Best Online Casinos in Canada December 2024
The best online casinos in Canada prioritize game selection, excellent customer service, loyalty programs, and trustworthy business practices. In this section, we cover the top online casinos and why they check all the boxes — and then some. Not all online casinos are created equal, and some can be downright unsafe. To protect yourself and ensure you get the best bang for your buck, stick to our list of the best online Canadian casinos below!
bet365
Known primarily as a leader in the sports betting industry, bet365 also offers one of the best online casinos in Canada. Excelling in the live casino games category, bet365 Live Casino features the largest selection of table games in Canada, all with the highest-quality live streams. At a glance, Canadian players can see how many other gamblers are active at a table, the minimum stake, and where the dealer is located. For games like roulette, players can even view what was most recently rolled.
Under the bet365 brand, the bet365 Canada sportsbook and online casino also offer casino sites entirely dedicated to poker, bingo, and games. Bingo is few and far between at most online gambling sites, but bet365 provides a modern, highly engaging 75, 90, and 30-ball bingo experience. Over on the poker side, players are met with a sleek casino experience filled with no-limit cash games, Twister games, and featured tables. With all that said, bet365 excels in its game selection, which features over 1,500 video slots, jackpots, megaways, instant wins, and so much more.
Pros of bet365 Casino:
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Simple, sleek, easy-to-navigate layout
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High payout jackpots, often reaching multi-millions
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High-quality video streams for live dealer games
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Large selection of video slots, jackpot games, and megaways
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One of few online casinos in Canada with Bingo
Cons of bet365 Casino:
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No phone number is available to contact bet365
Sports Interaction
As the name suggests, Sports Interaction is another excellent sportsbook available to Canadians, but it also offers one of the top online casinos in Canada. Sports Interaction is owned by Mohawk Online Limited, a Canadian gaming operator that frequently gains exclusive first rights to Playtech casino games.
Players who want first dibs on Playtech's newest games can get in on all the action early at Sports Interaction's new release section. If you're more of a slot games fan, Sports Interaction has plenty of options here, too, with some of the most popular Vegas originals, jackpot slots, and a whole section dedicated to Drops & Wins.
Unfortunately, when it comes to game quantity, Sports Interaction is on the lower end of the industry benchmark at about 1,700+. For most gamblers, 1,700 casino games is more than enough, but for players seeking constant variety, you may run out of options within a year. Where Sports Interaction Casino truly excels is in its promotions and loyalty offers, as well as ongoing tournaments.
Please note that these offers are not available for residents of Ontario. New players at SIA casino can claim a generous welcome bonus of $3,000 in matched deposits, while loyal users can snag a daily free spin or a bonus of $10 on the slot of the day.
Pros of Sports Interaction Casino:
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Excellent ongoing promotional offers (not available to residents of Ontario)
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One wallet system makes it easy to switch between the casino and sportsbook
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Large selection of Drops & Wins slot games
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Exclusive access to new Playtech releases
Cons of Sports Interaction Casino:
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Few deposit methods available to Canadians
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Live dealer games can feel dated
ComeOn!
ComeOn! Casino and Sportsbook is a relative newcomer to the online casino Canada space, but they've quickly established themselves as an excellent option for gamblers. With some of the best online casino games in Canada, ComeOn! delivers an immersive gambling experience with more than 3,600 options to explore. While Pragmatic Play and Play 'n Go online casino games make up most of their library, ComeOn! also works with several lesser-known independent providers to bring you a wider selection of choices.
ComeOn! has several unique features on its casino site, such as WeSpin and its crown points system. For players missing the appeal of in-person gambling, the WeSpin feature at ComeOn! offers a community playing experience for users.
Like online video gaming, WeSpin allows players to spin together or watch others try their luck on slots. As for the points system, players are awarded crowns for completing tasks, which can then be exchanged in the casino shop for free spins on select games. Some crowns are awarded for playing a certain number of dollars, while others are awarded simply for logging in.
