In the past few years, Canada has become ground zero for online gambling in North America. The citizens of the Great White North have the privilege of being able to choose between a plethora of world-class online casinos they can sign up with and play their favourite games.
But it’s not all black and white. There are a lot of intricacies involved in the process of choosing the right casino site — a lot of things you should learn before getting in on the action.
Online casino Canada offers the best gambling experiences with real money casino games and amazing bonuses and promotions. Top 10 Canadian Online Casinos is the best gambling guide in 2021. Find reliable Canadian gambling sites here, and Top 10 online casinos. All the top Canadian casino websites listed are fully licensed, and vetted by experts. All top-tier Canadian sites have a legitimate license and therefore it should be one of the first things you check when looking for a trusted online casino Canada. Certification is there to protect you from cheating scandals, fraud, and a host of other harmful issues and winning in gambling.
You should get familiarized with the legal aspects of online gambling in Canada and learn everything you possibly can about payment methods, bonuses, and other online casino related stuff.
The great news is that you don’t have to dig through the web to learn all of this — it’s right here, at your fingertips. You can think of this page as the ultimate guide to online casino gaming in Canada. By reading it from top to bottom, you’ll figure out:
Brace yourself, we have a lot of ground to cover!
Having so many options at your disposal is a blessing and a curse. The sheer amount of online casinos available makes it difficult for a recreational gambler from Canada to pick a genuinely great gambling site.
Worry not my Canadian gamblers — we’re going to help you make the right decision. We’ve pulled together market analysis, insights, and musings along with thoughts from our expert legal team to find the best online casinos in Canada.
Using our industry-leading selection process, we’ve weighed and measured every candidate over and over again. As a result of such extensive research, we’ve been able to separate the wheat from the chaff, listing only the absolute best brands.
Take your time and choose wisely!
CAD 250 | 5/5 |
2 | CAD 200 |
CAD 200 | 4.9/5 |
4 | CAD 500 |
CAD 2500 | 4.9/5 |
6 | CAD 125 |
CAD 200 | 4.8/5 |
8 | CAD 200 |
CAD 500 | 4/5 |
10 | CAD 2500 |
CAD 3500 | 4.0/5 |
12 | CAD 963 |
CAD 300 | 4.0/5 |
14 | CAD 3500 |
To determine whether or not a certain online casino has what it takes to be considered truly the best, we put every candidate through a series of tests. In these tests, we do a thorough assessment of every characteristic and feature offered by the operator. Ultimately, if the casino proves to be of higher quality than other applicants, we put it on our exclusive list and present it to you guys.
In the paragraphs below, you can see what went into the handpicking of our recommended online casinos. We wanted to be as transparent as possible so that you can focus on the high-quality gambling action and stop worrying about whether you made the right decision by trusting us.
If the online casino is properly regulated by a respected licensing jurisdiction, we proceed with our security checks. In this regard, we thoroughly examine the safety protocols the operator is using to protect its servers. Industry-standard security mechanisms include SSL encryption and high-end firewalls. With these in place, we are utterly confident that the online casino is safe to play in.
The site needs to work impeccably across all devices, including desktop and mobile. All the features should run smoothly, and the player should not have to worry about running into performance issues while playing.
What’s more, the design itself should be user-friendly and intuitive. The content needs to be well arranged so that you can easily find any feature, game, or option. We avoid gambling sites with flashy visuals which only slow down the response time. A nice, simplistic design is perfect.
More importantly, the fees attached to deposits and withdrawals should be low or non-existent. Withdrawal processing times are also something we take into consideration. We want you guys to get your hard-earned winnings as soon as possible — with three or four days at the most.
Gambling is a widely popular pastime in Canada. However, laws that regulate gambling activities are overly complex, much like they are in several other regions of the world.
At the moment, almost all forms of land-based gambling activities have been legalized by the Canadian government. As for online gambling, there hasn’t been a clear legal framework. Online gambling laws don’t specifically prohibit Canadians from using online gambling sites; only from operating one within the country’s borders.
