Best Online Casinos in Canada

Learn everything about Canadian online casinos

Now is probably one of the best times to try out Canadian online casinos. Major steps forward in regulation have drawn a huge wave of online casino brands both big and small to cater to Canadian players. And although their core services have remained the same, new innovations and fresh ideas coming to casino sites constantly make sure there is something new to see and experience.

Why are we the experts on online casinos?

Every casino player wants to get the most out of their online casino sessions. While one can get most of this at any of the larger brands, we at InsideCasino know that there are better options if one knows where to look. To do this, our expert reviewers test each casino first-hand with our own money so we can get an accurate impression of how the casino treats its players.

What is an online casino?

For the most part, an online casino really is as its name suggests: it is a casino that is online. Players log on and wager with real money on the games that the casino hosts.

Generally, online casinos can either be played directly on your web browser or have a dedicated game app that you will need to download. Thanks to major strides in website design over the years, download-based online casinos are very rare nowadays, with the vast majority of online casinos in Canada all being web-based.

How do online casinos work?

At its core, an online casino is a website that hosts online casino games that people can log on to and play for real money. From the biggest brands to the freshly-launched startups, all online casinos in Canada work more or less in the same way. As with any service, though, the systems that keep online casinos running get vastly more complex when you look under the surface.

Our online casino diagram shows a pretty good summary of the interconnected systems that come together to give you the online gambling experience you have come to expect. As illustrated, there are five key components to every online casino: the game developer, the payment processor, the customer service provider, the casino software provider and the casino operator. In the following sections, we will try to break down each of their functions and how they contribute to your online casino experience.

• Customer service provider

The customer service provider is one of the forward-facing parts of an online casino website and serves as the primary support network for players to get info and resolution for their concerns and complaints. Data and insights from player feedback is also sent to the casino operator to help improve their services.

• Payment processor

Whether you’re paying by bank transfer, credit card, an e-wallet or a prepaid card, the payment processor is the actual provider that handles the flow of money between you and Canadian online casino. Through their proprietary systems, these payment processors transfer player deposits and withdrawals to and from the casino’s accounts. Naturally, they come in a variety of different forms such as casinos with Gigadat that are popular among Canadian players.

• Game developer

Although players see and interact with casino games on a casino site, they are not actually hosted on the site at all. Instead, online casinos have to licence them from the game developers that make them. These game developers, examples of which include Microgaming, NetEnt and Pragmatic Play, distribute their games to casino software providers and online casino sites through a CDN, or Content Delivery Network.

• Casino software provider

For a large chunk of the online gambling industry in Canada, casino software providers serve as the core of many online casino sites. Firms like Softgamings, SoftSwiss and White Hat Gaming provide casino software platforms that have just about everything one needs to start a casino on the internet. These platforms are often referred to as “turnkey solutions,” and casino operators pay for their services on a percentage of net revenue.

• Casino operator

At the centre of the online casino business, of course, is the casino operator. They serve as the actual business that owns, manages, and runs the operations of online casino sites. Examples like Dama N.V. and 888 Holdings create the site design, art direction, and management policies for their casino sites. But in many cases, their sites are actually built by the casino software providers, which already handle most of the features required.

Get started at an online casino

An online casino for Canadian players will have its own approach to various things like claiming bonuses and finding casino games, but their basic functions generally have the same processes. We've made a few step-by-step instructions on how to complete the most common aspects of playing on a casino site.

How to register at an online casino?

1. Look for the 'Create Account' page. This will come in different names like 'Sign Up', 'Join', 'Register' or some other variation.

2. Enter your account information. This includes your email address and password, as well as basic identifiers like your date of birth and address.

3. Verify your account. Account verification usually involves a Know Your Customer or KYC check, which will need you to submit certain documents to verify your identity.

4. Start playing! Once your account has been verified, you can deposit money into your account and start playing!

How to deposit at an online casino?

1. Go to the online casino’s deposit page. This can be called ‘Deposit’ or be part of a larger ‘Transactions’ page on your online casino account.

2. Specify your deposit. Here, you can specify how much you want to deposit and what deposit method you want to use.

3. Complete the transaction. For credit and bank cards, you can usually do this right on the online casino website; but for e-wallet and e-transfer services, a separate window will usually open that you follow to verify and complete the transaction.