Pros of ComeOn! Casino:
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Over 3,600 online casino games available
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Large selection of live gameshows
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Added social element with WeSpin feature
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Tons of ongoing bonus offers and loyalty clubs (not for residents of Ontario)
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Allows players to try games before playing real money
Cons of ComeOn! Casino:
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Minimal selection of table games
888Casino
Next on our list of the best online casinos in Canada, 888Casino is a veteran in the industry and brings Canadians an excellent mix of standard and live casino games. Players can access the live casino, slots, jackpots, and 888 exclusives from the home screen. 888Casino excels in the jackpot department, offering daily jackpot prizes of thousands of dollars. Players can also take a stab at the mega jackpots for a big win or 8-hour pots that reward players much more regularly.
888Casino is also one of the few providers that excels at offering table games outside of the live casino. While many live dealer games are available, players can also select classic roulette, blackjack, video poker, regular poker, and even scratch cards.
Finally, 888Casino offers several excellent casino bonuses, including a welcome offer of $1,000 in matched deposits. Please note that casino promotional offers are not available to residents of Ontario.
Pros of 888Casino:
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Offers a desktop app for a fully immersive experience
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Only online gambling provider with scratch cards
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Largest selection of classic casino table games
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Excellent daily promotions for select games (not available in Ontario)
Cons of 888Casino:
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Layout can be distracting and difficult to navigate
Casumo Casino
Casumo stands out as one of the best online casinos in Canada for its user interface, exciting ongoing promotional offers, and high-value jackpots. Casumo has completely stepped away from typical casino layouts, challenging the traditional listed game style with big, bold colors and unique imagery. Casumo's attention to style and detail creates an engaging, eye-catching platform that draws players in. With a fully stocked live casino featuring roulette, game shows, online poker, blackjack, and over 2000 slots and jackpots, Casumo gets a lot right at their Canadian online casino.
Casumo has promotional offers and jackpot tournaments to keep you returning for more. New players can snag 100% Up To $2000 Deposit Match + 99 Bonus Spins when they log in for the first time. If tournaments are more your thing, they offer weekly Reel Races with a progressive prize pool that players can win.
Please note that the offers mentioned on this page are not available to residents of Ontario.
Pros of Casumo Casino:
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Exceptional, modern user interface that elevates the experience
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Casumo Adventure system removes the wagering requirements on casino bonuses
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Weekly tournaments, prizes, and valuables awarded
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High-value jackpot games, progressive jackpots, and Must Drop slots
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Players can demo all games prior to playing real money
Cons of Casumo Casino:
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Missing some key popular games by Pragmatic Play
TonyBet
If you're bored of the typical online slots available at the other Canadian casinos, let us introduce you to TonyBet Casino. The star of online slots in Canada, TonyBet is an online sports betting and Canadian online casino with over 7,000 interactive slot games. While this online casino site has plenty more to choose from, it offers a comprehensive host of popular slot games in addition to lesser-known names that players can try their luck at. There are many options for Drops & Wins, jackpots, mega spin tournaments, and seasonal games.
Beyond its slot games, TonyBet makes our list of the best online casino sites for its frequent payout percentage and leaderboard scorekeeping. Players can see all current and past winners at TonyBet and on which games, so they can rest assured this is a legit online operator.
Over on the live casino games section, TonyBet has a robust library of blackjack, online poker, online roulette, baccarat, and popular game shows. With high-quality streams and professional dealers, the live dealer games at TonyBet are easily some of the best online.
Pros of TonyBet Casino:
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More than 7,000 slot games to choose from
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Exclusive bonuses are available to new and returning players (not available to residents of Ontario)
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Features unique games not frequently available at other online casinos
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Accepts cryptocurrency
Cons of TonyBet Casino:
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Missing a table games tab in the main casino lobby
Pinnacle Casino
Players seeking a lucrative online casino bonus won't find it at Pinnacle Casino. Instead, this online sportsbook and gambling site is known for offering Canada's sharpest sports betting lines. What this means for gamblers is that Pinnacle is for the professionals; they use a winner's welcome mantra across their site because they're known for their high limits and lucrative payouts. With high cryptocurrency withdrawal limits and a minimum withdrawal of at least 3x your deposit, Pinnacle is an excellent choice for players who plan to bet big and win big.
