Best Online Casino Sites in Canada 2023

How We Review the Best Online Casinos in Canada

We know that no two gamblers are the same. Each individual has their own preferences and expectations of online casinos and considers a variety of different areas before signing up to a new site.

To account for this, we review each of these areas to create not only an overall impression of an online casino but also to highlight its unique qualities, such as an impressive gaming portfolio or excellent mobile capabilities.

We provide the facts and leave it to our users to make informed decisions. Here are some of the key areas we look at before ranking a casino on the site. 

Online Casino Bonuses

As well as the initial welcome bonus, the best online casinos will offer existing players a series of bonuses and promotions throughout their time at the casino. To make the most of these bonuses, make sure you always read the terms and conditions before putting them to use.

Here are some of the most common casino bonuses you’re likely to come across at an online casino in Canada –– remember that these bonuses are optional, and you’ll generally need to opt-in if you want to receive them.

Matched Deposits

Matched deposit bonuses involve the online casino matching your deposit at a certain percentage and up to a specified amount. For example, you might be offered a matched deposit of ‘200% up to $200’, meaning that a $200 deposit would land you a total of $400, half of which would be at the casino’s expense.

This bonus type typically has the steepest wagering requirements, meaning you’ll need to wager the bonus value a set number of times before you can withdraw any bonus-associated winnings.

Free Spins

If you’ve got your eye on spinning the slots, you’ll want to make use of free spin bonuses – a bundle of extra spins that are usually given to players following a minimum deposit. For example, a free spin bonus might take the form of ‘50 free spins when you deposit $20’.

Free spins wagering requirements are calculated against your winnings from those free spins rather than the bonus’s monetary value.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses don’t require any deposit from your end; simply sign up and claim your free offer. These offers tend to be significantly lower in monetary value than deposit bonuses, and the terms and conditions are typically more restrictive.

Bonus on Sign-Up

Similarly to no deposit bonuses, you might trigger an instant bonus when signing up for a new site. These bonuses aren’t dependent on any deposits; they’re simply designed to persuade users to stick around and try out a site’s features. Unlike no deposit bonuses, which may be offered to players at any time, bonuses on sign-up are exclusive to new members at the point of registration.

VIP and Loyalty Programs

The best online casinos have VIP or loyalty programs that reward their most devoted players with premium rewards and benefits, such as free spins or faster payouts. These programs usually operate as tiered systems in which customers earn loyalty or complementary points simply by depositing and playing. These points will either be exchangeable, or will allow players to progress up the ranks, where they will have access to increasingly exclusive perks. 

Before you sign up to a Canadian online casino, it’s worth checking out what sort of VIP program they have in place, as these can significantly enhance your online gambling experience at no extra cost.

Reload Bonuses

Reload bonuses are, essentially, matched deposit bonuses for existing customers. Sometimes this will constitute a matched deposit on your first three or four deposits at a new casino site, but they can also occur as spontaneous promotions for existing players. In the latter cases, the percentage of the deposit that the casino will match is usually less than 100%, but these are still useful ways of keeping you stocked up on bonus funds after you’ve exhausted the spoils of your initial sign up bonus. 

Promo Codes

Some bonuses, whether for new or existing customers, might require a promo code. These can be advertised in a number of ways, such as on the online casino’s website or through emails and social media pages.

It’s important that you keep your eyes open, however, as these promo codes are likely to change, and you don’t want to miss out on an exclusive bonus. Of course, if any of the sites we recommend offer these sorts of bonuses, we’ll be sure to give you the promo code ourselves.

Common Bonus Terms and Conditions

So far, terms and conditions have been lurking in the background, but let’s take a closer look at what these are and how they affect online gamblers. T&Cs have a habit of producing unexpected surprises when proper attention isn’t paid to them, so it’s vital that they’re read in full to give yourself the best chance of capitalizing on any bonus winnings.

Here are some of the most common conditions you’re likely to encounter.

Wagering Requirements

Casino bonuses are often subject to wagering requirements – a calculation that’s made to determine the amount of money that needs to be wagered before a bonus can start making a real money profit. This calculation is usually somewhere between 25-40x the value of the bonus, but this will vary. Anything about 35x is typically considered high wagering, and anything below is low wagering.

Here’s an example: let’s say you’re offered a matched deposit bonus of 50% up to $50, with a wagering requirement of x30 – in this instance, you’ll need to wager a total of $1500 (50 x 30) before you can cash in any winnings. If your casino includes the deposit value in this calculation, as some do, the above calculation would be 100 x 30, leaving a total value of $3,000 to be wagered before unlocking withdrawals. 