4. Wait for the transaction to complete. Depending on your chosen deposit method, your funds should appear in your account in just a few minutes.

How to withdraw winnings?

1. Go to the online casino’s withdrawal page. This can be called ‘Withdraw Funds’ or be part of a larger ‘Transactions’ page on your online casino account.

2. Specify your withdrawal request. Here, you can specify how much you want to withdraw and what withdrawal method you want to use.

3. Complete the transaction. For credit and bank cards, you can usually do this right on the online casino website; but for e-wallet and e-transfer services, a separate window will usually open that you follow to verify and complete the transaction.

4. Wait for the transaction to complete. Depending on your chosen withdrawal method, your funds should appear in your account in just a few minutes.

How to complete the KYC check?

1. Go to your casino account dashboard. This can be found in the online casino’s player profile page, usually in the casino’s menu tab.

2. Look for the account verification page. Typically just called ‘Verify’, this should show up as part of the options in your online casino account page.

3. Upload documents. In most sites, you can upload the required documents right on the casino account page; otherwise, you will be able to find this in your online casino

4. Wait for verification. Your account verification will be processed by the casino within about a week. If there are incomplete documents or other issues, you will be contacted by the online casino by email, so be sure to check on it every so often.

What Makes a Best Canadian Online Casino?

A best online casino in Canada will excel at the main processes we mentioned above. When you go to our list of best online casinos, all of the sites there have performed well and passed the tests set by our reviewers. Areas that we test include:

Casino Games

A casino games portfolio should provide an online casino player what they like. Many Canadians prefer to play online casino games, although popularity of live dealer games, slots and sports betting is also on the rise. We hold some game portfolios in high regard, which we explain in our reviews.

Mobile Platform Support

As playing on the go is the norm now, having great mobile platform support is vital. A quality casino will make it easy to play casino on your mobile as well. This is often done via their parallel mobile casino site. Alternatively, some operations also have their own downloadable app, although this is often restricted depending on your country of residence.

Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses used to be just that – extras that were nice to have but were ultimately unnecessary. Nowadays, Canadian casino players look for best casino bonuses available. Competition in this area is fierce, with casinos trying their hardest to attract new players. of course, there can be hidden caveats attached to a casino bonus. Our reviewers, know all the tricks and this allows us to separate the good bonuses from the bad and our reviews explain this in detail.

Payment Processing

Casino payment processing can be crucial among Canadian players. Firstly, it is important that casino payment methods are available, that the player is comfortable with and is happy using. Secondly, the speed of the transactions needs to be swift and hassle-free. When you play online casino, great payment processing should be a given, which is why we test this area fully.

Customer Support

Good customer support is crucial for all casino players, regardless of how experienced they are. A top online casino must have a customer support team that’s easy to reach and will quickly respond to issues and inquiries. Most offer email support and live chat, while the top casino sites are also available by phone 24/7. We also look into the which languages are supported.

Security

Fully security audited casinos are important for us here at InsideCasino. We look for and verify that a casino site has valid certifications before we consider them for recommendation. While they aren’t required for legal compliance, their stricter testing standards does more to prove a casino site’s security and fairness when it comes to its games and its systems.

Regulation and Licensing

Canadian online casinos are regulated and licensed, but to what extent? Casino licensing varies, with some licenses holding a higher credential than others. We review Kahnawake regulated casinos through to sites that are licensed overseas. Recent developments within Canada has meant that some Canadian online casinos are also becoming regulated and licensed to operate locally within provinces. We understand regulation and licensing is not as interesting as other areas, but it is still important for player safety nonetheless, which is why we examine it thoroughly.

Are online casinos legit?

Legit online casinos in Canada are not hard to find. Just one look at our online casino list will show you that basically all of the popular sites being played today are also some of the safest online casino sites in Canada.

But while this sentiment may apply to most popular casino sites, they do not apply to all of them. Bad actors that skirt the edges of the law do still exist today. And even the casino websites that pass all of the legal requirements can still treat players unfairly through their policies.

Thankfully, the online casino industry has developed and taken measures to help both casino players and operators stay within the bounds of the law. The efforts of trusted casino certification bodies like eCOGRA and iTech Labs have been very effective in weeding out malicious sites and creating more legitimate casinos in Canada and around the world. If you want to learn more about how they work, you can check out our guide on casinos certification which goes into more detail about what it takes to be certified as a safe casino website .