For its casino games, Pinnacle works with some of the top providers in the online gambling industry to provide players with a wide selection. From Hacksaw and Spinoleague to Drops & Wins and Megaways, they have over 2,500 casino games available. At the live casino, Canadians can play online casino games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and game shows. Unfortunately, there isn't much available for poker at this time.
Pros of Pinnacle Casino:
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Best Canada sports betting odds available
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Hundreds of new games added weekly
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Tons of Esports and Virtual sports betting options
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High-quality live casino games
Cons of Pinnacle Casino:
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Limited options for online poker
PowerPlay Casino
Licensed in Curacao and operating since 2018, PowerPlay Casino has already established itself as a go-to provider for many Canadian bettors. With a variety of games, a live casino platform, a fully operational sportsbook, and speedy withdrawals, PowerPlay Casino has been an impressive operator.
New customers can take advantage of a three-tiered welcome bonus: a 100% match up to $200 on the first deposit, a 100% match up to $500 on the second deposit, and a 100% match up to $300 on the third deposit with 35x wagering requirements.
For more details, read our PowerPlay Casino review.
Types of Online Casinos in Canada
While most online casinos have similar offerings, some will try to differentiate based on payouts, winnings, and game variety. Some casinos will offer a mobile version, while others will offer high return-to-player (RTP) percentages to attract high rollers. Even if online casinos aren't available in your region, there is the option of checking out social casinos such as Crown Coins. For those who enjoy sweepstakes games, SweepSlots Casino offers a vast selection. And if you're seeking a specific feature in a casino, we suggest reviewing these common types of online casinos below.
Fast Payout Casinos
As the name suggests, fast-payout casinos typically process withdrawals faster. This allows players to receive their winnings faster than the average online casino. A casino that processes payments within 24 hours can be considered fast, but some casinos are challenging the status quo and processing withdrawals in 8 hours or less.
Withdrawal time largely depends on the casino staff's ability to authorize a withdrawal request. Most online casinos need to assess a withdrawal to ensure the request is legitimate, after which they will send the funds through your chosen payment method. Players should remember that certain cash out methods, like wire transfers, take a minimum of 5 days and that the depositing time is not within the casino's control.
Mobile Casinos
In 2024, nearly all online casinos offer a mobile version of their site. A mobile casino can either be a downloadable app or a mobile-responsive site that players can access through their mobile web browser.
The best mobile casinos offer the same casino games and functionality as their desktop counterparts. They also prioritize user-friendliness, loading speed, and gaming experience. Mobile casinos have become more popular, largely because of their on-the-go convenience.
New Online Casinos
A new online casino is a recently launched and licensed casino available to Canadian players. Typically, new online casinos will offer various incentives for new players to join, such as lucrative welcome bonuses or free spins. Please note that these offers are not available to residents of Ontario.
In addition, new online casinos may offer an updated selection of games from innovative software providers to attract bettors. Not all new online casinos will be able to offer promotions and new games, but it's worth it for players to sign up and try them out.
High Payout Casinos
For players seeking the excitement of betting big and winning big, you'll want to pursue a high-payout casino like Pinnacle. High payout casinos typically offer players a higher RTP on games, particularly on slots, which enable players to take home more in winnings. High payout casinos also typically offer no-limit or high limit live dealer tables, allowing players to bet high and win high.
These casinos tend to be very transparent about their payout rates, as they want to attract bettors looking for high payout potential. They also prioritize high-limit and fast withdrawals so players can access the funds they've won. Players should be aware that most high limit casinos do not allow players to withdraw under a certain threshold, such as less than 3x of their deposit.
Canadian Online Casinos to Avoid
Not all online casinos are created equal, and some are downright dangerous. While even the best online casinos in Canada operate within the grey market, players should avoid casinos labelled as offshore. Typically, these are blacklisted casinos with known reports of scamming players. If a review site recommends any of the online casinos listed here, players should be skeptical of those websites.
Planet 7
Planet 7 is owned by the Virtual Casino group, an organization with a strong reputation for slow payments, capped deposits, and failing to pay players. There have even been reports of hacked bank accounts and winnings vanishing from player accounts. The casino is not licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and operates in Costa Rica — a region known for running casino scams. All in all, there are better options out there.
