Many different factors go into determining whether an online casino site is one worth recommending or not.

For each gambler, certain elements will be prioritised over others, but on the whole, we believe the following components are crucial:

🤑 Welcome bonuses

Online casino sites offer incentives to Canadians by offering to load their account with funds or free spins and bets. Bonuses usually require an initial deposit which is sometimes matched, and in rare cases, new players can claim a bonus without depositing. An example of a welcome bonus could be 100% to a maximum of $200, meaning a $200 deposit would give you $400 in total to play with.

🎰 Game variety

Any online casino worth its salt will have a wide selection of games, with a bundle of options for fans of slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, faro, craps, and more. There should also be lots of live casino games for those looking to replicate the thrill of a real-life casino by playing against real dealers. Many gamblers enjoy slot games that are tailored to their interests, whether it be Hollywood, fantasy, sports, or retro.

💰 Regular promotions

With the best online casino sites, bonuses and promotions are not just limited to new customers. Various VIP programs are in place with some casinos, while others have what is known as reload bonuses, in which matched deposits or free spins are given to gamblers who already have an account.

💸 Big jackpots and payouts

Part of the thrill of playing games at online casino sites is the potential to win serious money, not just a few hundred dollars. Various online games have seven-figure jackpots, giving Canadians an opportunity to win humongous, life-changing sums of money.

💳 Range of Deposit Methods

There is no point being signed up to an online casino if you can’t deposit and withdraw money to and from it easily. Across the casino sites listed on this page, lots of banking options are available, with everything from debit and credit cards to eWallets like ecoPayz and prepaid cards such as Paysafecard.

👉 Read our guide to fast and secure payment methods with betting sites in Canada.

🔐 Safety and Security

When wagering on casino games with real money, you want to be sure that your funds and information are safe and secure. We only recommend online casino sites that have excellent security systems in place and are fully regulated.

💬 Customer Support

Running into the odd problem happens to everyone from time to time, and it is no different with online casino sites. Fortunately, many of them have terrific customer support, in most cases 24/7 and available via live chat, to ensure any issues you may face are addressed swiftly and professionally.

There are a number of different types of bonus offers given out by online casino sites in Canada.

Read about some of the most prevalent ones in this section, and claim one of the offers yourself.

• Matched First Deposit
  One very common type of online casino bonus is for the player’s first deposit to be matched. This may be displayed as a 100% bonus on the first deposit. If a new customer adds, for example, $100 to his or her account, the casino will add another $100 to their account, making their total balance $200. Each casino will set a limit for a maximum deposit that they will match, as well as a minimum deposit amount in most cases.

• Percentage Match Bonus
  In this instance, the user will receive a bonus upon making an initial deposit, but the percentage can be different to 100%. Some lucrative offers from online casino sites give the player a 200% bonus, which would turn a $25 deposit into $75. Other sites may instead offer a 50% bonus or an alternative amount. Percentage match bonuses can also be spread out across multiple deposits.
  

• No Deposit Bonus
  Everybody’s favourite type of welcome offer! These bonuses require no initial deposit, and the casino rewards you for just creating an account. The amount of money involved in the bonus is usually less than a matched first deposit bonus offer, and wagering requirements can be strict in comparison too.

• Free Spins
  Many casino sites offer free spins to new customers, either as a standalone welcome offer, or to go along with a deposit match bonus. Free spins are also sometimes given out to existing players to maintain their interest or re-engage them. Free spins can be used on slot games, and occasionally one specific game if a new slot title is being promoted.
  

• Free Bets
  A term familiar with sports bettors, free bets can also be given out by online casino sites as a welcome bonus or other rewards. Online casino free bets are often used in blackjack, poker, roulette, and more.
  
  
• VIP Bonus
  For more regular online casino players, VIP bonus programs are extremely beneficial, as it allows players to rack up points that can be converted into free bonus cash or spins. It makes every bet count, and often they are tiered so that the more loyal you are, the more you are rewarded.

• Referral Bonus
  When you are a member of an online casino, you could have the chance to secure some free spins or a cashback bonus when you refer a friend to said casino. This can be done via a referral code or link, or however each individual casino specifies. In some instances, the money you earn from this will need to be wagered multiple times before it becomes withdrawable.
  

• Reload Bonus
  A reload bonus can be part of a welcome package for new players, where the first deposit bonus is followed up by subsequent bonuses on further deposits. Reload bonuses can also be given out by online casino sites as a reward for regular play, or to encourage inactive players to come back to the site if they have been idle for a while. The value of a reload bonus rarely matches that of a matched first deposit, but they are still worthwhile and a way to get free funds added to your account.

Before selecting an online casino site to sign up with and claiming their sign up offer, it is important that you understand the wagering requirements of the bonus.

Pretty much all casino bonuses must be wagered (bet) a number of times before the funds become withdrawable as cash.

If the offer is a 100% bonus on a $50 deposit with a wagering requirement of 10x, the $50 bonus must be turned over 10 times. Essentially, you need to wager $500 in total.

The terms and conditions of each sign up offer will make the wagering requirements clear, as well as any other restrictions such as the games it can be used on and the time period it must be done by.

Bear in mind that different casino games contribute a different amount to the wagering requirement, and requirements will vary per game.

After reading this page, you now know about all of the various features and offers that online casino sites in Canada are known for. So, it’s decision time - which one are you going to sign up to?

Ask yourself these questions about each casino site, and if there is one that ticks all of these boxes, you should think about going for it.

• Is the casino site fully licensed by a well-known firm?
• Does the casino site have a strong reputation?
• What bonuses and rewards are on offer?
• Is there a wide variety of games available including live games?
• Which banking methods are offered, and do they suit you?
• Is there 24/7 customer support in your language?