While online casinos are not new to Canada, it is only in recent years that the number of them has exploded. This is thanks to changes in legislation, as more provinces than ever are open to legalized online gambling. As a gambler, this is both good and bad. Good, because you now have tons of online casinos to choose from, with each offering a slightly different experience. Bad because you now need to spend your time sorting the wheat from the chaff. That’s where we come in.
This is a guide to finding the top online casinos in Canada. We will give you the knowledge to help you find the right online platform for you. Since there’s a lot to cover, we’re just going to jump right in.
Casino Licensing in Canada
Unlike some countries, Canada does not have an overarching gambling licensing system. It is up to each province to do things themselves, and some don’t even have a licensing system in place. However, unlike other regions, some provinces in Canada do allow foreign companies to offer their gambling services to their residents, although you should be careful who you deal with. You might also want to look into the specific rules for your region, as things can differ. Canadian gambling rules are currently going through a state of flux.
Wherever you gamble should be licensed by a reputable casino licensing board. Preferably, in Canada. However, the US, UK, and European licensing boards are fine. Licensing is for your protection. A country that has a rigid licensing system has checked the sites for quality, fairness, and protection, so you know you’re in safe hands. Never gamble at an unlicensed platform.
All licensing details for an online gambling site in Canada will be listed somewhere on their main page.
Read Reviews, Always Read Reviews
Even though we’re experienced at selecting online casinos, we still go to great lengths to read through casino reviews. We read as many of them as we can. This tells us two things:
- Whether a site is good.
- Whether we missed a good website, as there are lots of new sites all the time.
Look for a blend of professional reviews and user-written reviews. Be careful, though, as a review that is absolutely gushing or just reads a little bit too fake might be. That’s a big problem in the casino business. So, just read as many reviews as you can and try to come up with your own opinion on a platform.
Check Out the Platform’s Website (and their mobile options)
Before you register for a website (and especially before you give them any money), take time to have a look at it. A lot of the time, you can get a feel for the quality right off the bat. In most cases, you can even spot a scam. Scams are meant to be obvious because they only want to pull in the gullible.
Don’t forget to check out the mobile version of the online casino too, even if you don’t plan on gambling on your mobile. It just gives you a feel for how much time and effort the company has put into developing its platform. The more effort, the better the experience.
Check Game Options
This is where you’ll probably spend most of your time. While some online casinos try to cover every single base, many online casinos have a brand that they like to stick to. This means that they might offer more of one game type than others. For example, an online casino trying to target more casual gamblers will probably have more slot machines, while an online casino looking to attract gamblers looking to spend some cash will have lots of table games and live dealer games.
Always review the available games. No online casino will have everything because not every online casino will work with every developer. So, unless you want to be signed up to two or three casinos (which you may do, eventually), you will need to make a few compromises.
Confirm Banking Options
Any reputable online casino in Canada will have payment options suited to Canadians, and unless you need something very specific, you should find a method that appeals to you. The one thing you should be aware of is deposit and withdrawal times, and any associated fees. You don’t want them to be too high. All reputable casinos will have a chart with this information. If you can’t find that information easily, get it from the reviews you’re reading.
Customer Support?
While it is unlikely you’ll need to contact customer support with a good website, having a good customer support system in place is a must. It shows they care. Live chat is one of our preferred options, but even an easy-to-use email system with fast replies wouldn’t go amiss. There just needs to be something.
Site Security
If you’re gambling at a reputable platform that has been licensed, then site security is part of the licensing requirements. Your web browser will also warn you if a site isn’t secure. If there are any red flags, skip the site.
Casino Bonuses
Canadian casino bonuses are rarely as great as the bonuses that you find in other countries, but they do exist. If you want a nice little sweetener, have a look at both what you’re getting when you register for a platform, as well as any long-term incentives such as a VIP program. The more benefits, the better! It is up to you to decide which benefits are best for your needs.
That’s all there is to it. If you use a reputable review platform for your casino reviews, then determining which site is right for you is a mere formality. Put the tips we’ve shared on this page into practice, and you’ll have no issues finding the best casino platforms in Canada.