Balzac Casino
Another blacklisted casino, Balzac Casino, is a shady site with a questionable license to operate. While the site claims to be licensed by the Government of Curacao, which would enable them to operate in the Canadian grey market, they have no official licensing number or badge on their site to prove it. Likely, this is another site operating out of Costa Rica, run by scammers looking to steal your money.
21 Dukes
21 Dukes Casino is primarily known for engaging in unethical business practices. Though this may sound counterintuitive, affiliate marketing in the casino industry is a sign of a legitimate casino. Affiliates who refuse to work with a casino typically do so because of malpractice — which is precisely the case for 21 Dukes. Players rarely see bonus payouts, the customer service team is non-responsive, and they do not have a valid license to operate. Overall, it's best to spend your money elsewhere.
Features to Rank Canadian Online Casinos
So, what makes for the best Canadian online casino? We meticulously assess key features at the best online casinos in Canada that affect player experience, safety, and enjoyment. Playing online casino games should be fun and stress-free; players shouldn't have to worry about scam sites or unethical business practices.
Additionally, online gambling sites may have excellent casino games variety, but if they don't deliver on winnings, bonuses, or withdrawal methods, the hassle of getting your winnings takes away from the good times. That's why we only recommend sites that we would play at and do so using the following criteria:
Welcome Bonuses & Promos
Most Canadian online casinos offer a welcome bonus and several ongoing promotional offers. While these offers are not available to residents of Ontario, Canadians in the rest of the country should strongly consider the free offers they receive before selecting a casino. After all, if you're going to spend money at an online casino, you should also get some free perks.
When we assess Canadian casino bonuses, we look at the total deposit match amount, the wagering requirements, and the percentage match amount. We also carefully review the terms and conditions to ensure nothing is too outlandish. Overall, the gambling sites on our list all offer fairly standard bonuses with reasonable, fair wagering requirements. Exceptions like Pinnacle, which does not offer bonuses, compensate for this in other ways.
Game Variation
While bonuses are excellent perks, the real meat of assessing a real money online casino comes down to the casino games available. While we typically rank casinos based on variety, some casinos also rank well for excelling in one particular category.
Gambling sites that don't rank well don't include popular games by renowned providers, miss entire categories of games, or simply don't offer a good variety. The best casinos offer real-money casino games in addition to demo games and a good mix of slots, table games, live dealer games, and one or two specialty items.
Mobile App Accessibility
Next, we assess the casino's mobile app experience. Most people play online casino games from their phone, not a desktop computer, so whether an online casino has a good app can really make or break the online gambling experience. Some Canadian casinos, such as Pinnacle, do not have an app at all.
Overall, we look at factors like ease of use, reliability, game quality, and whether the mobile casino games are the same as those on desktop. Some apps are painstakingly slow to load, which is a non-starter for us when it comes to live dealer casino games. For those who dislike using an app, we also look at the site's mobile versions and assess how responsive they are on different screen sizes.
User Experience
Even the best real money online casinos can have a poor user experience, which makes this another important factor to consider. A gambling site can have hundreds of casino games, but if the navigation and layout are so poor we can't find them all, what's the point of having them in the first place?
This is why user experience is important. No one wants to deal with a frustratingly slow website or a broken search feature. Players must find what they need quickly, easily, and efficiently without running into issues like slow (or broken) withdrawals, sessions timing out too soon, or location errors. Looking for a smooth, simple gameplay experience is key.
Payout Speeds
When ranking the best online casinos Canada has to offer, payout speed is a critical factor to asses for. It can feel immensely frustrating if a Canadian online casino takes multiple days to pay out a player's winnings. In addition, scam casinos are particularly known for taking multiple days to pay out players, if ever at all.
For this reason, we look for legit online casinos that take no more than 1-3 days to pay the player winnings. Payments that take a bit longer are usually due to the chosen payment method and not with the casino itself. However, the review team at the best online casinos should only need a day at most to confirm a transaction as legitimate.
How to Choose the Right Canada Online Casino
Not all casinos are created equal, and some are downright unsafe. To protect yourself, your time, and your hard-earned dollars, take a minute to assess which casino is right for you. From the selection of casino games to payment methods, customer support options, and cash-out speed, there's much to consider before committing to one casino site.
