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Toronto skyline in the Fall.

Outdoor escapades, heart-stopping adventures, and just about everything bursts with life in Toronto. It is the largest city in Canada and contains a wealth of activities that cater to every type of visitor. From outdoorsy and adventurous to live sports and entertainment.

Watching Sports

Toronto is home to several pro teams, including the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Both these teams share the same multipurpose venue – the Scotiabank Arena. Whether you support these teams or not, it’s worth visiting this arena just to soak up the atmosphere. While watching one of these teams play is exciting enough, you can take it to another level by betting on them to win.

Online sports betting in Canada has become highly popular, with a number of online platforms that offer safe regulated services. Neil Roarty states that these sites come with unbeatable odds, a wide range of betting options, and an extensive range of bonuses.

From the ability to be around other people and take part in all the action, to virtually being among other sports enthusiasts making your predictions on the outcomes of games and live betting, the interaction adds to the overall experience here in Canada.

High Park

This is Toronto’s largest public park, covering about 400 acres of breathtaking landscapes. You will find some great walking trails that wind through the beautiful gardens and past the well-equipped sports facilities with even a small charming zoo. And, of course, it goes without saying that no one should miss the grand blossoming of cherry trees every spring that invites an endless crowd of people. It forms such an enchanting backdrop that you should time your visit to this place during this enchanted season when the park looks its best.

Toronto Islands

Take the quick ferry ride from downtown to the tranquil Toronto Islands, rent a bicycle on the island and cruise along meandering paths, discover beautiful beaches, or simply search for a quiet little spot to relax. This hidden oasis provides breathtaking views of the city skyline, which makes it an ideal backdrop for solo photography, remember to bring a picnic basket because there are too many quiet places that lie in wait for you to sit down, take your time, and eat your meal amidst the grand beauty of nature.

Kayak the Don River

If you’re one of the adventurous kind, then you might want to ponder kayaking along the Don River. Rentals are available at numerous spots where you can take a kayak and set off into this haven right in the middle of the city and still be in nature, as the water remains fairly calm it would be the best option even for beginners.

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Enter the fascinating world of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), featuring over 90,000 stunning artworks. You might very well want to spend your day wandering through the vast galleries, taking in the iconic Canadian art and beautiful international pieces. Marvel at the architectural genius of Frank Gehry’s designs as it is a feast for the eyes. Should you take any time out, the on-site café is a haven for scrumptious meals or piping cups of coffee as you enjoy your break and refuel for further artistic discovery.

St. Lawrence Market

Do not miss out on St. Lawrence Market if you see yourself as a true foodie. Here lies a haven of hundreds of vendors that do fresh produce, gourmet delights, artisan cheeses, and mouth-watering baked goods. Sample delicacies and speak to locals who really care about their craft, have a great lunch while soaking in the dynamic atmosphere, and take some gourmet ingredients home with you for inspiration!

Casa Loma

Tours to this mansion-like castle in the heart of Toronto allow visitors to walk through the lush gardens and a beautifully decorated room narrating the story of Toronto’s history. It’s like going back in time and is quite an experience for those interested in admiring architecture and history. Take the self-guided tour and indulge in the details of this novelty landmark.

Distillery District

Of course, no solo outing will ever be complete without a leisurely walk around the historic Distillery District. With cobblestone streets lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and eateries by artisans, one can easily lose themselves in this charm. The atmosphere is so quaint that it’s nice to reflect alone or just enjoy the buzz of the crowd.

 

 

Saturday Sep 7th at TIFF Lightbox with Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton, John Turturro.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore

 

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton

 
Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton

Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton

 

Photos by Nick Lee

The rapid advancements of technology have had a positive impact on various industries. From medicine to entertainment, everybody stands to gain something from the changes that we see in tech, particularly digital tech. A small aspect of entertainment that, none-the-less, has seen a major boost is iGaming.

For those who don’t know, iGaming is the catch-all-term that refers to online casinos, and other forms of gambling on the internet. Recently, this industry has had major success in Ontario, Canada. In this article, we explain everything that one would need to know about iGaming in Ontario.

Legalization

For a long time, iGaming in Canada existed in a legal gray area. Some provinces banned the practice entirely, while others allowed residents to access offshore casinos. However, in 2022, Ontario became the first province to join many European countries in legalizing online gambling, and creating a regulated market, for Canadian gamblers to enjoy.

In April of 2022, Ontario launched Canada’s first, regulated, private online gambling market. Due to this fact, residents of the province can now freely access sites like Casino Days Ontario, which has quickly become one of the biggest, if not the biggest, casino operators in the Canadian province. With over one hundred table games, and thousands of slots to choose from, the site is certainly a great choice.

As for the regulation aspect, well that responsibility falls on two major organizations. One is the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO), a government organization, or Crown agency, that serves under the Ministry of the Attorney General. The other is iGaming Ontario, which works with the government diligently, in order to ensure a safe and reliable market.

Popularity

Online casinos are certainly legal in the province of Ontario. But, are they popular? The answer is a resounding yes. Online casinos have become a rather huge hit, not just in Toronto, and Ontario in general, but more broadly in Canada. There are several good reasons for the success of internet gambling, and we are going to take a look at a few of them below.

  • Accessibility

One of the biggest factors that contributes to online casino’s success is the accessibility to some of the most popular games. Online casinos can be accessed through a PC. However, there are also those that only require smartphone or tablets to use. This makes it possible to have play a quick game of slots on the go, while in the café, or even during lunch break at work.

