Best Online Casinos in Canada
The Exciting World Of Online And Land-Based Casinos
In general, online casinos are also referred to as internet casinos or virtual casinos. They are nothing more than the reflection of the traditional, land-based casinos – with only a few “small” differences. They bring some advantages for you!
In the online casino world, there is above all the possibility of playing all the games that are available in a local casino at any place and at any time – provided you have a stable Internet connection. You have an incredible amount of flexibility when playing at an online casino – especially compared to traditional casinos.
You will surely wonder which is better: playing at a local casino or online? We have got to the bottom of this question for you, as we cannot deny that both versions have their advantages and disadvantages. It depends a little on how you feel about it. If you like to be surrounded by like-minded people with whom you can chat, then the land-based casino is certainly the right place to go. In addition, it cannot be denied that the atmosphere there is unique, even if the operators of the virtual casinos try very hard to recreate them as best they can – especially in live casino online.
However, there are also some factors that clearly speak in favour of visiting an online casino. On the one hand, there is the significantly larger selection of games, extensive support from customer service and help pages, the option to play and test the games for free, various bonus offers and the lack of opening time limitations. Also, a definite plus point is the ability to access the online casino anytime, anywhere and from different devices. The payout percentages in online casinos is also usually higher, too.
The latter is a crucial point for many when choosing an online casino. Payout percentages of 95% are not uncommon here. For comparison: The land-based gambling providers such as arcades and casinos pay out between 60 and max. 70%. This is justified with the very high fixed costs such as rent, electricity, personnel costs, etc.
Online casinos, on the other hand, are often located in tax havens and countries where they only have to pay low fixed costs and wages. Therefore, the cost is a lot lower. In addition, 95% of the casinos do not develop the game software themselves but enter into cooperation with game software developers, including NetEnt, Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO and Yggdrasil.
In the long term, online casinos do better than local arcades, game parlours and casinos. In addition, online providers are also much more transparent with the payout percentages: the payout percentages are displayed in every game, be it online slots, blackjack, roulette or others.
Legal Real Money Online Casinos In Canada
Gambling is not like every other type of entertainment. It is subject to various legal obligations, whether is it operated online or at physical premises. Every country, state, or, in certain cases, districts have different regulations when it comes to gambling. Some are very transparent and clearly stated, whereas others are very vague and generic.
Canada definitely is the example of the last. Gambling regulation in Canada is decided on a province basis. In the majority, it has been legalized and made accessible to players across the country. The most important information for Canadian players is definitely the fact that playing at online casinos leaves them safe from prosecution.
The case of remote online casinos is even more unclear. The legalization of gaming and the casino sovereignty claims of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, as well as the case of remote virtual gambling sites is a tricky one.
Currently, Canadian authorities do not bring any kind of action against remote operators, leaning towards allowing them to operate in the country. Considering the strong willingness of Canadians to gamble, Canuck punters can freely play online for real money without the need of worrying.
The legal status of remote online casinos in Canada remains confusing and many sites that accepts Canadians do not need any dedicated Canadian gaming license. However, operators that are run by provincial governments in Canada do require a license, just like land-based casinos would.
The Best Online Casino Games
One of the most important criteria for a good online casino is without a doubt the range of games that the online casinos offer. The big advantage of a casino provider on the Internet is that there is virtually no limit to the number of different games. Unlike in a game library, where the selection of slots is limited by the space, an online casino can offer hundreds of different machines.
Therefore, you can play numerous games online that you will rarely find in land-based casinos. However, there are still some big differences between the individual online casinos, which is why the amount of casino games a not inconsiderable part of the overall rating. Here is a list of the most popular games you will come across at online casinos:
Usually, online casinos offer several game variants from each of the mentioned categories. But there are always providers who concentrate more on particular sections, such as slots or live casino games, and neglect other types for them or do not offer them at all.
The slot machine games make up the majority of the game selection that all online casinos offer. There are classic fruit slots with three reels, 3D slots and video slots with over 200 paylines, modern graphics and bombastic soundtracks. The variety of themes and motives is almost unmanageable. It revolves around famous films, historical events, fairy tales, the classic fantasy themes, the animal world or sports. In short: there is something for everyone!
Top Online Slots
Slot | Software provider |
Starburst | NetEnt |
Reel King Megaways | Inspired Gaming |
Book Of Dead | Play’n GO |
Mega Moolah | Microgaming |
Thunderstruck II | Microgaming |
In the guide presented at CanadaGamblingOnline.com, we will explain to you different game variations so that you can make an educated choice the next time you decide to play online. All in all, what matters most is you have great fun at an online casino! Let us take care of you in this regard and help you enjoy this fascinating adventure in both entertaining and secure way.
