Best Online Casinos in Canada in 2021

Seeing how the world of online casinos has taken Canada by storm, it’s no wonder that hundreds of operators have set up shop in the land of Maple Syrup and hockey. We understand that navigating this sea of bonuses, offers, free spins and free bets can become confusing. You have come to the right place and we are going to walk you through everything you need to know. Whether you want a site for the occasional sports bet or want to play a couple of rounds of slots during the weekend, we have the experience and knowledge to connect you with the best site for your needs.

All about online casino bonuses

One of the biggest concerns players have when choosing to join a casino is the bonus scheme available to them. Bonuses are what set different casinos apart from each other. They indicate which part of the gaming industry the operator promotes the most (slots or sports or live casino for example) and whether they are looking to simply acquire new players or keep their players playing with them for longer. Rest assured that all offers and reviews on this site are unbiased and up to date. We are constantly checking out different casino sites to ensure that their offers are legit. The most common bonuses across Canadian online casinos are:

Matched deposit bonus

Most casinos tend to employ this offer as a welcome offer, as it applies equally to all players irrespective of  their gaming preferences. This bonus is great as it can be applied to slots, blackjack and several other games provided by the casino. When opting in, players will be able to claim a bonus amount based on the deposit they conducted. Most casinos offer a 100% matched deposit bonus, which means that if you deposit $100 you will receive $100 as a bonus. The maximum bonus amount available will vary between different casinos. This means that one operator will offer a matched deposit bonus of 100% up to $200, and another operator might offer the same percentage up to $500 instead. Another variable to watch out for is the wagering requirement attached to each of these bonuses. Other commonly-offered matched deposit bonuses are at 50%, 75% and 150%.

Free spins

This bonus is often offered either as an extra to the above bonus or as a stand-alone promotion. New players receive several free spins that carry a set value, which can be used to play on selected slot games. Players can receive from 10 free spins up to 200 or more based on the casino. The winnings from these free spins are usually bonus funds not real cash so keep in mind that you would need to wager the bonus to convert it to withdrawable cash.

No deposit bonus

This promotion tends to apply only to new players, who  register to qualify for this casino bonus. It might be in the form of bonus money or free spins, but they tend to be of much lower value than the above two deposit bonuses.

Best new casino bonuses

New online casinos

Best real money online casinos

Promotions are only one of the factors we consider when ranking online casinos. We also take into account the web design, user friendliness, customer service, mobile accessibility, games library and legal status, to mention a few. For each casino listed here, you can find detailed information about the following aspects:

Web Design: the first impression is very important when it comes to online casinos, as there is so much competition out there.

User friendliness: many casino players are not used to gamble online, so it is important that the casino is easy to use and navigate, while allowing players to find what they need easily.

Brand recognition: this is not something that many consider, but the status of the brand is important if you want to feel assured that your money will be as safe with a casino, as with a bank.

Mobile accessibility: in 2021, more and more people are gambling on the go. Thus, online casinos should offer an optimised website for both desktop and mobile browsers, as well as mobile apps, in order to be considered amongst the best.

Games: casino games online have reached an unprecedented number and it is the job of each casino to collaborate with the best developers and provide top-rated titles from various genres. Payment methods: lastly, payment methods are also very important when reviewing an online casino. Players must always find more than one payment gateway they are familiar with, while not having to pay any unnecessary fees.

Canadian taxes on winnings from online casinos

Many players reach out to us concerned about whether they should file taxes on their casino winnings. Canadian players should not feel too concerned about it, as gambling activities are tax exempt in Canada, since these winnings are not considered a source of income. One day players can win thousands, but they might then lose on another day.Earnings from gambling are inconsistent and therefore not considered as a source of  income. Casino players don’t have any legal responsibility to pay taxes for their wins. Note that :

• If you gamble in the USA, then you will have to declare your winnings
• Winnings from lotteries are also not taxable

On the other hand, professional gamblers who make a living from this activity are required to file taxes. This would take place in the case of pro poker players who receive sponsorships and earn huge amounts from competitions. This is the only category of gambling where taxes are relevant, and you might want to contact a tax consultant or a lawyer if you feel that you fall into this category of player.

Ensuring online casinos are trustworthy – Understanding Licenses

Amongst the top factors you should consider when exploring online casinos in Canada is their legal status. This is the first and most important aspect that you should look out for.