Playing at Canadian online casinos

Despite some of the extra nuance and complexity around Canadian gambling laws, one of the nicest things about playing trusted casinos online in Canada is that it really isn’t that different from the experience from anywhere else in the world. As long as you stick to safe casinos, you can be assured of a fun and straightforward gaming experience.

That said, casino sites are not without their nuances, and there are a few in particular that you should be aware of, which our team at InsideCasino explains.

Online Gambling in Canada by Province

Each of the 13 provinces and territories of Canada has two sets of rules and regulations on online gambling: one that applies across Canada and another on the provincial level. Because of Section 207 of the Canadian Criminal Code, these provinces have the authority to create and enforce their own rules on top of federal laws. This means that different provinces will have slightly different rules, which we've summed up for you in the list below.

Alberta

All online casinos in Alberta are under the jurisdiction of the AGLC, short for Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. The AGLC does not allow hosting for-profit casinos, online or otherwise, although they do allow gamblers to play on offshore sites once they reach or exceed the age of 18.

British Columbia

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation regulates all gambling operators in BC. This includes land-based casinos and sports betting, as well as online casino games through the PlayNow.com website, which was the first legal online gaming site in the country. The legal gambling age in British Columbia is 19.

Manitoba

The Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation oversee all of the gaming and lottery businesses in the province. Residents 18 or older can play online casinos in Manitoba through PlayNow.com as well as offshore gambling sites without any restrictions.

New Brunswick

Both land-based and online casinos operate under the jurisdiction of the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation. Currently, NB only has two land-based venues and no online casinos based in the province; thankfully, players can access online casinos in New Brunswick by visiting offshore sites, without any restrictions.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador explicitly ban opening casinos in the province. However, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation does allow a very limited range of betting and gambling activities (mostly sports and event betting) within its boundaries. Of course, players can still gamble online if they want with no worries.

Northwest Territories

Although online casinos are not prohibited in the Northwest Territories, there are no casinos operating in the area. Sports betting is popular among residents, and the sole legal service available is provided by Sport Select. However, many people prefer to place their bets through offshore online casinos instead.

Nova Scotia

Gambling in Nova Scotia is overseen by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, which involves such activities as lotteries, sports betting, and casinos. Players need to be at least 19 years old to be able to play at any gambling operation in the province, and while there are no online casinos based in the area, casino players in Nova Scotia are permitted to play on offshore casino sites.

Ontario

Since the opening of iGaming Ontario in April 2022, Ontario has become the first (and so far only) province in Canada with a fully regulated online gambling market. Residents 18 years or older can now play Ontario casinos online, as long as they are being hosted by licensed operators and software suppliers.

Prince Edward Island

The betting options on Prince Edward Island are pretty limited, pushing players to play online instead. Bettors in the region must be 19 years or older, and all sports games are governed by the Prince Edward Island Lottery Commission as well as the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC).

Quebec

While offshore gambling is a grey market here, Quebec has a quite diverse gambling market overseen by Loto-Quebec and the Alcohol, Racing and Gaming Commission. Players need to be at least 18 years old to play Quebec casinos online, which includes offshore sites and the few locally based sites including the provincially-operated Espacejeux.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan does not have any official online gambling options, which is why most players in the province prefer to play on offshore sites instead. The minimum legal betting age in the region is 19 years old, and all gambling activity is governed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

Yukon

This territory is most notable as permanent casino establishments are banned from opening in the area, but temporary licences for events are allowed for up to 3 days. Although there are no online casinos operating in the territory at this time, players can play on offshore sites without restrictions.

Online Casino Licences

Licensing is one of the key components of safe online casinos in Canada. The reason for this can be boiled down to two aspects: compliance and credibility.

Having a valid casino licence is basic compliance for any legal casino site that wants to open its services to Canadian players. This is especially true for casinos opening in Ontario, which need to acquire a licence specifically from the provincial regulator, iGaming Ontario.