Mostly, these factors will come down to personal preference, which players can determine through use. The top factors players should assess for, however, include the following.
Read Reviews
Some casino reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, but sometimes they're worth assessing. Be wary of players complaining about rollover requirements, as all casinos use them as standard practice and list them in the bonus terms and conditions. Instead, look for casino reviews that mention customer service, payout speed, game selection, or other factors you may not have considered. Real reviews can provide invaluable knowledge about a casino's business practices before you play there.
Check for Licensed Online Casinos
If nothing else, always ensure the casino you play with holds a valid license. Casinos based in Costa Rica are notorious for scamming players, and it's no surprise they rarely have a valid license to operate. Online casinos licensed by the AGCO, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, or the Curaçao Gaming Control Board are generally considered safe, legitimate casinos that payout players fairly.
Analyze Bonuses
Not all casino bonuses are easy to obtain, and players should always be skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true. Even the best online casinos are businesses, and businesses don't like to give away free money. So, players should assess the amounts being promised and the terms and conditions required to earn them.
Players should accept bonuses that reward them for spending an amount they would spend anyway and not encourage them to play above their limit. Largely, players should look for free spins, daily draws, and rewards for loyalty. Please note that bonuses are not available to residents of Ontario.
Review Game Selection
Players should consider the availability of casino games before selecting an online casino in Canada. While all casino sites typically offer various slot games, not all casinos have excellent live dealer games, table games, or exclusive games. Depending on your interests, it's a good idea to browse through the casino games available and try demo versions of a few to see if you like them. Game quality, ease of use, and RTP are all important things to consider.
What Online Casino Games Are Best in CA
While countless types of games are available at online casinos, tried-and-true favorites like slot games and roulette continue to dominate the market. Online casinos in Canada typically offer the most popular options, like table games and video slots, while scratch cards are few and far between.
Read more about the most popular Canadian casino games below.
Slot Games
Slot games are one of the most popular types of real money casino games because they're so easy and straightforward to use. Online slots are always a game of chance, and random number generators are used to ensure fairness. While most slots operate similarly, the pay tables differ for every game.
The pay tables are the rules that determine which combinations of symbols return a win. Before starting, players should select their bet amount and the number of pay lines they want to play with. These numbers increase and decrease the risk with each bet, affecting the value of winnings.
In addition, some slots include jackpots, multipliers, and free spins that can be triggered. Some popular online slot games include Sweet Bonanza and Gates of Olympus.
Roulette
Roulette combines luck and strategy but mostly comes down to understanding the rules of odds. While some players believe rolling a red means the next roll is more likely to be black, the truth is that each independent roll has a 50/50 chance either way.
Players can also wager on specific numbers, whether the result will be odd or even or if the numbers are low or high. Once bets are placed, the ball is rolled, and the result is revealed. At most online casinos, players can choose from American, French, or European roulette, which have slight variations in rules and numbers.
Blackjack
Online blackjack can be played against the computer with a random number generator or in the live casino against a real dealer. Both are equally fun options with the same goal: get as close to 21 without going over and beat the dealer. In blackjack, numbered cards are worth their face value, and aces can be 1 or 11, depending on the individual game's rules. Both players start with two cards and add cards from there until they decide to hold. All casinos have various versions of Blackjack, often including exclusive games at each casino.
Video Poker
Video poker is available at most online casinos and blends traditional poker rules with slot games. Users can also select traditional poker and play with a live dealer if they choose. Players start by placing their bets and are then dealt a five-card hand. They must decide which cards to keep and which to discard to make the best possible poker hand. While some element of chance is involved in video poker, skill is also required to make the best poker hand.
Baccarat
Most online casinos will offer baccarat as part of their live dealer games, but occasionally, they will be offered as part of the RNG table games. To start the game, players bet that the dealer will win, they will win, or that the result will be a tie.
Each player is dealt two cards, and the hand closest to a total of 9 wins. If either player's hand equals double digits, the second digit is the value of the hand. If a player were to draw 18, their hand would be equal to 8. Baccarat has several different variations, all with rules players should familiarize themselves with.