Game Restrictions

Online casinos will sometimes include game restrictions in their T&Cs, meaning that certain games won’t be available to play with bonus funds. Before committing to the bonus offer, make sure your game of choice isn’t excluded.

Payment Exclusions

Canadian casino sites may also limit the ways in which players can make deposits and claim bonuses, as well as the method with which they’re able to withdraw bonus funds. Again, make sure your payment preference isn’t excluded.

Time Limits

Time limits are often associated with wagering requirements, counting down the days players have to satisfy all of the terms and conditions before the bonus offer runs out. Keep an eye on the time, as your bonus will become void if the clock strikes zero.  

Winning Caps

Online casinos may also saddle their bonuses with winning caps – a condition that places a limit on the total amount players can win from a bonus, or on the amount players are able to win with a particular bonus on a particular game. Anything you win beyond the cap will be returned to the casino by default.

Software Developers at Online Casinos in Canada

Our recommended casinos will host a variety of games from the biggest software developers in the world. Below are a few to look out for – this is by no means an exhaustive list, but these three names are considered giants of the industry. 

Microgaming

Having developed the world’s first online casino software in 1994, and the world’s first mobile casino software ten years later, Microgaming is as much a part of the fabric of online casinos as video slots. With a wealth of experience behind it, you can expect high-quality levels of entertainment across Microgaming’s eclectic mix of titles, covering both slots and table games. 

Some of Microgaming’s most popular slots include the vampiric Immortal Romance, the official branded slot of HBO’s Game of Thrones, and the Thunderstruck series, based on tales from Norse mythology. 

NetEnt

NetEnt’s history stretches almost as far back as Microgaming’s, and these developers are considered two of the industry’s biggest stars. NetEnt predominantly concentrates on producing stunning slots, and is responsible for some of the best titles of the last decade, including Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, and the Western-themed Dead or Alive series. 

Evolution Gaming

Evolution is almost single-handedly responsible for the introduction of live dealer games to the online gambling scene. Ever since Evolution’s founding in 2006, the popularity of live casinos has dramatically increased, and you’ll now find Evolution’s products at all of the best online casinos in Canada. As a testament to the company’s success, Evolution acquired NetEnt and Red Tiger Gaming in 2020.

Live table games are what most Evolution fans enjoy playing — we particularly like Lightning Roulette and Infinite Blackjack in this format. Its most recent releases include the ball drawing game Cash or Crash, and Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, which makes the popular NetEnt slot available to play using VR technology. 

Mobile Gambling with Online Canadian Casinos

With so many casino customers now opting to play games on their phones, mobile functionality has come to be expected at the best online casinos. There’s good reason for it too, as there are plenty of benefits of utilizing this option. 

Mobile gambling allows you to pick up and play your favourite games whenever the mood strikes, provided you have a strong enough mobile data connection. That means you can spin the slot reels on the go, and you’re not limited to just playing at home.

What’s more, mobile casino navigation often feels more intuitive, so it’s easy to browse and find what you’re looking for. This goes for the games themselves too, as they’re all optimized to ensure you can enjoy a smooth gaming experience. Plus, many smartphone screens now have higher quality displays than laptops, so you’ll enjoy every detail of the games in bold colour.

Mobile Apps

Another benefit of mobile gambling at the best online casinos in Canada is the availability of downloadable apps. The vast majority of online casinos offer native apps, which tend to give a better user experience than playing via a mobile browser. Let’s break down the main advantages and disadvantages.

Canadian Land-Based Casinos

When Canada’s federal government relinquished control of its gambling legislation in 1985, it made each province free to decide its own gambling laws. Canada’s first land-based casino arrived four years later in Winnipeg, Manitoba, paving the way for Canada’s modern gambling industry. The presence of these casinos depends on the province’s own stance on gambling, meaning that some, like Ontario, have lots of gambling locations, while others, like Newfoundland and Labrador, have none. 

Most of these land-based casinos are owned and operated by provincial governments, although privately run casinos are now allowed in Ontario. 17 land-based casinos in Canada are also owned by the First Nations, the first of which opened in the 1990s.    

If you’re interested in visiting one of Canada’s best land-based casinos, take a look at our recommendations below. 