So, from a player’s standpoint, it’s not illegal to play in an online casino — it’s only illegal to operate an internet casino from Canada. What’s interesting, and a bit paradoxical is that several iGaming operators are licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is the main gaming regulatory body in Canada.
From 1892 to 1969, Canada had a hostile stance towards gambling as only horse racing and charity lotteries and raffles were permitted in the country. A great breakthrough was made in 1969 when the Federal Government enacted a law that would allow 10 provinces in the country to host lotteries.
A turning point for the legalization of gambling in Canada happened in 1985 when the federal government put gambling firmly under provincial jurisdiction. This meant that every state was allowed to regulate the pastime on its own. However, the federal criminal code had not been changed at this point, which only added more confusion to the already complex matter.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, it’s illegal to run a betting house or to play in one. But it’s unknown whether this vague and obsolete language applies to online casinos.
In 2012, British Columbia launched the first legal online casino in Canada. Unfortunately, players would have to be physically present within the province’s borders at the time of playing, and no one outside of the state was allowed to register.
After reading all of this, you’re probably wondering how it is possible that Canadians have so many gambling options since the laws don’t allow gambling companies to establish operations in Canada. And the answer is — offshore casinos.
It’s perfectly legal for Canadian locals to enjoy their favourite casino games on offshore sites. The Criminal Code doesn’t address offshore gambling, and there is a horde of world-class casino sites offering their services to the residents of the Great White North. These gaming establishments operate from outside Canada, under licensing jurisdictions located in Malta, UK, or other regions.
These sites welcome Canadians with open arms, and they are perfect solutions for anyone looking for high-quality casino action.
It’s essential for an up-and-coming online casino that wants to make a name for itself in the fierce iGaming industry to offer a full suite of casino games. That way, they can cater to the needs of every player, regardless of his or her skills, interests, betting preference, and experience.
Each and every one of our featured online casinos boasts a diverse catalogue of games. Below, we’re going to talk about the three most popular categories of games available in Canadian online casinos. Stay tuned!
Slots are an integral part of every online casino and they are arguably the biggest attraction-point for casino players. Although gaming has evolved past the simplistic approach of slot machines, they are still immensely popular among gamblers.
There are several reasons why players choose slots over other casino games. Primarily it’s because they are easy to learn — even an absolute beginner can play them and there is no strategy involved.
Some players are attracted to slots because of the possibility to win mind-boggling sums with a single spin. You can win big even when playing on a tight budget, and that makes slots ideal for recreational gamblers.
Finally, today’s slots offer a staggering diversity in terms of characters, themes, and gameplay bonuses. When creating slots, developers are given plenty of space to experiment. Therefore, with each release, you can see something unique.
Slots are undeniably fun, but nothing can match the buzz and excitement of timeless casino classics like blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat. For almost a century now, these games have enjoyed vast popularity among gamblers, and things haven’t changed much with the advent of online casinos.
In Canadian online casinos, you can try out hundreds of different variants of table games. And unlike brick-and-mortar casinos, you don’t have to wait for hours for an open seat — just load the site, find your favourite game, and you can start playing immediately.
At our exclusive sites, you’ll find online versions of roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, and craps, all supplied by the world’s most innovative software developers. Let’s take a look at the most sought-after online casino table games in 2020:
Walk into any casino floor on the planet, and you’re bound to find at least a dozen blackjack tables; that’s how popular this iconic game is. What makes blackjack so captivating are its easy-to-learn rules, fast-paced gameplay, and industry-low house edge. Pretty much every online casino in Canada has free-play and real-money versions of blackjack. Some operators even offer exotic variants with jackpots and side bets.