Craps
You'll find craps at some online casinos. Craps is a popular dice game played in casinos where players bet on the outcome of the roll, or a series of rolls, of two dice. The game involves various betting options, and the excitement often comes from the communal nature of the game, with players cheering for or against the shooter (the person rolling the dice).
If you're familiar with craps odds, you'll know that craps has some of the lowest house edge bets you can find!
Bingo
While less popular than other games, online bingo (and slingo) has become more available at online Canadian casinos. Like traditional bingo, players purchase a card or make a bet (depending on the game's rules) and mark numbers off on their cards as they are called out.
Cards will either need to form a line or full house, again depending on how the game is played. As for slingo, the game combines elements of bingo with slot games and spins to determine the numbers that will be marked off on the bingo card.
How to Play at Canadian Online Casinos
It's easy to play at the best online casinos Canada has to offer. Most sites have very straightforward sign-up processes and welcome players nationwide. You'll need to be prepared to provide some personal details, a method of payment, and valid proof of legal gambling age, similar to wagering at land-based casinos. Remember to play smart, choose a safe online casino, and stay within your limit.
Follow the steps below to get started!
Choose the Right Casino
Use the criteria listed above to select the right casino for you. There's no limit to the number of casinos Canadians can sign up for, but it makes life easier if you sign up for a good one right away. Consider criteria like other players' reviews on customer service and withdrawal times, as these two factors can make or break a casino experience.
Most of all, choose a reputable, safe, trustworthy Canadian casino online to protect your money and personal details.
Sign Up & Register
Next, follow the registration steps involved with signing up at your chosen online casino to get started. Most online casino sites will request your first and last name, email, home address, date of birth, and phone number. You must create a secure password to protect your account and select account recovery questions. Finally, players must verify their email and upload a government-issued photo ID to verify their age and identity. Accounts are typically verified within 1-2 business days.
Make A Deposit
While your account is being verified, make your first deposit! Simply navigate to the cashier section of your chosen real-money online casino, select your preferred payment method, and enter the amount you want to deposit. You may need to verify the payment with your credit card or e-wallet, after which the payment should come through. Payments via Visa, Mastercard, or Interac are typically instant, and the funds should appear in your account immediately.
Play to Win
To withdraw, your account and identity must be verified. We highly recommend completing this step early. Otherwise, once you have funds to play with, you can start playing your favorite slot games, table games, and more. Remember to play responsibly and within your limit.
Canada Online Casinos Bonus Types
In the world of online casinos, bonuses are a common tactic used to lure new players and reward loyal ones. While some bonuses require large wagering requirements to be met, others are fairly easy to secure. Bonuses should never be used as an incentive to bet more, but instead as a reward for gambling an amount you would spend anyway as part of your budget.
In the section below, we discuss some of Canada's most common casino bonuses. Please note that bonuses, promotions, and offers from casinos are not available to residents of Ontario.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is a staple at most real money online casinos. Typically, casinos will offer to match your first deposit with an amount equal to or greater than your deposit. This is expressed as a percentage between 80% and 150%, but occasionally up to 200% matched. Welcome bonuses are also subject to an upper limit, usually between $500 and $3,000. Players should know that welcome bonuses come with steep wagering requirements, such as betting 30x your initial deposit. To claim a $1,000 bonus, players would need to gamble $30,000 just to be eligible.
For that reason, gamblers should always read the terms and conditions before using a welcome bonus. Players can secure the best Canadian online casino bonus from Sports Interaction (100% match on $3000) or ComeOn! (150% match on $1,500).
Remember, these offers are not available to residents of Ontario.
Free Spins
Free spins are another type of casino bonus, often used in addition to the welcome bonus. Free spins are typically given away in amounts of 10 to 200, depending on the requirements to secure them. In addition, free spins are usually awarded to use at specific online slots or progressive jackpots only.
Some online gambling sites grant players ten spins when they log in again after a period of inactivity, while others set up regular promotions to give players free spins when they wager a certain dollar amount. Right now, Casumo is handing out daily free spins on select slot games, a common promotion offered at many casinos.
No Deposit
The most coveted and rare type of casino promotion is the no-deposit casino bonus. No-deposit bonuses are exactly what they sound like: the casino gives you a bonus to play with and does not require a deposit or rollover requirement in return.
