Guide to Casino Gambling in Canada

Bonus1 reviews online casinos and brings you the latest bonuses and promotions. This guide is an introduction to online gambling in Canada, explaining the regulations and laws applicable to your jurisdiction. Continue below to discover the right casino for your needs, and expert insights by our dedicated team.

List of legal CA online casinos

  • Royal Panda
  • BetVictor
  • Party Casino
  • Energy Casino
  • TonyBet Casino

We only work with legal casino sites in Canada. Our list is curated to include licensed gambling sites that have been rated highly by our experts and users. We regularly update our bonus list to bring you fresh deals and new opportunities.

Disclaimer: Bonus1 might receive an affiliate fee when you play at online casinos we advertise. Nonetheless, our assessment criteria and review process are never compromised by financial interests, and objectivity is maintained at all times.

Canadian gambling laws

The only federal law that affects online gambling in Canada came in a Criminal Code reform in 1969. It essentially passed the right to regulate online gambling activities to the provinces. 

So far, only Ontario issues iGaming licenses to private companies. Several top-notch online casinos and sports betting sites offer their services to Ontario players, including DraftKings, BetRivers, and BetMGM. 

On the other hand, the remaining provinces have either ignored online casino gambling or provide such services through a single state-licensed site. Playing on operators like Pro-Line or PlayNow is not popular due to the underwhelming bonuses and services.

The good news is that Canadian players located outside Ontario can sign up and play at online casinos operating overseas. Due to the large pool of options, relying on Bonus1 for your casino selection is crucial for a safe and pleasurable gaming experience.

Official gambling bodies in Canada

Physical casinos are widespread in Canada, and every province has a body responsible for their regulation. Overseas casinos do not need a license to operate in the same CA jurisdictions, but they must stick to the minimum gambling age limit (set at 18 or 19 depending on the province) and not offer their services to players in Ontario. 

You should keep tabs of the iGaming authority of your province and watch out for any updates that would affect your ability to gamble at overseas casinos. We generally only recommend operators with good standing in regulated markets that also take Canadian players.

  • Manitoba – Liquor & Gaming Authority 
  • Alberta – Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission
  • Saskatchewan – Liquor & Gaming Authority
  • Ontario – Alcohol & Gaming Commission
  • Nova Scotia – Gaming Corporation
  • Quebec –Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission
  • Prince Edward Island – Lotteries Commission
  • Newfoundland and Labrador – Consumer Affairs Div.
  • New Brunswick – Lotteries and Gaming Corporation
  • British Columbia – Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch
  • Northwest Territories – Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Commission
  • Nunavut – Department of Health
  • Yukon – Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Division

How to spot legit casinos in Canada

The best way to stay safe while gambling is to only play at casinos we have approved. Our team follows a rigorous review process and an expert rating system to highlight the strong and weak areas of every online casino we promote. We do not even consider unlicensed or illegal casinos, so you can tick this box off when choosing a casino from our top-lists.

Areas we look at include bonuses and promotions, safety, transparency, reputation, company details, gaming options, wagering requirements, customer support, app performance, and user experience. Each area is carefully assessed across sub-categories and our reviewers put every feature of the casino to the test.

In reality, most online casinos share similar elements:

  • 1,000+ games
  • First deposit bonus and a couple of weekly promotions for existing users
  • Mobile compatibility
  • Around-the-clock customer support through live chat or email
  • SSL encryption
  • Deposit limits and exclusion options

Areas that take a casino to the next level include native apps, no deposit bonuses, partnerships with 20+ iGaming studios, networked tournaments, progressive jackpots, phone support, and other extras. 

One thing you should never neglect is to ensure the casino holds a strong gambling license from a body regulating online casinos. For example, never play at Canadian online casinos that are not licensed by the Gambling Commission or the MGA.

CA online casinos to avoid

The iGaming market is extremely saturated. Backyard casinos operating without an official license are all over the internet. 

Telltale signs include support for cryptocurrencies, Curacao or similar offshore iGaming licenses, hidden owners, obscure games that haven’t been tested by reputable commissions, and more. Our blacklist includes an ever-growing number of illegal online casinos you should avoid like the plague.

Having said that, some international online casinos hold decent reputations among players and have operated without problems for years. It is important to differentiate between online casinos that operate offshore but treat players with respect and pay without problems; and those that never respond to player requests, disappear when you file a withdrawal request, and constantly have you upload extra documents to pass verification.

So that we don’t ever compromise your safety, we only deal with licensed operators by the best iGaming authorities in the world. If any problem arises with them, you can take the case to the licensing authority and reach a resolution without added stress.

Playing at CA online casinos

You must be 18 or 19+ to begin playing at CA online casinos. The first step is identifying a legit casino – don’t worry, we have you covered. Use our links to visit the official site. If we provide a promo code, copy/paste it into the registration form to unlock an exclusive bonus. 

Signing up involves sharing a few personal and address information, such as your full name, age, home address, mobile number, etc. Online casinos ask for verification documents to double-check the information so that they don’t let underage or non-qualified users access their services.

When you complete the registration and verification procedure, you can visit the lobby on any desktop or mobile device. The majority of recommended casinos also have native apps for Android and iOS users. You can find links to the respective stores on their websites or search for them directly in your app store.

After you have spotted a game that interests you and are logged in, you must either activate a no deposit bonus or make a first-time deposit. Online casinos support a plethora of banking options with instant payment times; they include bank cards, online bank transfers, mobile wallets, digital wallets, and prepaid vouchers. The payment limits are flexible, too, so don’t stress about the amount of money you must commit to begin playing at online casinos. 

After your casino balance is positive, simply click to launch a game, set your bet level, and have fun!

