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New players are often concerned about the legality of online casinos. If that’s you, then great; it clearly shows you are law-abiding and being careful. After all, you only want to have fun and make some legal money in a trusted establishment without getting ripped off.
Canada is one of the few countries that keeps a good balance between providing its citizens with iGaming opportunities and protecting them from bad operators. So, are online casinos legal in Canada? Can Canadians play in any casinos, even offshore sites? How we wish we can give you a straightforward “yes or no” answer.
Generally, the legality concerning online casinos in Canada is ambiguous, but you are not breaking any or be prosecuted for playing in any online casino you prefer. In this guide, we will look at how far gambling has come and, of course, where and how to enjoy the best casino experience in different provinces. Sounds good, right? Okay, let’s get to it.
History and legality of gambling in Canada
Like many countries, the online gambling market is relatively new in Canada, and previous laws made no provisions for it. It is a known fact that gambling is an ancient phenomenon in many places. And Canada is no different. An Italian explorer uncovered the earliest history of gambling. In 1497, John Cabot discovered some proof that showed that gambling in the country goes as far back as 6000 B.C. Games of chances were played for recreational, mental exercise and spiritual development and with basic items such as sticks and pebbles.
The first major legislative decision on gambling was made in 1892 when the criminal code, which outlaws all gambling activities, was enacted. That decision was quickly adjusted in 1900 to legalize bingo and rattle, provided they were for charity purposes. By 1910, horse racing became part of another form of legal gambling in Canada. Permission was granted to fairs and exhibitions to host all kinds of gambling activities.
To raise funds for different projects, the criminal code was amended for the commencement of the lottery operation in 1969. The first of such took place in 1974 during the Olympics in Montreal. Over the years, Provinces were given the freedom to run gambling, including horse racing, slot machines, lotteries, and different casino games. Fast forward to today, various provinces in Canada are generating significant revenue from gambling and casinos run by either the regions or regulated iGaming companies.
While authorized land-based casinos are still providing live, immersive entertainment to Canadians, the proliferation of online casinos has opened up the world of online casinos to Canadians. Many poker rooms and online casinos now offer both classic and innovative online casinos to Canadian players. Some of these online casinos are regulated by the government, with a lot more operating offshore.
How we picked the best regulated Canadian online casinos
Finding the best legal online casinos that fulfil the basic needs of casino players is no mean task. Some of these requirements are non-negotiable, and we give them priority when compiling the top legal online casinos in the country. Here are the criteria we used, which you can also employ to pick high-ranking Canadian online casinos to play exciting games and potentially win big.
- Reputation and integrity
The online casino community is vocal. Players are often eager to share their experiences about an online casino brand. The online casino listed or reviewed are strong brands and have an avalanche of positive reviews from customers to back up their promises of great gaming and gambling services.
- Banking options
Most regulated Canadian online casinos ensure the players have good payment options in major payment categories such as credit card, prepaid card, bank transfer, e-wallet and mobile payment. In addition to the standard and traditional methods such as Visa and MasterCard, other faster and high limits and Canadian-friendly options in different categories include Interac, ecoPayz, MuchBetter, Paysafecard, Flexepin etc. Also, a fair number support bitcoin and popular altcoins.
- Exemplary Customer support
Quality support is an essential feature that separates top casinos from mediocre. We expect a regulated casino for Canadians to have a 247 live chat feature for instant access to complement the regular email and phone support for a satisfactory overall experience. It needs no saying the customer agents must be ultra professional, attentive and friendly.
- Fairness and safety
Safety is not negotiable when picking a Canadian online casino. To avoid fake operators, we only consider or advise you to register with operators that hold Canada’s gambling license and reliable third-party auditing mark. Every legit online casino obtains a licence number from the appropriate regulatory body, precisely Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and bears the marks of third-party watchdog such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs and BMM Testlabs. Those companies regularly audit their operations periodically to guarantee fairness and check the reliability of the encryption technology employed.
- Robust game portfolio
Besides making money, every casino player’s goal is to have as much fun as they can get playing casino games online. That can only be possible in an online casino with a rich collection of classic casino games while not forgetting new releases based on innovation and current trends. We keep our experts’ eyes out for an online casino operating and licensed in Canada with good portfolios that have an excellent representation of popular categories like slot, progressive jackpot, table games, live casinos and other games.
- Signup bonuses and other incentives
Almost all online casinos offer different types of incentives to players. One standard bonus is the welcome bonus. It is a bonus for newly registered customers. An international or offshore casino may not directly target Canadians in their bonus offerings. That implies that casino players based in Canada will likely have hard times making deposits and withdrawals and extra charges due to avoidable exchange fees. Canadians need to enjoy these bonuses with no stringent requirements attached and $CAD supported, not to incur an avoidable currency exchange fee.