How To Choose The Right Online Casino?
Obviously, you can simply try playing at different websites and decide what you like best. But are you willing to waste your money on operators who should have never won your trust? All in all, we are talking here about real cash which you must have earned!
For this reason, it’s better not to risk and rely on reliable and high-quality online casinos, which you will find in our ranking. Below we have prepared a list of steps which will help you make the right choice and avoid the possibility of feeling lost in this super casino-crowded online world!
- Decide what your goals are.
The first step in choosing an online casino that suits your needs. The challenge is to know your requirements. In other words, you want to know what to expect from your online casino experience.
We should warn you though – if your goal is to find a surefire way to win money with little effort, no online casino is going to suit you. Sure, you have payouts and odds that are similar to most live casinos. But all online casinos do an excellent job of thwarting potential advantage gamblers.
For example, you cannot count cards in an online casino. For the simple reason that a casino uses more than 6 decks of cards. All online casinos have strict wagering requirements that make it almost impossible to take advantage of your sign up bonuses.
And as in any casino, virtual or not, all games have a mathematical advantage for the house that is embedded in the games. In the long run, this mathematical advantage is unbeatable.
Knowing what your goals are with your online gambling is always the first step in making a good decision about where to gamble. In fact, we suggest that you take out a notepad and pen and take some notes about what you are looking for in your online casino experience.
- Look at the software options.
Most online casinos do not use proprietary software. They offer games provided by online casino gaming software companies. Just like with all the other types of products, you can easily find both stunning and horrible games. It would not be the end of the world to make a mistake and choose wrong, however, in the case of playing for real cash, it is a bit more problematic.
Good, quality and well-known providers are NetEnt, Microgaming, Yggdrasil, Play’N GO and Evolution Gaming among others. There are tens of other game studios that feature safe, visually appealing and very entertaining titles – don’t worry, we will walk you through them in detail!
Naturally, some games might not only feature higher payout rates but, simply, suit your needs more in terms of graphics and gameplay. For this reason, it’s recommendable to try playing different games for free at first. In the case of online slots, most of the reputable virtual casinos let you play the majority of games in a demo mode so that you can test it before investing real cash.
In our experience, the quality criteria of good casino software and to deliver the best online casino game are, in addition to a lot of creativity, a stable framework so that the applications run stably and good performance in terms of speed. In recent years, a great deal of attention has been paid to ensuring that both the casino platforms and the games on PC, mobile phone and tablet run equally well.
- Check any valid licenses.
The license that an internet casino possesses is the central core piece when it comes to player safety. This is not just any piece of paper that the operator of the online casino receives for using real cash. Rather, they have to meet numerous requirements in order to receive a license.
Should the online casino act in any way dubious, then this license will be withdrawn very quickly. In addition, such a license has to be renewed again and again and is therefore not valid indefinitely.
So that a reputable provider can be distinguished from a “black sheep”, you should pay attention to the authority by which the license was issued. The licenses are not congruent – but they all have one thing in common. They force the online casino to work seriously and to ensure that everything is done correctly and players’ safety is always considered a top priority.
The most popular gambling licenses are issued by the following authorities:
Place of Origin | Gambling Licence |
Malta | MGA (Malta Gambling Authority) |
Gibraltar | Licensing Authority Gibraltar (Gibraltar Gambling Commission) |
Cyprus | National Gaming Authority Cypres |
Isle of Men | Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission |
Curaçao | CEG (Curaçao Gambling Control Board) |
Canada | The Kahnawake Gaming Commission |
A valid license guarantees the player that the online casino and the company behind the brand have been subjected to thorough controls by a state and incorruptible authority and that the minimum requirements have been met. Even after the license has been granted, controls will continue to be carried out to ensure that the guidelines are still being followed.
The requirements of the gambling authorities include, for example, data protection, protection of players’ rights, proper financial management and compliance with strict anti-money laundering regulations. Furthermore, the gaming authority serves as a contact and mediator in disputes between the player and the online casino. Classic and mobile online casinos are constantly being tested by their licensors. For you, a player, it is great news – an extra layer of safety is much appreciated!
- Assess the availability of different payment methods.
It may sound like nitpicking to the inexperienced if we judge an online casino harshly because few payment methods are offered. But keep the following in mind: in order to make real profits, you need to deposit real money into your gaming account. Do you want a new online casino to appear on your bank statement? Or on the credit card statement? In addition, not everyone has an accepted credit card.
It would also be nice if the money transfer was quick and secure. As a customer, you are the king! You should be offered as many secure methods as possible, the majority of which should be free of charge. In addition to credit cards and transfer types, there are various e-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill or PayPal established that enable anonymous, secure and lightning-fast transactions. Pre-paid cards are not to be forgotten, too.