Roulette is the most prevalent casino game, available in brick-and-mortar casinos and online. Over the years, many variations of roulette have been developed, though the core principle remained the same. All top-tier casino sites will offer the ‘Big 3’ of roulette — American, European, and French. The outcome of each roulette spin is determined by the RNG (Random Number Generator) and the house edge varies from one variation to another.
Poker depends mostly on skill. Although luck plays a significant role in the game, it’s possible to mitigate the luck aspect by making mathematically correct decisions and using proper strategy. Both recreational players and high rollers can find Caribbean Poker, Hold’em, and 3-card poker in most online casinos available for Canadians.
Contrary to popular belief, baccarat is not a game reserved for the upper echelon only. The game is super easy to learn, and has a massive payout potential, especially when playing banker bets. Most, if not all online casinos in Canada have a couple of Baccarat tables readily available.
If you’re into Vegas-style dice games, then craps just might be what the doctor ordered. Two dice and lots of potential wagers to make; there’s no need to brainstorm a strategy. It’s fun, fast-paced, and potentially extremely lucrative. Better yet, almost every online gaming establishment in Canada has at least a couple of craps games on offer.
Truth be told, there’s nothing that can quite match the buzz and adrenaline that comes with playing in land-based casinos. At least that was the case before live dealer casinos emerged. Live dealer casinos mimic the thrilling atmosphere of a brick-and-mortar casino, but you can play them without having to drive hundreds of miles to the nearest gambling venue.
The action you see in live dealer casinos happens in real-time, with real, professional croupiers managing the games. It’s truly the best of both worlds — you get the convenience and speed of an online casino and the social interaction and excitement of a real casino.
The games are broadcasted via HD cameras from world-class casino studios and then streamed to players’ PCs or mobile devices. The action is shot from several angles to make the entire experience more immersive. You have the option of communicating with the dealer via chat.
Evolution Gaming is the undisputed king of live casino software. Most online casinos in Canada have teamed up with the esteemed provider to provide a cutting-edge live casino experience. Here are some live dealer classics you’ll probably run into, regardless of which casino you sign up with:
The advent of smartphones has contributed to the development of mobile casino gaming. It’s now possible to play your favourite casino games from any location on the planet, as long as you have a compatible device and a stable internet connection.
There are two ways one can enjoy on-the-go casino gaming — via instant play casinos or mobile apps.
For the first type, you don’t need to download any software. Just load the casino site via your mobile browser (Chrome, Mozilla, Opera, Safari), and you can start playing. The majority of online casinos in Canada have been developed in HTML5, which means that they work smoothly across most devices and operating systems. They are basically exact replicas of their desktop versions, offering the same features and games.
Some casinos have released native apps for iOS and Android users. You can easily download them on the casino’s website, or the Google/App Stores. The installation process is straightforward and it takes only a couple of minutes to set everything up. The only downside to casino apps is that they usually feature fewer games than instant play casinos.
Free play casinos are just like they sound — they give you a chance to play casino games for free, in demo mode. This is great for beginners who want to learn the basics of casino gaming, or maybe learn how a particular game is played. Once you get familiar with the betting structure, gameplay mechanics, and bonus features, you can switch to real-money mode.
Even advanced players can use free-play casinos to hone their skills and try out different strategies. Just think of how many times you were afraid to try something new because you didn’t want to risk losing your money. Well, here you can do it without having to pay a single cent.
Bonuses are the biggest advantage online casinos have over their land-based counterparts. These incredible treats give players a chance to get a hefty bankroll boost when they sign up for an account on an online gambling site. With the iGaming industry so fiercely competitive, gambling operators use bonuses and promotions as incentive tools, to attract as many players as possible, while keeping the existing customers engaged.
Online casino bonuses come in different shapes and sizes. Usually, there is a massive welcome bonus coupled with several ongoing promos.
This is where it all begins. As soon as you sign up with a Canadian online casino, you’ll be greeted with a gigantic sign-up offer. The size of the welcome bonus is usually a deciding factor for those looking for an online casino to play in.