Caesars Windsor, Ontario

Address: 377 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 7H7

Phone: 1-800-991-7777

Overlooking the Detroit River, Caesars is one of Canada’s most thrilling land-based casinos, with a complex that includes restaurants, nightlife, shows, shopping experiences, spas, and a pool for its visitors. In the casino itself, you’ll find 85 table games that run 24/7, with bets of up to $50,000 accepted on games of roulette and craps, and $25,000 for blackjack. There’s also a dedicated poker room offering 14 tables across different variants, and over 2,000 slots to top it all off. The casino opened in 1998 and is owned by the hotels and casino group, Caesars Entertainment.

River Rock Casino, British Columbia

Address: 8811 River Road, Richmond, British Columbia, V6X 3P8

Phone: 1-866-748-3718

Located on the Fraser River, River Rock is the largest casino in British Columbia and is owned by Great Canadian Gaming. Also offering shows, spas and restaurants, River Rock opened in 2004, and its casino offers all of the most popular table games. There are 1,100 slots and a dedicated poker room open from 11am-3am. The casino’s high limits room is also available for blackjack and baccarat players.

Casino de Montréal, Québec

Address: 1 Avenue du Casino, Montréal, Québec, H3C 4W7

Phone: 1-800-461-0140

Located on Notre Dame Island, Casino de Montréal is run by Québec’s provincial gambling corporation, Loto-Québec, which also owns four other casinos in the province. The casino opened in 1993 and today offers cabaret performances as well as other professional shows. Games of baccarat, blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, sic bo are all available, and there are also games of war on offer, where players bet on having a higher valued card than the dealer. Casino de Montréal also offers an incredible 3,200 slots for players to sample.

Hard Rock Casino Vancouver

Address: 2080 United Boulevard Coquitlam, BC V3K 6W3

Phone: +1 604-532-6888

Located in Coquitlam, the Vancouver Hard Rock Casino features 951 slot machines plus over 70 table games, including blackjack, baccarat and roulette. Its theatre holds 1,100 attendees and hosts a range of comedy shows, concerts and other performances. Inside the casino you’ll also find a wide variety of restaurants, open at all times of day. The casino opened in 2001 and is owned by Great Canadian Gaming, which was acquired by Apollo Global Management in September 2001.

Casino Regina

Address: 1880 Saskatchewan Dr, Regina, SK S4P 0B2, Canada

Phone: +1 800-555-3189

Casino Regina is Saskatchewan’s premier casino and has been in operation since 1996. Owned by Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, the casino was formerly Regina’s Union Train Station, and still features elements of the railway stop today. Visitors will have the pick of 800 slot machines, as well as 22 tables and 60 Touch Bet terminals. There’s a range of minimum bets to ensure every player is catered for, across the likes of blackjack, roulette, three and four card poker and baccarat. What’s more, the Casino Show Lounge hosts a wide variety of musical performances from Elvis tribute acts to seasoned artists, such as Steve Earle and Daniel O’Donnell.

Responsible Gambling in Canada

Gambling is a much-loved pastime, but it comes with plenty of associated risks. Responsible gambling is about taking measures to minimize the risk of losing control of your gambling accounts and habits. To start with, this involves taking basic steps to insulate yourself from online threats: never place a bet at an unlicensed site, and be diligent when you’re sent any emails or messages claiming to be from your casino site. 

Beyond this, there are a number of steps to follow to ensure you’re gambling responsibly, including:

• Only placing a bet when sober and of sound mind;
• Only depositing what you can afford to lose;
• Avoiding the urge to chase losses;
• Managing your spending by making use of on-site limiters that can be set at daily, weekly, and monthly levels;
• Avoiding wagering on games or sports markets that you’re unfamiliar with;
• Getting up to speed with new games by playing the free-to-play version before committing real money to wagers.

The final and most important step is to ask for help if you think you’re developing, or have developed, a gambling problem. There are a number of professional organizations that can offer friendly advice, such as the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) – an independent, non-profit organization that has been tackling issues related to problem gambling in Canada for over 35 years. 

If you’re worried that you or someone you know might have an issue with problem gambling, here are some of the signs to look out for:

• An increased preoccupation with gambling, communicated verbally or through increased time spent on gambling sites;
• Becoming secretive about gambling habits;
• Spending more time and money on gambling than intended;
• Borrowing or stealing money to facilitate gambling sessions;
• Increased volatility in behaviour following a gambling loss.

If you’re experiencing some or many of these behaviours, remember that you’re not alone and there are people who can help without judgement.