  • Convenience

Another big reason for the success of iGaming in Toronto is the convenience. Imagine, for example, that you really want to play a round of roulette, but you don’t have a styled sweatshirt, or even any casual wear available at the moment. Well, the good news is that online casinos don’t require any sort of dress code. You can literally spin a few rounds of roulette while wearing your pyjamas.

  • Bonus Offers

Finally, a huge reason for the success of online gambling in general, and not just in Canada, is the introduction of bonus offers. For those who don’t know, bonus offers are certain benefits that online casinos offer, in order to get new fans introduced to online casinos. Bonuses vary online, but the most popular are by far free spins and match deposit offers.

Of course, these are just a few of the reasons why online casinos are popular. In truth, there are a lot more, which is why the iGaming industry in Toronto is such a huge success. But, with success comes financial gain. So, has iGaming had a positive impact on Ontario’s economy? That is what we are going to explore in the next segment.

Economy

The most obvious way that iGaming has contributed to Toronto’s, and Ontario’s economy is through tax revenue. By legalizing and regulating the industry, the government of the province now has the authority to tax all revenue generated by legal and regulated online casinos. That means that millions of dollars in tax revenue are now pouring in, enough to say that the decision was certainly a success.

However, tax revenue is not the only economic benefit of online gambling being legalized. Another aspect is the dozens (if not more) job positions being opened up to people from different sectors. Online casinos require programmers that will operate the site, graphic designers who are behind the aesthetic aspects, and game developers. These are fairly niche positions, that none-the-less, must be filled.

However, online casinos also require some fairly rudimentary positions. For example, if the online casino business has land-based headquarters, they will need to be kept up. Customer service jobs are necessary as well, as many newcomers to iGaming might have questions about how everything works. There is also HR, and other business-oriented aspects of the industry.

So, apart from the tax revenue that Ontario has, and will continue to generate, new online casinos are also creating job positions, and driving the unemployment rate down. All of these factors have greatly contributed to the province’s economy being bolstered.

Player Protection

Finally, we have to discuss player protection, and the methods that Canadian casinos employ to ensure that their users remain safe. On the digital side of things, you will find that most of the best Canadian casinos employ SSL encryption and multi-layer authentication to ensure that players are safe from identity theft, hacking, and information leaks.

In order for a casino to legally operate in Ontario, it must be reviewed, approved, and regulated by the AGCO and iGO, so look for licensed and regulated casinos, when selecting a website that offers online gambling. However, this is referring to protections against external threats. What if the player needs protecting from themselves?

Problem gambling can be a very serious issue, which is why online casinos take steps to ensure that their customers remain safe, even from themselves. Through the use of self-exclusion programs, partnerships with organizations that fight addiction, and tools that help them detect problem gambling, regulated casinos in Canada make sure that their products are as safe as they can be.

 

 

 

Toronto skyline at sunset.

Whether you are visiting Toronto or living here and looking for ways to have fun, the city’s gaming scene gives people lots of options. With a great selection of state-of-the-art, modern facilities, as well as some excellent retro gaming establishments, there is something for everyone.

Take a look below to learn more about the most fun ways to enjoy playing video games, enjoying physical activities, and winning money.

Most people are scared to check their wallets after a night out, but Toronto’s selection of casinos gives people the opportunity to finish the night with more money than they started with.

The Woodbine Racetrack casino is one of the most popular and visitors can enjoy a selection of traditional table games or fun new slot machines. Visitors to Toronto can also enjoy the best slots online, which have return-to-player (RTP) percentages as high as 99% – perfect for when you feel like staying in. Gambling fans can also play at an instant withdrawal casino and enjoy their winnings paid into their account immediately, ready to go and spend on other attractions and activities in the city.

If you are more interested in a retro gaming experience, Queen Street’s Tilt Arcade Bar could be right up your street. Enjoy everything a good pub has to offer including drinks and food, and by paying a $10 fee you will also have access to the top retro games including Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Jenga, Pinball, and much more.

For a more futuristic and immersive gaming experience, head along to Levelup Virtual Realty Arcade for a selection of fun and exciting games. You will be able to choose from single-player or multiplayer VR experiences that cover everything from zombie survival to mountaintop adventures.

Another must for video game enthusiasts is the Invictus Game Station, the PC gaming lounge that is the perfect location for friendly competition.

If you are on the lookout for a group activity, Toronto’s Rec Room offers a variety of entertainment options that are perfect for all ages. An interactive arcade offers a variety of fun and exciting games, while traditional ten-pin-bowling, ping pong, pool, indoor rock climbing, and axe throwing will ensure everyone goes home tired from an action-packed evening.

Another fun activity that is great for all ages is the Rollerpony roller skating rink which is the largest in Canada, spread out over 34,000 square feet.

Archery Circuit provides visitors with a truly unique and fun experience, and archery isn’t the only activity on the cards. Dodgeball and Nerf guns are also available for an adrenaline fuelled day out.

The blacklight arena is the first of its kind in the country, and you will be able to plan your outfits to make the most of the colour popping ambience.

Last, but definitely not least are the city’s great selection of board game cafes including Snakes and Lattes and For The Win Board Game Cafe and Bar.

Visitors will enjoy a much more laid back vibe and can enjoy a variety of new and traditional board games while chatting, having fun, and sampling some great food and drinks.

 

 

 

Ben Stiller lit up the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 for the premiere of his latest film, “Nutcrackers.” Looking sharp and exuding charm, Stiller interacted with fans and posed for photos, making the event truly memorable at the Roy Thomson Hall

In attendance at the red carpet along with Stiller were actress Jena Sims and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. Ben Stiller, Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Atlas Janson, Arlo Janson. The film is directed by David Gordon Green.

Jena Sims, actress

 

Photos by Nick Lee

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