Generally, online casino gaming is safe, if you play on a licensed casino. There are various official bodies in place which review casino sites and only license them after they meet certain criteria. Once a casino is licensed, it will be audited and inspected regularly. This means that if the casino breaches the terms of its license, it will be slapped with a huge fine or in extreme cases, have it’s license revoked. The most trustworthy licensing commissions that authorise online casinos to operate in Canada are:

• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission
• Gibraltar Gambling Commission
• Curaçao Gambling Authority

Based on their license, online casinos can only operate in certain markets, so it is very important to play on casinos that legally operate in Canada. This way, you will always feel safe about your money and can rest assured that if you hit a big win, you will be paid out your winnings in a timely fashion.

Online casinos vs land based casinos

It has been over 20 years now since the first form of online gambling was rolled out. In Canada, players may need to travel for hours to reach the nearest casino, whereas they can be live and playing away within a couple of seconds online and have the same, if not a better, experience.

When it comes to games, convenience and pay-outs, online casinos are superior to land based casinos. However, the latter provide a more realistic feel and a satisfying experience as a whole.

Overall, it seems like players in Canada are giving up on land-based casinos and primarily playing casino games online instead. Who can blame them when the pros of online gambling heavily outway the pros of land based gambling? 

Most popular Canadian slots

Based on the most common free spins bonuses amongst online casinos in Canada, we can easily identify and share with you the most popular online slots in Canadian casinos.

Book of Dead: Carrying a classic Egyptian theme and design, the Book of Dead slot is commonly featured in Canadian casino bonuses. It has high volatility, but an RTP of 96% making it a very rewarding game, but one that pays out less often. Besides the base game, players can also win up to 150 free spins that incorporate expanding wilds in the gameplay.

Mega Moolah: The jackpot lion is one of the most famous slots in the world, as it was the first to reward 8-digit numbers amongst all online slot games. It carries an RTP of 88%, free spins and 4x jackpots. The progressive one starts off with a 1 million money pool, which increases as players bet on it.

Thunderstruck II: A classic online slot based on North mythology, Thunderstruck II carries an RTP value of 97% and 4x different bonuses. It is a fascinating game and the RTP makes it stand out from most slots listed across Canadian casinos. 

Rest assured that all these games and more are guaranteed to be on the casinos promoted by us.

Online casinos during covid pandemic

When the global pandemic first hit, most businesses, including land-based casinos, were forced to shut down. The online casino industry remained one of the few sectors that enabled people to still have fun and spend some free time doing the things that they love.

Nevertheless, in the past six months, there have been many new regulations introduced, which are specifically applicable to online casinos, to ensure the safety of players. Some of these regulations include:

• No advertising of online casinos in relation to covid
• The introduction of new measures that will protect players from excessive gambling
• Strict rules that apply to all digital marketing activities performed by online casinos

These rules highlight how regulated the online casino industry has become in 2021., while it is much more versatile compared to the land-based casino industry. 

Sportsbook in canada

Besides online casinos, we are also reviewing the best bookmakers and sportsbooks in Canada. In many instances, players can access both casino games and place sports bets from a single operator. Although they are very different from one another, they both present the player with the opportunity to increase their bank account balance.

Factors like the design, legal status, promotions, and usability are equally applicable to both iGaming operators and bookmakers, but keep in mind that there are specific areas which we explore when reviewing a bookmaker’s sportsbook. These include:

• Sports available Odds for each sport
• Betting options
• Cash-outs
• Live betting
• Live streaming

Which sports can you bet on?

Nowadays, players can bet on practically anything they can imagine. Nevertheless, the most popular sports games categories in sportsbooks remain soccer, hockey, American football, tennis, basketball and cricket. Horse racing, greyhounds and F1 racing are also popular with Canadian players, so online bookmakers tend to also incorporate these within their promotions.

Handball, snooker, ping pong and badminton are some of the less popular sports, but are still frequently available to bet on through Canadian sportsbooks.

Interestingly, there are some other types of bets that have been prominent lately, so you will also find the following sectors in most online sportsbooks:

• eSports
• Politics
• Virtual games
• Fantasy sports

If a particular trader does not offer a sport  for you to bet on , feel free to reach out to the customer service team directly as they may be able to pass this request over to the traders and have the sports added.

Biggest sporting events in 2021

If you are into the world of sports betting, then you should not miss the opportunity to bet on the  events listed below in 2021. The best Canadian bookmakers featured on our site cover all these events. You can also expect some promotions catered to each  of them:

Ice Hockey – The IIHF World Championship will be taking place in May 2021 and bettors from Canada should be on the lookout for major wagering opportunities. 

NBA – The NBA finals will be running in June 2021. These almost always ignite targeted bookmakers promotions which players from Canada can exploit. 

American Football – At about the same period, the Super Bowl will take place in Florida, so the betting opportunities will be even wider.