This type of bonus is often capped at $10, as the casino gets nothing out of it except maybe a new player. It's fairly rare to find a no-deposit bonus in Canada, and most often, they only offer $1 in no-deposit bets. While everyone loves free money, it's certainly not enough to get overly excited about.
$1 Deposit Bonus
As mentioned above, players sometimes receive $1 in no-deposit bonuses at popular online casinos. However, casinos often hand out a $1 equivalent in the form of $1 matched deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, free spins, or wagering insurance instead. Similar to a welcome bonus, players may receive $1 to wager with when they deposit a low amount, such as $10, in matched deposits.
Other times, the casino will reward you with $1 worth of free spins or return $1 when you lose a certain amount. This type of bonus is given away to be used on specific slot games or sporting events that may not generate much business.
$5 Deposit Bonus
Similar to the $1 deposit bonus, though less popular, is a $5 deposit bonus. Players are less likely to find no-deposit $5 bonuses, but casinos often match this amount for depositing a small amount, such as $25. This type of deposit bonus is frequently used to encourage players to reload their wallets during event promotions, such as when new online slots are launched or an upcoming sports betting event the casino would like to promote.
$10 Deposit Bonus
Finally, $10 deposit bonuses are the most rare form of deposit bonuses. They are usually given away as special promotions when players wager at least $50 on select events. Again, this bonus may be rewarded in free spins, wagering insurance, or as a reload incentive. Because $10 isn't anything to get too excited about, it won't be used as a welcome bonus. Instead, players should only expect to see this amount given to returning players.
Monthly Bonus
Casinos love to use any excuse to reward players, so online casinos in Canada often create promotions based on the month. Monthly bonuses are usually rewarded as daily spins players can secure each day of the month, or a deposit match bonus variation will be available for a certain period only. If you see a monthly bonus, don't wait—it won't be around for long.
Game Specific Bonus
When a casino wants to promote specific casino games or online slots, they'll create a bonus that rewards players for playing that game. Alternatively, they may give away free spins to players to encourage them to try out a new game. This is a prevalent type of bonus found at all real money online casinos, as they are relatively low-risk for casino sites to offer. Game specific bonuses can be awarded in any of the forms mentioned above, though they are most commonly given away as free spins at slot games.
Payment Methods Available at Canada Online Casinos
While most Canadian casinos accept standard payment methods like credit and debit, many have also started to accept less conventional methods. Today, players will find payment options such as cryptocurrency, cash vouchers, e-wallets, and more available at most online gambling sites. Most sites offer some combination of the methods listed above, while sites like Pinnacle and TonyBet offer a large variety.
While an online casino may accept payments via a certain method, they may not allow withdrawals via the same kind. Most deposits and withdrawals include specified limits per payment type, so be sure to understand the conditions involved before selecting a method. Withdrawal times will vary greatly at each casino, as each site has its own internal verification process.
After the casino verifies the withdrawal request as legitimate, the payment provider must also process the transaction. Overall, this can mean payout speeds of up to 5 days at most. The most popular payment types available at real money online casinos in Canada include the following.
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Visa/Mastercard: You'll be hard-pressed to find a site that doesn't accept both credit and debit from Visa or Mastercard. While credit cards like Amex are rarely accepted, Canada's two most popular cards can be found everywhere. Typically, the minimum deposit for credit and debit is $10, and the maximums go upwards to $30,000. Most sites do not charge a fee to use Visa or Mastercard, and players are paid out within two days.
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Interac e-Transfer: Aside from Visa, Interac is Canada's most widely used payment method. Real-money online casinos also accept Interac e-Transfer, so you can make a deposit without credit. Interac e-Transfer is quick and easy, securely sending funds directly from your bank account to your casino wallet. Deposit and withdrawal limits are usually between $10 and $30,000, and withdrawals can take up to 2 days.
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Instadebit: Instadebit has gained popularity for its ease and security and is now available at most major Canadian online casinos. It adds a layer of security between your Interac e-Transfer and the casino by not sharing any banking details with them. Think of it like the online equivalent of paying by check. Withdrawals typically take no more than three days to appear in your account.
