truth be told, you do not have to go far in Toronto at any synagogue and the Winnipeg connections emerge.

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