The operators should accommodate you and make depositing and withdrawing money as easy as possible. Our ratings show all the subtleties in a nutshell. The younger a new online casino is, the more modern the payment methods should be. In particular, eWallets are a must these days. In addition, it is a real plus if online casinos allow minimum deposits as low as 5 or 1 dollar deposit.
- Learn about safety and security measures.
Connection security is also easy to test if you know how to do it. If you go to the website information in your browser, the certificate will be displayed there. If you take a closer look, you can also find out where it is displayed and which SSL encryption the casinos offer. The current standard is a 256-bit encryption.
Whether a casino provider is serious and fair can be seen, among other things, from a “fair” game. This includes that casino games are actually equipped with a fair random number generator (RNG, Random Number Generator). In an online casino, many things that actually exist in a real casino are simulated. It is important that this simulation works the same way online as it does in a real casino. An example of this is when the dealer shuffles cards. In a real casino, there is a professional dealer at work here who has mastered the shuffling of cards perfectly and can quickly put them into a random order.
Also, you should see whether and how responsible gaming is guaranteed by looking at the options for setting limits on your account and whether you can temporarily or completely block your account for self-protection. The casinos’ cooperation with self-help groups is recommended. You should have access to different organisations and helplines that can support you when in need.
As in almost every industry, there are also awards and prizes that a provider can win in the casino world. This is not only a confirmation of their good work but also a good guideline for us users to filter out the best online casino. The Global Gaming Awards, the EGR Awards, the IGA Awards and the Global Regulatory Awards are particularly well-known. The prizes are awarded in different categories, such as “best online casino”, “best live casino” or “best customer service”. In this way, you can quickly and accurately find a good provider for your specific needs.
How To Start Playing At Online Casinos
Let’s face it – gambling is fun when done right. For newbies, the online casino world can be a scary one, hence it is important to know how to kick off the fun in an appropriate way.
One thing cannot be denied: the online casino operator only makes money when you lose! For a successful game, it is important that you yourself know when it is time to get out of the game. Below are the 5 most important tips that you should adhere to when playing online:
- You need to know the rules.
It is widely known that it is the skilled players who are the luckiest at the game. Don’t be too hasty and don’t start a game which rules you don’t know or understand. It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with the game before wagering any real money. The online casinos offer precise game explanations and often also the opportunity to test the game with play money first.
- Alcohol and gambling are not a good duo!
It has been proven that alcohol leads to a decrease in judgment and that people can be badly influenced by drinking. This can then lead to irreparable mistakes. For this reason, you should never gamble if you are drinking or have been drinking alcohol.
- Set reasonable limits.
Before starting the game, set very clear limits. With a maximum amount that you can lose, you ensure that you are not spending more than your financial resources are giving away. If you try to make up for any losses with more stakes, you will find yourself bankrupt very quickly! It is better to stop immediately and keep your head clear! Setting limits on how long you can spend at the online casino can also help.
- Don’t put yourself under pressure.
One of the most common mistakes happens especially to beginners. If luck is on your side and you generate corresponding profits right from the start, don’t go crazy and use everything again to win even more. The downside that often occurs is that you eventually lose everything! Always think rationally and make sure that you are not overdoing it.
- Better start small.
Nobody should start playing with high sums at an online casino. Start with small amounts and familiarize yourself with the provider and their platform. You can always raise the stakes later when you get more experienced! Only use as much as you can get away with. Never gamble with the money you need for a living!
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose an online casino?
You should always take into consideration a number of important factors that focus on, but are not limited to: gaming licence, game portfolio, payment methods, security and safety measures and customer service.
Are all online casinos open to Canadian players?
No. Every legal and reliable gaming operator needs to comply with different laws and regulations. At CanadaGamblingOnline.com, you will only find virtual casinos that are open to Canadian players and are safe to use!
What is a KYC procedure?
KYC stands for Know Your Customer. This procedure is nothing but an identity check and it acts as the money laundering prevention. Every provider of real money games is obliged by the authorities to do so. It also checks the age of players and the place of residence (which important for the legality of the games in different countries). The player is asked to provide proof of identity, which is usually sent to customer service as a copy of the identity card.
Do I need to enclose my financial data at online casinos?
Not necessarily. It depends on the chosen payment method - some of them do not require you to share any personal and financial details at all! Check out the most popular and convenient payment options at CanadaGamblingOnline.com for details.
Do online casinos offer the same games as land-based casinos?
Online casinos offer more variety than brick-and-mortar gaming establishments. Players can enjoy a much better selection of slots, as well as game tables in poker rooms, or when playing roulette and blackjack. Also, there are extra game variants that one will usually not find in a physical casino - be it scratchcards or Monopoly Live!