Baseball –  The World Baseball Classic sporting event will take place between 9th and 23rd of March, 2021. The betting lines are expected to be competitive, so you are advised to have access to more than one bookmaker. 

Horse Racing –  Liverpool will be hosting the Grand National horse racing tournament in April 2021, which is one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Soccer – The UEFA Champions League Final will take place towards the end of May 2021, so visit our site to know where to find the best odds.Handball –  The men’s World Championship will be taking place in Egypt during the second half of January 2021.

Live casino games Canada

Twenty years ago, no one could have imagined that online casinos would come so far. Nowadays, the most prominent casino operators have a whole section dedicated to casino games that can be played with a live dealer. You can place your bets and see the action unfolding as you chat live with the dealer as well as other players. Some live casino games are so well-designed that you are unlikely to ever go back to a brick-and-mortar casino. One of the greatest advantages to playing with a live dealer is the speed of the game. As all players have a set time within which they can place their bets, you can play several games within the time span that it would take you to play a single round at a land based casino. The best live casino game developers and operators that you will find on almost all online casinos include:

• Evolution Gaming
• NetEnt
• Real Time Gaming
• Pragmatic Play

Roulette

Roulette has remained the most prominent of the  live casino games. Most online casinos feature at least ten different roulette tables in a video format. The best roulette variants are considered the ones developed by NetEnt and Real Time Gaming, due to the smooth gameplay and realistic experience they offer.

Nevertheless, the live casino tab will also feature at least five different variants, depending on the casino. Lightning roulette, no limit roulette, French roulette, and multi-table roulette are some of the most common live variants.

Keep in mind that there are also several different stakes at which you can play, ranging from pennies to thousands per bet.

If you are interested only in roulette games, then you should join a casino that offers a live casino deposit bonus, rather one that credits free spins which are only eligible for slot games.

Blackjack

The second most popular live casino game is blackjack. It requires mastery and skill in order to win big. It is however a bit more conservative when it comes to potential pay-outs when compared to roulette. Again, all online casinos in Canada provide blackjack variants in a video format, where you will be competing against the dealer.

If, on the other hand, you are more into collaborative gameplay and want to stare your opponent down, you should stick with one of the live dealer blackjack variants. These tend to be more limited in terms of seating when compared to live roulette games. In any case, you will not struggle to find a free space on a live blackjack table to bet against the house as there are hundreds of different tables available. 

Online poker in Canada

Poker can be easily listed side by side with the two casino games explored above in terms of popularity.,However in our view  it deserves to be treated as a separate entity. While it is categorised as a casino game, poker is the most skill-based card game in the world.

Many Canadian players make a living through playing poker professionally. Some say it’s a game based on luck and they won’t be totally wrong. However, professional players seem to prove that there is also a certain element of skill to the game.

When looking for the best poker site to play on, professionals look for a few characteristics that help them maximize both their chances of winning as well as improve their experience of a smooth and safe online session. We will delve into this shortly.

Is it legal and safe to play poker online?

When it comes to online gambling, Canadian law does not allow or forbid it explicitly. Even though this positions online gambling in a grey area, Canadian poker players have access to the best poker sites in the world. There are in fact several professional poker players in Canada. Rest assured that you will never have a legal issue playing on the sites recommended here.

Online poker with real money

Many poker players tend to start off by gambling online with ‘play money’. However, real money poker is  the most popular type of play in Canada, and of course the most rewarding once you learn your way around the game. There are some tips that may be useful  to your gameplay and increase the likelihood of winning some cash, while also ensuring that you will not be overspending:

Betting limits – all poker sites that we suggest to you do not just aim to profit from players, but also provide them with a gambling experience that is balanced overall. Thus, our poker sites allow players to set daily, weekly or monthly limits to themselves, so that they do not place bets impulsively. 

Start with low limit tables – our poker sites offer players an array of options when it comes to the stakes of poker tables. The gameplay and format of most is practically the same, but the betting limits are different. If you are a beginner playing poker with real money, it is better to start by playing on the tables that have low to medium stake limits.

Take advantage of the promotions – the poker sites on our charts always reward the new players who deposit real money. After you read the terms and conditions to see if you agree with them, it is often a good idea to claim the free bonus offers and employ them to play poker, before you start betting your real money on the poker table. 

Best online Poker sites

In order to find the best poker sites to sign up to and play on, the most important aspect to consider is having plenty of other players on the site to play with, who will have varying levels and experience. Especially as a beginner, we understand that you would not want  to be placed on a table with pros who won’t give you much of a chance to learn the ropes.

The next thing to check is that the site will accept your prefered payment method. Please check out our brand reviews to find out more about this.

