List of the best Canadian online casinos
There are loads of incredible sites available in Canada. Some huge international brands are happy to accept local players and their Canadian dollars. New sites are being released all the time so the list just keeps on growing.
Our job is to sort the great from the mediocre. Our readers expect a high standard of gambling entertainment. And our review team knows exactly how to keep them happy. What you see here are a select few brands that have surpassed our expectations and are worth checking out.
Laws and regulations for online casinos in Canada
Most gambling laws around the world fail to address online gambling in any practical way. And Canada kind of does the same thing. Lots of attention has been focused on land-based gambling such as casinos, lotteries and sports betting, for example. But the internet perplexes most governments and they simply don’t know how to regulate online gambling.
The whole gambling scene used to be kept underground for many years. But this didn’t stop people from having a flutter. Naturally, gangsters were the only ones who had the financial backing and the necessary muscle to control the illicit industry.
The 1970s saw a relaxation of the draconian laws and things started to improve slightly. But it wasn’t until the mid-80s when individual provinces were given the power to regulate their own gambling legislation. And this led to a far greater selection of gambling games being made available to the general public. But then the internet arrived…
As you know, the internet isn’t exactly static and your physical location can be hard to pin down. Simple tech can keep you away from prying eyes. And the same is true for online businesses as well. Attempting to keep tabs on offshore operators has proved to be a bridge too far for the Canadian judiciary. So this side of the industry has been largely ignored and little is done to regulate it.
It doesn’t seem to be either illegal or legal for a Canadian citizen to use an offshore site. For that reason, there are hundreds of international brands operating in this area.
Laws are not the same for all provinces
The best online casinos in Canada can operate as long as they are licensed within the individual provinces where they are based. Each province has its own licensing criteria but this doesn’t really affect the individual players – save a few variations in the minimum age.
Provincial online Canadian casino laws have led to a monopoly of state-run sites. And this has made it hard for small casino brands to work their way into the Canadian market. Some larger brands are present in the main provinces but the majority of the action still goes to the offshore sites.
Can you play at offshore casinos?
In short, yes. As far as we know, the law doesn’t specifically outlaw the use of offshore online casinos. There have been a couple of legal cases involving American companies being caught operating on the wrong side of the border. But this is for the operators to worry about and not the players. There’s no sign that Canadian players will meet any opposition if they choose to play offshore.
Licensing for offshore casinos
If you’re playing offshore, then you might be wondering how these brands are regulated. In general, there is no worldwide regulatory body. It’s a kind of self-governing affair that has its pros and cons.
A Canadian online casino doesn’t necessarily need a licence to simply exist. But most players will decide against signing up at a site without one. So where does a site get a licence?
Several licencing authorities have sprung up around the globe. Some control the action within their own borders, such as the UKGC, for example. While others offer some level of protection to those playing outside of their own country’s jurisdiction. Curaçao and MGA are two of the most well-known examples of this. But there are others. And one of them is curiously based in Canada.
Kahnawake Mohawk Nation
The Kahnawake Mohawk Nation is a First Nations Reserve near Montreal. Different laws apply in indigenous sovereign nations and they are able to offer the best online casino in Canada activity both within their own territory and to offshore casino sites.
It has become a great way for smaller casino brands to obtain a licence that is well respected throughout the gambling industry.
Is real money casino gaming legal in Canada?
Absolutely. There is no problem with gambling with real money in Canada. And there are loads of places where you can find real cash action. And you’ll find the best of them listed here on our site. Check out our list of trusted brands and see where you would like to play.
Our review process for Canadian casinos online
Deciding which sites can make it onto our list of providers is a lengthy affair. A lot of thought and consideration goes into the assessment of each brand. And it is only when our team of reviewers is completely satisfied that they will release any details of a casino online Canada to our readers.
You can rest assured that signing up for an account with any real money online casino in Canada listed on this page will get you the very best and safest gambling entertainment.
Here are a few of the key points that our team of experts looks out for when reviewing any casino brand.
Is the site well known and trusted?
There are two types of reputation that a casino online can develop. One is within the industry and the other is from its customers.
We work with many different casino operators and we always keep our ear to the ground. Bad news travels fast and we get to hear about any problems quickly. In this industry, there’s no place to hide.
We also spend a lot of time checking out individual reviews on the most popular forums. It gives us a good indication as to how the general public feels about a particular brand.
What are the welcome bonus and other offers like?
One of the key things for us to assess is the bonus offer that is available when signing up for a new account. There is a lot of competition in this game and so the top brands will offer the very latest promos to entice you towards them.
But we always dig deeper to make sure that an offer is as good as it sounds. It is easy to throw big sums of cash around and make it look appealing in an advert. But when you get behind the scenes you start to see the truth. Our experts know exactly what to look out for. And they only want to see promotions that are worth your while. If it is too difficult to enjoy the deal, then there is no point in having it.
Do they have a good game selection?