Features most Canadian gambling sites share

The iGaming industry has been steadily developing since the 1990s. The original online casinos were powered by a single gaming studio, like Microgaming or RealTime Gaming, and supported credit card payments only. Of course, playing on the move was out of the question, and support took days to respond.

Today, the recommended online casinos provide an extremely high standard of service that guarantees the following:

  • Safety: Digital gambling sites host important information players share with them, including banking and personal details. To approve an operator, they must safeguard those with advanced SSL encryption software as a minimum. A valid and active iGaming license is another non-negotiable criterion a casino must meet.
  • Transparency: The company behind the casino, terms of service, business address, founder, gambling help, and eligibility criteria must be clearly visible on the online casino site and easy to understand. If we spot unclear clauses or unfair rules, we lower the casino’s rating and raise caution. 
  • Bonuses: The welcome bonus or package must include a first (or more) deposit bonus that boosts your money at a 100% or higher rate. Free spins and no deposit bonuses also help achieve higher bonus ratings. Low wagering requirements, no max winning caps, high max bet, varied game eligibility, and reasonable qualifying deposit underpin the casino’s welcome bonus true value. Promos for existing users that casinos often extend are referral programs, VIP schemes, tournaments, reload bonuses, and weekly free spins. Regular cashback and birthday bonuses are other perks you might encounter.
  • Games: The bare minimum is 1,000 online casino games. In most cases, the lobby is 90% packed with slot machines. Live and virtual table games, scratchcards, keno, bingo, jackpots, game shows, and instant-win games are also widely available. The quality of games and variety of features depends on the companies behind them. Top-rated casinos rent games from 20+ studios that are licensed to operate in the country; major brands include Big Time Gaming, Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Games Global, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and Nolimit.
  • Support: Live chat is the gold standard for casino customer support. Bots might initiate the dialog but access to real agents is a prerequisite for us. Email support, FAQs, a Help Centre, and a contact form are the main alternatives to resolve problems or ask for help at casinos. Phone support is also provided by some online casinos, but not all.
  • Compatibility: Most of our readers play casino games on mobile. All approved online casinos are fully compatible with smartphones and tablets, and the user experience is identical to the desktop or laptop casino. Native apps might also be available for installation via the website or by visiting the virtual app stores and searching for the casino brand.
  • User Experience: All main categories are one-click away from the menu, the games can be filtered by provider or category, and access is instant via all devices and browsers. Registration, verification, and payments go through instantly or within 24 hours.
  • Responsible Gaming: Deposit, spending, and loss limits with customizable settings can be manually activated. You have the option to take a break or self-exclude from the casino at any point. Casinos also include links to responsible gambling bodies and support groups.

Areas that help operators stand out from the crowd include a distinctive theme, competitive bonuses, lenient wagering requirements, unique payment options or limits, and above-board customer services. You should consult our casino reviews and pay attention to the aspects that matter most to you, knowing that Bonus1-approved operators universally provide the above features.

Bonus1 helps you play casino games with an edge

We don’t just review casinos and their bonuses at Bonus1. Our team shares game guides, news stories, editorial pieces, banking method insights, and more. You should bookmark our site or sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest posts from our authors.

CA online casino news

Watch this space for the latest developments in the market. We never fail to share legal iGaming developments, major new game releases, gambling awards, and events. Staying on top of the latest happenings can help you discover new bonus opportunities and games with unique features while staying in the know about upcoming iGaming regulations.

Reviews of Canadian casinos

We work around the clock to review all legal online casinos in Canada and secure exclusive welcome bonuses for our readers. You can find our expertly written reviews of CA casinos by our local editorial team and see what they experienced playing there. Check back regularly to never miss out on new no deposit bonuses or time-sensitive contests.

Responsible gambling in Canada

Gambling responsibly goes beyond finding a safe and legal online casino. While most of our work revolves around this aspect, we regularly share posts to help you effectively manage your casino bankroll and stay in control of your gaming.

Further, the online casinos we promote, and our RSG page, include links to local support groups and contacts for gambling help. To stay on top of your gaming, we recommend proactively utilizing deposit and session limits at gambling sites. Self-exclusion is the ultimate step to abstain from gambling. Canadian players can also utilize the following responsible gambling bodies to manage their gaming or ask for help:

  • RGC
  • Gaming authority of your territory

Frequently Asked Questions about online gambling in Canada

What is the minimum gambling age in Canada?

The minimum gambling age at Canada online casinos is 18 or 19 years old.

Are online casinos legal in Canada?

Online casinos operating overseas are legal in Canada, except for Ontario that locally regulates gambling sites. Legal casinos must be licensed by an official authority like the UKGC or the MGA.

Who regulates gambling in Canada?

Every territory has a body responsible for the regulation of online casinos in Canada. For now, only Ontario issues online casino licenses. The rest territories don’t allow local casinos to operate online, so you can rely on international online casinos with strong licenses for your gaming. 

Are there any restrictions at Canadian online casinos?

Online casinos in Canada must abide by the laws set out by the authority licensing gambling in each territory. These include age verification checks, KYC checks, and more.

Which online casino has the best bonus for Canadian players?

At Bonus1, we regularly update our list of online casino bonuses, and the best depends on your needs. Check out our reviews and see our expert assessment of every bonus at the operators we tested.

How to verify my casino account?

Online casinos verify their players’ identities right after registration. You might need to upload an ID or Passport, an official document showing your registered address, a screenshot of the banking method used, etc. You will usually be asked to share the above before your first withdrawal, depending on the operator.

What payment methods do CA casinos support?

Canadian online casinos process transactions via debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), online bank transfers (Interac, Trustly, Instant), prepaid cards, eWallets (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal), mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and more methods.