Top regulated online casinos in Canada
Using the criteria listed above and others, we have narrowed down the list of the best online casinos in Canada to 5, no mean task. Without further ado, we present our top five online casinos that are legit, provide a wide range of betting options, bonuses and exciting titles. If you’d like to see more online casinos answering these criteria, you may head over to Casinocanuck.ca which is a website all dedicated to review recommended online casinos across Canada.
Jackpot city Casino
Jackpot city casino has been in the game of providing what casino players want since 1988. The owner of this brand knows the fastest way to get to the heart of players is a bumper welcome bonus. Not many online casinos can compete with a potential gift of CAD$1600 and an average of 96% RTP.
This reputable iGaming brand with a license from Kahnawake Gaming Commission and Malta Gaming Authority and trusted auditing handled annually by eCOGRA. Any Canadian up to the legal age of 18 will have no trouble making deposits with popular payment methods and start playing casino games from providers like Microgaming for slots and casino games and Evolution Gaming for live games. Other reputable companies such as NetEnt and Playtech also contribute in a different capacity to the exciting game portfolio.
Party Casino
Many online casinos try to sell their brand by promising to bring Vegas into your home. Party casino does it effortlessly with its impressive array of slots, table casino and progressive jackpots. Visiting the website for the first time, you can’t help but be impressed with the stunning graphics and a well laid out interface across all devices, including mobile.
The casino welcomes you to the world of exciting games by the best developers in the industry with a potential C$500 signup gift. To grab this generosity, you will need to use the promo code ‘WELCOME BONUS. Double any amount you put in as your first deposit to as much as C$500. Don’t forget other incentives from reload bonus to loyalty bonus to give you more enjoyable gaming experience and opportunities.
Bodog
Bodog is a premium online casino owned by renowned Bodog Entertainment and has a license from Antigua and Barbuda. Any Canadian that has an online gambling experience can easily relate to Bodog Casino as it has been providing Canadians with targeted entertainment in it since 1994. Casino customers get C$600 as a signup bonus, sports betting punters can claim up to C$200, while poker lovers get the best deal of C$1000.
The website’s overall design is not the best you will see in the online casino sphere but tasteful and easy to navigate even for first-time visitors. Bodog casino is all about providing the best online casino to you without you breaking a sweat. That is easily noticeable when you visit the payment section of the casino site. Though Canadian residents will have no problem making deposits or withdrawal given the fair number of smooth and safe payment options available, it went a bit further by adding bitcoin’s convenience. Scrolling through the game portfolio will reveal games from Betsoft, Genesis Gaming, Rival Gaming, Real Time Gaming and so on. And that can only mean one thing: top-notch entertainment.
Captain Cooks
Maintaining a flawless reputation for more than two decades is a feat not many online casinos can match. Established in 1999, Captain Cooks is widely acknowledged as one of the first gambling platforms to introduce downloadable software. But the brand is mainly loved by casino players for its innovative platforms, creative promotions, games and unbreachable security.
As a Canadian, you can start your gaming adventure on that website with a minimum of C$5, but you can decide to up it to the max to earn an extra C$500 across your first five deposits. Every list of the best casino games must have a good representation of Microgaming games. Being powered mainly by Microgaming is a testament to the fun awaiting Canadian players, regardless of whether you are new to online casinos or veterans. Registration is as simple as filling out basic information about you. Making a payment to start your adventure is as smooth with MasterCard, Maestro, Visa, Bank transfer, Instadebit, Skrill and ecoPayz accepted.
Spin casino
Spin Casino has been referred to as the slot player’s paradise since 2001. It is owned by Bayton Limited, a company responsible for establishing eight other top casino brands. Slots may be the headlined products of this casino site, but different game types, including live casino games, are well represented. Thanks to high-quality games powered by no other than Microgaming and NetEnt.
Mobile users are bound to find joy here. Games on Spin casino play effortlessly on mobile. Most of the essential features are also supported on mobile browsers. With a minimum C$20 deposit using popular debit and credit cards, bitcoin, e-wallets like Skills and Neteller, etc., you open up a whole new world of adventure for yourself at this casino. Note that C$20 is also the minimum amount you can withdraw. All your dealings and personal information are protected by the state of the art SSL encryption technology.
Provinces With Regulated Online Casinos
Alberta
All provinces in Canada have the autonomy to make their gambling laws as they deem fit. Therefore, every province can decide whether to regulate or prohibit online casino operations in their region. In an area with favourable gambling regulation, you will likely find types of online casinos – the ones run by the province and the private companies.
Alberta
Crown Commercial Enterprise and Agency is saddled with the responsibility of providing an outstanding gaming experience for Alberta’s residents. It does this without losing focus on problems that can arise from gambling and other forms of addictions. The government-run online gambling platform, playAberta, is a well-stacked yet straightforward website with casinos, lottery, instant games and gamesense that educates the players on how gambling works. New players receive a bonus of C$20 with a fair wagering requirement of 20x for a deposit of C$10 or more.