A great game selection is essential for any casino that wants to be taken seriously. There are many classic games that have been around for a long time other more modern ones that have only recently hit the scene. For a casino to appeal to a cross-section of players, they need to have a good variety of both types of games.
All of these titles come from various game providers. It isn’t just one company that creates everything for the industry. And having a contract to offer games from various software companies is always a good sign that they have healthy working relationships with other companies in the industry.
Is the support friendly and professional?
Having great customer service is extremely important. Customers need to know that they can contact the site for whatever reason and have any issues resolved quickly.
Thankfully, there isn’t generally too much that can go wrong with today’s online casinos. The tech that is used in the process is extremely well produced and monitored at every step.
But if anything does happen, then you need to know that the casino online is always on hand when you need them.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are available?
Money transfers are what makes all the gambling action possible. Without getting cash into your account you wouldn’t be able to play any of the games in the first place. So a great selection of deposit methods is high on our list of priorities.
But of course, it isn’t just getting money into a casino account that is important. You need to get money back out the other way if you are fortunate enough to land some winnings. Not all money movement products can facilitate payments in both directions. So we check thoroughly to make sure that there’s a great selection of ways to deposit and make a withdrawal as well.
Canadian real money casinos
There are a lot of great places where you can spend your Canadian Dollars. A real money casino in Canada is always extremely popular. But there is also a place in the industry for demo games as well. Let’s take a look at the difference between playing for cash and playing for fun.
Casino for real money
The most obvious advantage when playing at a real money casino online is that you are able to win real cash in return. You will often find many promotions that give you the same opportunity but without spending any of your own cash first. So this is the best of both worlds.
But the natural downside to playing with cash is that it is possible to lose it. You should always have a budget in mind and be prepared that you may lose any money that you were playing with.
Playing for fun (demo mode)
Playing for fun takes away any of the financial worries involved when gambling. You won’t be able to cash out any winnings from these games. But then there is no chance that you will lose any money either.
Demo games present a great opportunity to get to grips with all that a particular title has to offer. Any classic card game, for example, has its own rules so it can take a little time to get used to them. Playing for free allows you to become an expert without spending any money in the process. When you finish and think you have a good grasp on the game, then you can select the real money version and try your luck.
Bonuses for Canadian online casinos
Casino bonuses used to be something of a rarity. But now you can pick them up at pretty much every site.
There are a lot of brands competing in the same market so it is increasingly more difficult for them to catch the eye of the customer.
A few tried and tested methods have prevailed over the years and now you can find a good selection of these top bonuses available.
New player offers
Promos for new players are often the most valuable. It is difficult to stand out from the crowd and so it often takes a big-money deal to draw a customer towards the casino.
The two types of freebies that usually come your way as a new customer are bonus spins or bonus cash. But regardless of what you land, you need to be aware of any small print. Rules and procedures will dictate how freely you can use any of the bonus money.
Offers with no deposit required
Some offers are easy to get hold of and you don’t always need to make a deposit first. A no deposit deal will come your way for creating a new account with a casino offering this type of freebie.
Once they have confirmed the opening of your new account, they will send you any of the bonuses that they promised. These will usually be a few bonus spins to use on a slot for example. Or alternatively, it might be some credit that you can exchange for free plays on various table games.
Offers with deposit requirements
Offers that require a deposit are undoubtedly the largest that you can find. And usually, the more money that you spend, the bigger the bonus will be. A casino brand is always very happy to thank new players for making a commitment to the site.
As with a no deposit deal, this kind of bonus will be some free spins or some free cash to spend on other games.
You will often find that the casino will match any money that you deposit into your account. The deposit match deal is one of the most popular casino promotions. Perhaps even 300% on top of your deposit can find its way into your bonus balance. And this is a terrific opportunity to play a load of different casino games for free.
Important terms and conditions
When it comes to terms and conditions you need to take them very seriously. They can make or break a casino deal.
The most common requirement is that you must gamble with any bonus cash a number of times before you are able to withdraw any winnings. The same can be said for any winnings that arise while playing bonus spins. As a general rule of thumb, any cash that is in your bonus balance will not make its way to your live balance until you have satisfied any wagering requirements.
Another major consideration is the amount that you can cash out. It’s not often the case that you can win a load of money using a bonus and then simply walk away with all of the winnings. Check the small print to see if there is a maximum amount that you can take home.
Canadian live casino gaming
Canadian live gaming is the perfect way to enjoy the thrill of a land-based casino. And the main difference is that you can access all the action right to your mobile or laptop. There’s no need to leave the house.
They’re awesome fantastic live production companies set up around the globe that can produce these top games. All of the dealers are professionally trained and they offer loads of different games too. It isn’t just the classic table games as you might imagine. Although these do form the vast majority of the inventory.
Game show type productions are also possible. You can get involved with titles such as Deal or No Deal and Monopoly Live. These games usually involve some form of big wheel which is spun by a presenter and allow you to win some fantastic cash prizes.
How live gaming works
The technology used by live production firms is quite incredible. Essentially, it is a studio that is set up to record all of the entertainment and players are able to join in via their computers.