A welcome, or sign-up bonus is given to new customers — those that never deposited any money on the site. The most common type of welcome bonus is a match bonus. Basically, the casino will match your deposit up to a certain percentage. For example, the operator may offer a 100% match deposit bonus up to C$2,000. That means that if you deposit C$2,000, you will receive an additional C$2,000 of bonus money to play with.
Usually, the casino will also throw some free spins into the welcome package. You may get 200 or even more free spins on popular slot releases like Book of Dead, Starburst, and so forth.
To claim a welcome bonus, your initial deposit must exceed the minimum deposit requirement, which is usually around C$20. In some instances, the sign-up offer may be broken down into several match bonuses, for the first couple of deposits you make on the site.
As the name implies, the no deposit casino bonus doesn’t require you to make any deposits beforehand. You merely have to sign up for an account, submit the bonus code, and you’ll receive a small amount of cash or free spins. The no deposit bonus usually comes with a winnings cap, which is around C$100. It’s also worth mentioning that no deposit bonus is hard to come by — only a handful of operators offer them.
This type of bonus partially refunds the cash you’ve spent on playing casino games. The return percentage is usually around 10%, but you could have a total of C$500 (or more) returned as bonus money.
Cashback bonuses are usually offered to high rollers or those who spend substantial amounts of cash on the site. The great thing about these offers is that they don’t come with any wagering requirements. As soon as you get your money back, you can withdraw it, if you wish to do so.
Free spins are particularly popular among slot players. Pretty much every online casino in Canada rolls out a couple of free spins bonuses, for both new and existing players. The spins can usually be used only on eligible games — a specific slot or a group of slots by a particular provider.
Reload bonuses work similarly to welcome bonuses, with a couple of small differences. The most notable one is that reload bonuses are offered to existing customers only, whereas welcome bonuses are exclusive to new players. Another difference is seen in the match percentage, which is usually around 50% with reload bonuses.
Some online casinos in Canada try to expand their user bases by offering a refer-a-friend bonus. Basically, they want you to invite your friends, and for every friend that registers on the site using a special link and makes a small deposit, you’ll be awarded free cash.
Online casinos in Canada run VIP and/or Loyalty programs to reward their most consistent players. These programs have a multi-tier structure, and as you move up the levels, you will earn increasingly rewarding perks. You could get faster withdrawal times, a personalized manager, customized bonuses, birthday presents, and more.
Most Canadian online casinos are located offshore, which makes it difficult for some players to finalize their payments. Fortunately, Canadian-friendly gambling sites accept a wide range of easy-to-use and safe options for depositing and withdrawing.
The most commonly offered options include debit and credit cards, e-wallets, and bank wire transfer. Visa, Mastercard and Interac are accepted by almost every online casino in Canada. You can also find a couple of e-wallets, which are particularly popular due to their ease of use, and discretion.
Most Canadian online casinos also offer prepaid providers like PaySafeCard. Mobile payment services like Boku and Zimpler are also available at most sites. Cryptocurrencies are also gaining momentum, but have not been integrated into many casino sites.
Typically, there won’t be any fees involved in casino transactions. As a rule of thumb, deposits are processed instantly, while withdrawals may take up to several days to process.
Most players aren’t particularly comfortable with sharing their personal info and banking details, which is why cybersecurity in online casinos is more critical than ever. Top casino sites employ cutting-edge security measures to ensure the safety and integrity of their users.
If you sign up with an online casino from our list, you can rest assured that your money, as well as your personal details, will remain hidden from prying eyes. To ensure this, operators use SSL encryption and advanced firewalls. These preventive measures make it impossible for any unauthorized third party to gain access to players’ sensitive data.
Our journey has come to an end. As you can see, the online casino industry in Canada is blossoming. With so many options at your disposal, all that remains is to find a gambling site that will fulfill your expectations. Make sure to check out our list — there may be some candidates worthy of consideration.