British Columbia
The British Columbia province generates quite a good revenue, precisely $7million this past year, which goes into infrastructural and community development. A significant percentage of the revenue is generated from playnow.com, a government-run casino site for providing regulated gambling to the local community. The casino site offers an excellent selection of slots, table games, progressive jackpot, live casino games and instant games. Other gambling verticals such as sports betting, lottery and poker are also available on this government-operated online casino. New games and other impressive features are also added every week. New players can enjoy these games and promotions, particularly the welcome bonus that gives new players C$20 for making the first deposit.
Manitoba
PlayNow Manitoba has been providing Canadian sports bettors and casino players in that province their gaming needs since 2013, after partnering with British Columbia Lottery Corporation. This regional casino has a lower minimum deposit, C$5, than regular offshore casino sites. And payments are made through MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, Interac and others. Your deposit is approved almost instantly, and you can start placing a bet on all types of casino games, sports, lottery and other forms of gambling. PlayNow Manitoba may not offer as much juicy bonus as offshore casinos, but you will agree that the 100% match bonus up to $50 and peace of mind is golden.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador authorized the Atlantic Lottery to provide its residents with entertainment and dreams. 100% of the profit generated from the website operations goes on to community development. When it comes to online games and gambling Atlantic Lottery has it all, from online bingo sports betting, scratch N’ win to impressive collections of casino games. The gambling sites continually introduce new games, promotions and other initiatives that keep the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador entertained and winning. One such bonus that is currently running is the welcome back promotion, activated when you use the promo code “Welcomeback2021”.
New Brunswick
Atlantic Lottery generated a whopping $124.5 million for New Brunswick last year alone. And no, that huge amount is not at the expense of gamblers in New Brunswick. During the same year, the gambling platform paid $449.7 million in prizes to its players across Atlantic Canada. Understandably, the casino section does not have as many games as the top privately-owned casinos. That seems like a not-to-steep price to pay for peace of mind of playing and winning in a responsible and totally safe gaming platform.
Ontario
The province of Ontario is set to open its legal iGaming market from April 4th, with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission overseeing this new market. (Source)
Both the players and the government of Ontario have made $55 billion from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) since it started operation in 1975. Many residents of Ontario have won life-changing amounts playing the lottery on OLG, but casino games seem to the many players’ new favourites. The top and featured game section of the website is limited but has an impressive selection of casino games like Cleopatra, Spartacus Megaways, American Roulette, Action Jack, Elephant King and more. The common payment method on this website is credit and debit cards which include MasterCard, visa and INTERAC®. To prevent addictive gambling, players can put the 7-Day Deposit Limit feature to good effect.
Quebec
Quebec has one of the most impressive online casinos in Canada. Espacejeux offers a portfolio of slots and several varieties of blackjack, baccarat, keno, poker, dice, and game shows, like you will find in modest private-owned casinos. Quebecois have a unique opportunity of playing the best of casino games with the safety and assurance you can only get in a government-monitored online casino. All the regular payment networks are available on Espacejeux. About promotions offered, they fluctuate. When a promotion/bonus is offered, it can get as high as C$20.
Provinces With Legal Casinos on the Way
Nova Scotia
The Atlantic lottery corporation spread its business wing. And it has landed in Nova Scotia. The sign off was announced in early February, and residents of the province will enjoy online casino-style games sooner than later.
Prince Edward Island
Atlantic Lottery Corporation has succeeded in adding another provincial government in Atlantic Canada to its portfolio. The new development will generate significant revenue from the over $100 million staked at offshore for the island. Also, players based in Prince Edward Island can focus on having fun playing casino games and other forms of gambling, knowing there are genuine measures in place to prevent addiction and related problematic behaviours.
Provinces Without Regulated Online Casinos
Not everyone will be a believer. Currently, there are still some provinces yet to fully embrace the revolution that online casinos are bringing gambling. Though games of chance are allowed in different capacities through licensed land-based establishment or electronic methods, particularly Lotteries conducted by Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), residents of Saskatchewan, Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories have to settle for playing casino games in offshore casinos.
Should you play in regulated Canadian casinos or offshore casino sites?
Offshore casinos are not necessarily all unregulated. The adjective simply implies they are operating and probably licensed from another country, not Canada. Either way, playing in offshore casinos only means one thing, your provincial government cannot guarantee the fairness of their game outcomes and the safety of your information and money.
When deciding whether to play on an offshore site or a regulated Canadian online casino, the important thing is to put the pros and cons side-by-side. Of course, offshore casino sites have advantages over regulated ones. And the apparent ones are more games, higher betting and transaction limits and vast payments methods.
But we believe safety and fairness are of the essence. Imagine getting ripped off of your hard-earned money or playing in a casino where odds are stacked against you. If that doesn’t sound like an experience that you would love to have, then playing in a regulated and home-managed online casino is the way to go.