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MuchBetter: MuchBetter is a competitor of Instadebit and works in much the same way. There isn't much difference between the two, except MuchBetter acts more as a digital wallet and may come with more associated fees for using their services. They offer more rewards for use as well, similar to a credit card. The minimum deposit for MuchBetter is usually $10, and maximums fluctuate based on your credit limit. Withdrawals can take up to 3 days, depending on the casino.
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Paysafecard: Another safe and widely used option is Paysafecard. Players can purchase a Paysafecard as a cash voucher to limit their online casino spending. Players select the cash voucher amount they want to spend and simply enter the 16-digit code on the card to add funds to their casino wallet. Paysafecards can only be used once, and therefore, players can not withdraw back to the card.
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Cryptocurrency: As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin have grown in popularity, so has the number of online casinos that accept this form of payment. TonyBet, Pinnacle, and PowerPlay accept various forms of Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, while others, like Parimatch, even accept Dogecoin. Some of these sites do not allow players to withdraw back to cryptocurrency, so be aware of the terms and conditions before you deposit. Cryptocurrency withdrawal times vary but can take up to five days.
Legislation & Regulation of Gambling in Canada
Gambling in Canada was legalized nationwide in 1970 when the federal government amended the Criminal Code of Canada. This amendment allowed provinces to regulate gambling activities within their borders and establish provincially run casinos. The first commercial casino was established in Winnipeg in 1989, and numerous other provinces soon followed suit with their own casinos.
Today, anyone over the legal gambling age of 19 (or 18 in Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba) can participate in online and land-based casinos. Proof of age is required at all gambling sites and in-person casinos through government-issued photo ID.
Sports Betting Legalization in Canada
Following legalization in 1970, the next changes didn't take place until 2021, when the federal government legalized single-game sports betting. This opened the doors for Canadians to access grey-market sportsbooks and online casinos. While most provinces have yet to regulate private iGaming operators, they all offer their own regulated sportsbooks and casinos. However, Nunavut does not yet have access to a provincial online gaming operator.
Fortunately for Canadians, the lack of regulation does not mean it is illegal to gamble at online casinos. While unregulated casinos do not pay taxes to the provincial governments and cannot legally establish a presence here, there are no laws preventing Canadians from playing at these sites online. Similar to shopping online at an overseas retailer, the money spent at a grey-market casino simply leaves the Canadian economy.
Additionally, many online casinos will receive a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, which certifies them as trustworthy and safe.
Ontario iGaming Regulation
Ontario is the only exception to the grey-market laws mentioned above, as they are the single province today that regulates sports betting and online casino operators. Online casinos that wish to operate within Ontario must meet strict regulatory compliance rules to receive a license.
These casinos also pay taxes to the government of Ontario. For players, regulation rules mean they can rest assured that the casinos they're using are legitimate and care enough about player safety to abide by the rules established.
Responsible Gambling in CA
Legitimate online casinos take responsible gambling seriously and often offer resources to players to prevent problem gambling. Players should always take the time to set up deposit and loss limits, which ensure they stay within their set limits. Other types of limits include logged-in time limits and a logged-in time block, which both limit the number of hours spent at an online casino. Alternatively, players can set spend and wager limits, preventing them from playing more, even if they're winning.
Players should take the time to learn about gambling addiction and how to identify the signs in themselves and others. Most online casinos will have a section on responsible gaming in the footer of their website, where players can access resources like videos, articles, and courses to learn more about gambling addiction. Understanding these signs and symptoms can help keep yourself, minors, and loved ones safe.
CA Gambling Tools
Here are a few more responsible gambling tools available in Canada:
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CAMH: The Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital, advocates for addiction prevention. Individuals who feel they need help stepping away from gambling can phone the referrals department at +1 416 535 8501 ext. 2 to seek help.
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Gamblers Anonymous: Proven to be an effective method in treating addiction, GA is a community driven by a desire to stop gambling. Free to join for anyone, GA hosts several meetings nationwide that individuals can attend to discuss and seek support in their experience.
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GamblingTherapy.org: GamblingTherapy.org is a free site that offers support and resources to problem gamblers seeking help. The site provides advice for friends and family of problem gamblers, in addition to support forums, articles, resources, and quizzes.