It feels as if you are there in the room with them. But all this can come at a cost to your internet data. Streaming live games can put a heavy toll on mobile data if you are not connected with a fixed Wi-Fi connection. So this is something to consider if you are planning on playing live games while on the move.
Live dealers – adding a human touch
Video games can be quite impersonal. There is no interaction between you and the game other than selecting your wagers. A live dealer setup allows you to interact with the game’s host and the other players as well. It creates an awesome experience that you cannot achieve with other classic types of casino games.
The great thing about playing live is that you can ask the dealer any questions that you may have about the game you are playing. Usually, you would need to look up a tutorial or rules for a game. But with the live version, the dealer is there to put your mind at ease and help you along in any way they can.
Deposit and withdrawals at online casinos Canada
Players need to get cash into their accounts as quickly and as safely as they can. There are many ways they can do this. Moreover, there are some very respectable companies that will facilitate the process.
Over the years, the list of products has grown enormously. And now there is a method of moving your money that is suitable for just about everybody.
Credit and debit cards
Credit and debit cards are an easy way to make a payment. Usually, a debit card comes with a bank account. Funds go directly from your bank to the casino thanks to the details on your card.
Credit cards, on the other hand, will make the payment for you and you then need to pay the credit card company back at the end of the month. This is a great option for those who are not looking to spend their own cash at that moment.
e-Wallets
E-wallets are extremely popular with today’s modern gamblers. They offer a top level of security and privacy as well.
An electronic wallet is an online account where you can add funds or accept transfers from other people. You can use this money to make purchases anywhere you wish as long as the recipient accepts this kind of transfer.
It is usually very fast to make a payment in this way and you can also accept withdrawals from your online casino Canada account as well. One of the most popular payment methods for casino gaming is Paypal.
Prepaid cards
It is also possible to find a prepaid debit card that you can top up with other sources of cash. So it is not always necessary to have a bank account.
You can make payments using your prepaid card in the same way as you would using a debit or credit card.
Popular online casino real money games
There is a huge range of games available for gamblers online. Some of them are purely luck-based while others require a little skill on the player’s part.
Here are a few of the most popular games that you will find at your favourite Canadian online casino sites.
Slots games
Online slots games present a top opportunity to win some cash regardless of your level of experience as a gambler. There is nothing you can do to influence the outcome of these games and you simply need to see what happened. The results of all spins are down to luck but are closely regulated by a random number generator. This way, nobody knows when the next winner will appear.
There is every conceivable theme under the sun available at your fingertips. So hours and hours of varied gambling fun are there for the taking.
Online blackjack
Blackjack is the most popular classic casino game on the planet. Millions of players around the globe regularly participate in this fantastic game. The reason that it is so well-known and well-loved is that it isn’t all down to luck. You are able to influence the outcome by making a selection during the game.
If you follow a set strategy and make your move at the right time, then the return to player with this title is second to none. It is possible to see over 99% RTP.
The premise is very simple. You have 2 cards and so does the dealer. And the total of your cards needs to get closer to 21 than the total of the dealer’s cards. The twist comes in that you can select more cards if you want to.
Online roulette
Roulette has been available at casinos for hundreds of years. It started out with the French version and now there are several others including standard European and American roulette as well. The differences between the versions are a couple of rule changes as well as additional numbers in play. The most popular version available at most online casinos is European Roulette. It features only one ‘zero’ section which lowers the house edge and gives you a better probability of winning in the long run.
The wheel spins with its separately numbered segments. And the croupier throws the ball in to see where it will eventually land. If it lands on the number that you have chosen previously then you can win big. There are also other bets that will allow you to make a selection of predictions but you will receive lower odds as your chances of winning are higher.
Online gambling in Canada and safety
We take your safety incredibly seriously. And that’s why we spend so long reviewing and assessing all of the online casino Canada sites that come onto our radar. It is never worth taking the risk of playing at the site if you are unsure that the casino can guarantee you safety.
There are a couple of things that you can do to ensure that you stay safe while playing online.
Use our lists to find trusted and secure casinos
The first one is simple. Only choose sites that feature here on this page. As you know, our selection process is rigorous and we check every site to ensure that it is safe. This includes licensing information as well as a thorough assessment of their reputation.
We check to see that there’s a great selection of games as well as a number of top payment methods as well. On top of this, we review the customer service details along with any welcome offers that are up for grabs.
It is the easiest way for you to guarantee a great experience while playing online.
Make sure the online casino is using SSL
And any website that is collecting data from its customers should be doing so in an encrypted way. Scrambling the data can ensure that undesirable characters on the internet are unable to clearly see the data you are sending.
If you want to know if your favourite online casino Canada is using the latest encryption technology, then simply take a look at the address bar. Next to the casino’s web address, you will see the padlock symbol which represents the safety that you need.
FAQ
So there you have it. Online gambling in Canada is a huge market that presents some amazing places to play. You should now have everything you need to get started. But if you’re missing any info, then our FAQs might help.