We urge you to gamble responsibly, regardless of what you choose. Good luck and we wish you all the best in your future gambling endeavours!
The Most Legit Canadian Online Casinos
Yes, it is ok to gamble on the internet folks. If you are a Canadian resident who has been unsure whether or not you can play your favorite casino games from the comfort of your own home, you no longer have to worry. While there’s no writing or law in place that encourages people to gamble and place wagers online, there’s nothing against it either.
With over 1,000 online sites open for operation and nobody ever prosecuted or arrested for participating, we feel safe in saying that you can play casino games online. Canadian residents have a plethora of choices when it comes to where to play their favorite table games.
Rank | DE Gambling Site | Sign Up Bonus | Get Started |
---|---|---|---|
#1 | Betway Casino | 100% up to €250 | |
#2 | Europa Casino | 200% up to €500 | |
#3 | Jackpot City Casino | 100% up to €400 | |
#4 | Spinia | 100% up to €250 | |
#5 | Spin Casino | 100% up to €400 |
Instead of having you spend your valuable time researching which sites are the most optimal to play on, we did you a big favor. Don’t worry about being frustrated or disappointed by the fraudulent and sketchy sites. The sites we recommended above will offer you the most sincere and satisfying online casino experience out there.
We want you to have faith in the sites we listed at the top of this page. While some review sites unfortunately accept fees and “blindly recommend online casinos,” we do quite the opposite. We spend extensive time and energy sifting through sites to determine which ones are “up to snuff.”
If anything looks hairy or smells even a bit funny, we simply cross it off. We understand that playing casino games online can be a questionable proposition for those who have little to no experience with the online gaming industry. Have confidence knowing the sites we suggested above are the best options for Canadian residents. Here’s why:
Due to the fact that your banking and personal information are very serious and private matters, we take this step very seriously. As long as you are able to win money at the casino games you choose to play, you will have no issues withdrawing those winnings.
When there is a responsible and sophisticated member from the customer service team readily available, these problems can be “nipped in the bud” relatively quickly.
Having an accountable team of representatives to help out and respond to e-mails used to be a bonus. In today’s day and age, it is simply a requirement.
The point is, in order for an online casino to be “up to par” and meet today’s standards, the site needs to give their potential customers options. The most popular and demanded casino games out there can easily be found on the sites we recommended. Not everyone likes to play the same games and not everyone has the same bankroll and plays the same limits.
Note:Having a wide variety of casino games with limits small and large enough to keep everyone happy is crucial to being a successful and sustainable online casino. The operators are well aware that they need to open users’ eyes to an abundance of choices. These sites checked that box with flying colors.
We could continue going on and on about why the sites we selected to place at the top of our page are the best out there. This segment focus on the main factors we took into account when deciding which sites we thought were the best overall.
Now that you know where to sign up and why these sites are the best, let’s discuss what is so appealing about playing casino games online anyway.
As we mentioned in the introduction, many residents in Canada have been unclear on the laws and regulations surrounding online gambling in their home country. Government officials have conveniently failed to come out with a specific set of guidelines or literature that explains the state of online gambling.
What they have also not done is gone after a single individual for playing casino games online. The only thing you have to worry about is playing your best and trying to win money. If you are still unsure about making the switch from brick and mortar casinos to the virtual scene, let us offer you some reasons that may help make the decision easier.
Depending on which province or region you reside in, you may or may not even have a local casino at your disposal. Land-based casinos are prevalent throughout the country, but that doesn’t mean everyone has access to them. The good news is that the online casinos are open for business, and they are thriving.
Forget about putting on a fancy outfit and figuring out your transportation just to go play a few hands of blackjack. With just a few clicks, you can be deciding whether or not to hit or stay on that 16 with the dealer showing a 7!
Taking a trip to the casino means being amongst a large crowd of people. The majority of these patrons on the casino floor will be intoxicated and probably not overly concerned about you or your personal space. Some people enjoy being involved in all the hoopla that is a casino. Many are just looking to have some drinks and play some casino games for pure entertainment.