Those serving the gambling market in the rest of the country, meanwhile, have a slightly different incentive. While the licence isn't technically required, the optics of having one is valuable enough that most operators will apply for a licence anyway. Having that badge of honour that verifies that they have safe online casinos pays dividends in terms of gaining player trust.

Casino operators entering the market have several options for safe regulation and licenses. We've listed a few of the most noteworthy licenses, that permit legal casino sites to offer their services to players in various countries across the globe, including Canada:

• Malta Gaming Authority: Generally accepted as the largest regulator for the global online gambling industry, Malta boasts a roster of over 300 casino operators and software suppliers as licensees.  

• UK Gambling Commission: The UK is home to one of the world's largest online gambling markets, and is, understandably, one of the strictest online casino regulators. 

• Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission: This small island nation was one of the pioneering regulators at the birth of online gambling, and is home to Microgaming, one of the industry's oldest and most prolific software suppliers.

• Alderney Gambling Control Commission: Another British island territory, Alderney also boasts a similarly busy online gambling regulator, with the AGCC being responsible for notable operators like Jumpman Gaming and software suppliers like Eyecon.

• iGaming Ontario: The newest 'kid on the block' among gambling regulators, Ontario's opening of their doors to third-party operators has triggered a massive boost in demand in Canada.

• Kahnawake Gaming Commission: The first online casino regulator in Canada, the KGC works under the authority of the Kahnawake First Nation and is treated by Canada like any internationally-recognised regulator. 

• Curaçao Gaming Control Board: The gambling regulator of Curaçao holds a bit of a divisive reputation in the online casino space because of its comparatively easier and faster casino licence processing compared to other jurisdictions.

• Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association: Like the rock the island is known for, Gibraltar’s gambling jurisdiction is one of the foundations of the online gambling industry, being the home of some of the biggest casino operators like 888, BetVictor and William Hill.

Top 10 Online Casinos: Our Picks

At this point, we’ve covered enough info about what makes a top casino in Canada; now, some examples are in order. Below is our list of the top 10 online casinos in Canada, which we have hand-picked for their features and service that goes above and beyond the typical casino site choices.

1. Arcanebet

Arcanebet is an online casino that prides itself on taking players directly to the games they want to play with its simple presentation, intuitive design, and great game sorting features.

2. Jackpot City

Jackpot City is one of our top casino picks for its strong customer support system, great game catalogue, and smooth site performance on both desktop and mobile devices.

3. Katsubet

The minimal look of Katsubet lends itself to being a very accessible online casino site, allowing even first-time gamblers to find their way around their 2000+ game catalogue with little assistance.

4. King Billy

Canadian players will be treated to a gambling experience fit for a king with King Billy Casino’s great game library, big bonuses and long-term rewards for the most loyal—provided, of course, that you pony up the money for it.

5. Miami Dice

The neon blue and pink hues on the Miami Dice website welcomes players to a casino experience with fun games and a special VIP club for the site’s biggest bettors.

6. Nomini

The bright and whimsical graphics of Nomini Casino does little to hide its over 4000 online slots, live casino, and table games that all work great on mobile devices.

7. Pokerstars

Despite its roots in online poker, Pokerstars’ online casino section is quite competitive with some of the bigger brands in the business thanks to a large game library and excellent site performance.

8. Red Spins

Red Spins’ generous casino bonuses and loyalty program rewards Canadian players who look to stay and play at the casino for a long time.

9. SpinAway

A smooth site experience and an excellent mobile version lands SpinAway a spot on our picks for top online casinos in Canada.

10. Spin Rio

The vibrant presentation of this Canadian online casino keeps the gaming experience exciting for players of all budgets, with well-sorted games and lots of events with fun prizes up for grabs.

Online Casino Pros and Cons

Online casinos feel like a no-brainer option for the modern-day gambler. But ignoring some of the more fundamental arguments about gambling in general, playing casinos online does have its own set of pros and cons you will need to consider before you jump in:

Our Thoughts on Online Casinos

Online casinos are one of the best options you have for playing in Canada. While the country has no shortage of land-based gambling options, the convenience of playing anytime and anywhere online, is unmatched in terms of convenience.

If you were still on the fence about online gambling in Canada, you can dive a little deeper by reading some of our casino reviews, which you will find in our list of the best online casinos. You can also check out some of our more detailed guides on specific casino games or bonuses for more useful information.

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