Gambling in many different forms is enjoyed legally across Canada; indeed, the country has some of the world’s most liberal betting laws. Since the 1960s, activities from casinos to bingo halls and racetracks have been under the regulation of the nation’s 10 provinces and three territories.
What about online gambling in Canada?
It’s also true, however, that online gambling remains something of a grey area. Strictly speaking, operators are not permitted to run web-based poker rooms or casinos in Canada, although most offshore gaming servers are based in the Kahnawake native reserve, which is on Canadian soil.
But, actually, it’s not illegal to play at a web-based casino in the country, only to operate one there.
And every province has the right to legalise
specific types of gambling that may be ‘operated on or through a computer’
This has been taken to mean the opening of the door for every province in the country to take its own decision on the issue of legalising gambling online.
So, overall, Canada is an attractive environment for its residents to gamble in. It’s also seen as a safe place in which betters can enjoy a great variety of internet casino games without falling foul of the law.
Here, we share our pick of five of the best Canadian online casinos.
Online casinos to enjoy in Canada
Dunder
Dunder may be one of the newest Canadian online casinos, having only been established in 2016. But in just a few short years, it has established itself as one of the best, with a large and loyal customer base.
It features more than 800 casino games from some of the world's leading operators. You’re guaranteed to find all your favourite games here, with a wide range of varieties and alternatives for each one.
The site itself is modern and easy to use, with all games played in the browser, removing the hassle of downloading software before you can play.
The user experience is invariably excellent. However, should any problems occur, Dunder has a great customer support team, available via live chat and email.
BGO
Launched in 2012, BGO was originally a bingo site but has expanded its offering to encompass a wide range of games (more than 600 in all) including casino activities, bingo and slots.
BGO is known for being generous with its offers as well as its very reasonable playthrough requirements. As you would expect from one of the best online casinos in Canada, all of the traditional casino games are here, including blackjack and roulette, in numerous forms. Live dealer games are also available, alongside novelty offerings, sometimes involving celebrities like Ronnie O’Sullivan to ramp up the entertainment factor.
(Verne ‘Mini-Me’ Troyer became the face of BGO, and appeared in its TV ads, but has passed away since.)
Betway
Betway was first established in 2006. They’ve always been a good casino, but over the past few years, they’ve really upped their game, and have now secured their position as one of Canada’s best online casinos.
The website itself is very user-friendly, and new players can sign up quickly and easily. There’s a wide range of ways to deposit money, including via debit card, credit card, Neteller, Skrill and bank transfer.
The range of casino games is excellent. All of the traditional favourites are here, as well as a large variety of other activities and slots. The support on offer is superb too and is available via email and live chat. Unlike many other online casinos, phone support is also possible.
Genesis Casino
This online casino offers 700 slots, table and live games from some of the industry’s top providers, including NetEnt, Microgaming and Play’nGO. It’s licensed in Sweden and Malta as well as the UK.
Table games include video poker, baccarat, roulette and blackjack and keno, alongside a fully immersive live casino with friendly dealers whatever time of day or night you want to play. Offerings include roulette and Caribbean Stud.
Access the site on your mobile device without an app to enjoy playing on the go, while there’s also live chat support, although not 24 hours.
Finally, this visually stunning casino also has an excellent VIP rewards scheme.
Casumo
Launched in 2012, Casumo presents a modern look, is fully mobile compatible and has an instant-play interface. Set up an account and claim free spins with no deposit needed as part of your welcome package. Games are from the likes of NetEnt and Microgaming, among others. It’s licensed in Malta and the UK.
The site also has its own exclusive adventure promotional system.
Slots include favourites such as Starburst and Evolution – new titles are added every month. In the library of the classic table, offerings are roulette, blackjack, video poker and Texas Hold’Em, all presented in an impressive number of variants.
Player support is available round the clock via live chat.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive. There are other casinos serving this market as well, including, for example, Play Frank, which has plentiful promotions, a live casino, a good range of games plus a decent welcome bonus.
Summing up: Best Canadian Online Casinos
When it comes to online casinos in Canada, there’s plenty of choices. You’ll want to make your decision based on:
- The sort of games you most enjoy playing
- Your preferred payment methods
- How you like to access customer support
- How important the welcome bonus is to you
As with any decision like this, it’s worth giving one or two casinos a whirl before deciding which one works best for you. Some of it may simply come down to plain old personal preference. Do let us know what you decide!
