There are hundreds of online casinos in Canada. With so many options, it can be hard to know which Canadian online casino site is right for you. It's even worse if you're a beginner. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this Canada online casino guide is for you and will help you understand the online casino landscape in the country.
Keep reading to learn about online casinos in Canada. We'll cover online casino bonuses, online casino games, gambling regulations in Canada, and responsible gambling practices you should keep in mind when you play.
Canada Online Casino Laws and Regulations
The status of legal gambling in Canada is incredibly complex. This is mostly due to the lack of federal regulation. Without a federal law, provinces and territories have to create their own laws.
At time of writing, Ontario has the strictest online casino laws in Canada. All online casinos in Ontario must be approved by iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Other provinces are more lax and let you play at offshore online casinos, provided that you are of-age.
Casino Games
Canadian online casinos come in many shapes and forms. The best casinos sites in Canada are comprehensive online casinos with thousands of online slots, dozens of table games, and a wide variety of live casino games. Other online casinos in Canada will be more limited.
Whatever the case, in the following section we will cover the most common online casino games that you should expect to see at any online casino in Canada.
Online Slots
Online slots are the most popular online casino games in Canada. At most casino sites, more than 70% of the site's total casino games library will be online slots. Even the smallest online casinos in Canada will likely have hundreds of online slots to choose from.
If you've never played online slots, don't worry, they are super simple. Slots are games with symbols on a reel or grid. You pay to spin the slot. If the symbols line up in a winning pattern, you win. It's that simple.
Simplicity is the number one reason why online slots are so popular. Another reason is how fun they are. Slots come in a wide variety of themes and formats, which means there are plenty of options for you to find a slot you love.
Note: Some slots also have special bonuses, jackpots, and chances to win free spins that make them extra enticing to play compared to other online casino games.
Finally, slots are popular because they can pay out big. Historically, some of the biggest online casino jackpots in history have been won playing online slots.
Table Games
Table games include online blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. Video poker games will also sometimes be listed under the table games category, but they typically have their own section in an online casino games library.
Table games are by far the most hit-or-miss category of online casino games. Some casino sites have dozens of tables with unique table games, such as multi-wheel roulette or American blackjack. Other online casinos have just the basics.
Note: If you're a table games fan, which means if you like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, etc., you should do your research before signing up for online casinos in Canada. A good place to start is with our comprehensive casino reviews.
Live Casino Games
Live casino games are online casino games with a real, human dealer who you can interact with in a live casino setting all from the comfort of your home. The most popular live casino games are live dealer poker games, but live blackjack, live roulette, and live game shows are also super popular casino games in Canada.
Like with table games, live casino games are hit-or-miss. The best online casinos in Canada will have a full live casino library with plenty of live poker, blackjack, roulette, and other live casino games tables. Unfortunately, a lot of online casinos in Canada will not have live casino games. Alternatively, some sites are exclusively live casinos.
Besides the overall number of games and the quality of those games, live casino speed is another thing to look out for. Poor-quality sites will lag, especially on mobile devices, or have long wait times to get tables.
Casino Bonuses
Almost all online casinos in Canada offer casino bonuses. These are typically welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, and no deposit bonuses, but some sites also offer promos for existing customers and VIP promos to keep you coming back once you create your account. Here is a breakdown of the most popular casino bonuses in Canada.
Welcome Bonuses
The most common type of casino bonuses you will see at online casinos in Canada are welcome bonuses. These bonuses are relatively straightforward. You claim them once you create your online casino account.
Typically, you'll have to make a deposit to claim your welcome bonus. Matching bonuses, where you receive a certain percentage of your first deposit back in bonus credits, are the most common welcome bonuses in Canada.
Note: Some sites will offer no deposit bonuses that you can claim the second you create your account.
Existing Customer Promos
Existing customer promotions are casino bonuses offered exclusively to players to already have an online casino account. These are normally cash back offers, deposit matches, or even free spins once you make a deposit.
VIP Programs
In addition to having existing customer promos, some online casinos in Canada will reward you by allowing you to earn VIP points as you play. Normally, you will be enrolled in these programs as soon as you create your account.
Other online casino VIP programs are invite-only. All VIP programs let you unlock special perks, such as exclusive casino bonuses, faster withdrawal times, and higher deposit and withdrawal limits.
Responsible Gambling
The last, and most important, aspect of online casinos is knowing how to play responsibly. When you create your online casino account, you can set time limits, spending limits, and restrictions to prevent you from playing certain games. We highly recommend you use these resources.
If you're ready to step away forever, you can put yourself on the site's exclusion list, which means you can never create an account with the site again. Many provinces, including Ontario, have province-wide exclusion lists that apply to all legal online casinos in the province.
If you need outside help, you can access resources like Gamblers Anonymous, the Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gaming, or the Responsible Gambling Council.
Casino Apps
Playing on the go is an essential part of the modern online gaming experience. The best online casino sites also have dedicated casino apps or mobile sites that are fully optimised for iOS and Android devices.
If you are outside Ontario, don't be surprised if your favourite casino site doesn't have an app. This is completely normal due to the status of legal online casinos outside Ontario.