Customer service is also essential. Some brands provide 24/7 customer service while others may only have certain time slots where they will respond to your questions. Be sure to find a brand that offers round the clock assistance to all its players.

One of the major brands that ticks all the boxes is PokerStars.

As the biggest poker room worldwide, PokerStars offers the biggest variety of poker games. VIP rewards include positions for the biggest poker tournaments in the world, while new players can win free cash upon their deposit.

Another huge player in the poker industry is 888poker which offers the best quality poker rooms in 2021. New players can claim a 100% deposit bonus up to 888$, while poker players  have access to a good range of tournaments in which to join and compete with others. 

Tips to keep in mind

When scanning through our online casinos, trying to decide about which of these would offer you the best gaming experience, irrespective of the casino you join, there are some things to keep in mind to make the best of your gaming experience.

Money management: online casinos provide certain tools to help you control your gambling experience, but this task always starts with you. You can set deposit limits on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to ensure that you never get lost in your gameplay and spend more than you can afford to lose.

Gambling for prolonged periods: it is also very important to avoid gambling for many hours straight. This is likely to result in making decisions that you would not have made otherwise. Most casinos also offer time warnings, feel free to contact the casinos support team to ask about this if you feel it will help.

Read carefully: we are reviewing each online casino on our list carefully, so it would be wise to explore every aspect of a casino in advance. This will ensure that  you do not reach the fifth step in the registration process only to realise that none of the payment gateways work for you. 

Documents and registration details: when signing up to a casino, make sure that the details you input are correct. There is no reason to worry about safety with the licensed brands we recommend, if that is your concern. This is important because, if you have a HUGE win and try to withdraw it, the casino is likely to ask for ID and possibly a proof of address. If the details  on your documents do not match your registration details, this may become a problem. So best to avoid hassles and be straight up from the get go – wouldn’t you agree?

Understanding the essential terms and conditions

Another major aspect linked to online casinos are the terms and conditions. These do not just limit players in terms of age, but they also narrow down your gambling experience when employing a bonus as a new or existing player.

Bonus cap – almost every casino bonus for new players will have a maximum amount that you can withdraw when playing with the bonus funds. Not knowing about this in advance could result in great disappointment.

Wagering requirements – claiming a bonus and winning money from your deposit are two different things. To withdraw your bonus money, these will have to be wagered a set number of times first. Different games contribute a different percentage towards the total wagering requirements that you will need to meet, while certain games might not count at all.

Qualifying games – each bonus (or freebet) tends to apply to specific games, which also count towards the playthrough requirements.

Time limit – after claiming a bonus, there is a set period during which you will need to wager the bonus. If you go over that time, all your bonus winnings will be voided. 

Document requests

All online casinos must confirm the identity of their players in order to allow them to withdraw their winnings. This is also referred to as the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) process.

On some casinos you will need to go through this procedure before you even deposit funds. On some other sites it is only required upon withdrawal or perhaps when withdrawing a large amount. We advise all our players to complete this process before they deposit funds, so that they are not faced with any unexpected surprises. For the KYC process you may need:

• ID document or passport to confirm your identity
• Bank statement under your name to confirm your payment details
• Bill or official statement to confirm your home address

For this reason, always be sure to input the correct details when signing up to the site in order to avoid any delays or issues down the line. Keep in mind that casinos are also required to carry out anti money laundering checks (AML) as part of their license agreement. When this happens, they cannot inform the customer of this investigation. This normally happens when players make huge and sporadic transactions with fake details resulting in their accounts being temporarily blocked. By having all your  details, such as name and address, correctly entered into the site, you’ll already be on the right foot to avoiding this troublesome process.

Payment options and processes

Lastly, it is also very important to understand how the whole payment system operates at online casinos.

Usually, there is a minimum deposit limit of 10$ per deposit, while some payment methods carry set fees. Deposits are normally processed instantly by the casino, so that players will not have to delay their gaming experience.

Most of the deposit methods can also be used to withdraw funds, although this is not always applicable as in the case of PaySafeCard and Bank Transfer. Withdrawals usually require 2-5 business days to be processed, with a minimum withdrawal amount standing at a similar limit as for deposits. The most common payment methods that you can employ at an online casino include:

• Visa Cards
• MasterCard
• Maestro
• Skrill/NETELLER
• PayPal

Players can also contact the casino support team if they feel concerned about payments, the KYC procedure or bonuses through live chat and email. These tend to be the most common available ways to get in touch when it comes to the best online casinos in Canada. 

Should you have any queries, you are free to reach out to us via our ‘contact us’ form.