Note:If you are someone who wants to take online casino games seriously and try and turn a profit, you will most likely have a much easier time staying focused at the task at hand should you play online.
One thing you will notice when you first sign up for a new site is that you are asked if you want to enter a bonus or promotional code along with your initial deposit.
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
They are basically offering you free money, as long as you are active on their site.
In some cases, your account may be credited up to as much as the amount of that first deposit. Other sites allow players to rack up “points” based on how many dollars they gamble. Those points can then be used to purchase gear and accessories and sometimes even can be converted into real money.
The point is, online sites cater to their customers and want to make playing casino games on their site easy and enjoyable. We are yet to find someone who turns down “free money.” Take advantage of all the promotions and bonuses.
You are getting awfully close to being ready and prepared to start playing your favorite casino games online. You know where to sign up, you know which sites are the best, and you are at least getting close to being convinced that online casinos are an easy and fun way to gamble.
The next order of business is fairly straightforward. It’s choosing the right site that meets your needs. This may take a little bit of experimenting, but that’s ok. Some sites you may find easier to use and navigate through than others.
You may find a site that accepts your deposits instantly while others take up to 24 hours. Whatever the case may be, certain sites are going to appeal to you more than others. There’s only one way to find out which ones satisfy your personal needs the most.
We can’t stress this topic enough ladies and gentlemen: try multiple sites. We told you about the bonuses and promotions that each site offers.
Another advantage to checking out all the sites we mentioned is to get a full grasp of all the casino games that are offered. For example, slot machines come in all shapes and sizes with all sorts of themes. The best way to find the perfect fit for you is to experiment and see what’s out there.
Once you get a scope for the full range of games, you will have a good feel for which sites specialize in which areas. For example, you may enjoy playing baccarat on one site but prefer playing Keno or Craps on another.
When you open up your computer or tablet to start playing casino games online, you are doing it to have a good time and to try and make some money. You deserve to play the games you want to play at the limits you want to play them at. Just taking a little bit of time to do some “trial and error” will allow you to get the maximum joy out of your online gambling experience.
As far as your safety and the legality, you can breathe a sigh of relief as long as you play on the sites we suggested. Not only do they permit Canadian residents, they happen to be the top-notch sites available.
Our team of online casino experts was diligent in their processes for coming up with the best sites for you. These sites are not only extremely reputable, but they have no issues with accepting your action no matter which region of Canada you reside in.
Note:It would be difficult to fully enjoy your online gambling experience if you were paranoid and caught up with worrying if it is okay. By signing up for the sites at the top of this page, you can forget about all of that. Your biggest concern will be finding the right games and hopefully getting a little lucky here and there!
We want you to explore all of the sites we listed; that way you don’t miss out on anything. You may find a better selection of slot machines on a couple sites while others seem more user-friendly. The more sites you join allows you to be in the running for more bonuses and “cash back.”
Whatever it is that appeals to you in an online casino can be found by just fiddling around with different sites. There’s no harm in testing the sites out; it’s the logical thing to do.
When looking for a new car or a new home, you check out several options and see what is the best fit for you. Why should shopping for which online sites you want to play on be any different?
Important:Whether you happen to live near a casino or not, the online versions will have something for you to offer. The convenience of being able to click a few buttons from the comfort of your own home and be playing table games in a few moments is tough to beat.
Maybe you live near the Casino de Montreal or perhaps you are clear over on the western region near the River Rock Casino Resort in BC. We aren’t saying going to the land-based venues aren’t a great option, but the fact of the matter is it’s a lot quicker and easier to just play the games online. When taking full advantage of the best sites, you will have what seems like limitless options.
We want you to get the absolute most out of your online casino experience. It was important to not only tell you which sites are trustworthy and available to you, but explain why and give you reasons to want to explore for yourself. You won’t know how much fun you are missing out on until you give it a shot.