Is it Safe to Play Casino Games Online?
Playing online casino games in Canada is as safe as online banking. Reputable casinos are government licensed and regulated, and you also have Canada’s consumer protection laws working for you.
Common sense and a little due diligence also go a long way, the same as when shopping online.
Is it Legal to play online casino games in Canada?
Online casino gambling has been legal in Canada since 1996. Today, Canadians are able to play online with casinos that are regulated by a national government or by a Canadian provincial government where the player resides.
BC, Manitoba, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces each currently offer residents a provincially regulated site. Recently, Ontario went as far as regulating iGaming in the province with the launch of Ontario iGaming.
Throughout our site, you can depend on the fact that we only promote fully licenced online casinos – all of which accept Canadian players!
Are online casino games fair?
Canadians are all about fair play and good sportsmanship but, don’t try to play a player. Like any game, online casino games have rules that both parties need to follow.
And, online casinos in Canada have a strong incentive (business survival) to keep things honest on their end.
Random Number Generator (RNG) software is only one of the prerequisites an online casino needs to meet to obtain an international gaming license.
RNGs govern the slots, and roulette wheel, and shuffle the cards instead of a human. It’s the same technology used to generate lottery numbers across Canada.
Feel familiar now?
They also have referees – or umpires if you prefer, to make sure everything remains on the up and up, and they never make a bad call.
Random Number Generators
Governments and licensing authorities use third-party auditors to monitor RNG and other transparency programs that the online casinos have in place.
A world leader is BMM Testlabs, a true Canadian success story for forty years and who monitors the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation – OLG.
UK-based eCOGRA is another internationally accredited player protection and standards organization, as is Malta’s GLI.
Look for these company seals of approval prominently displayed on the online casino’s homepage.
How do Online Casino Games Work in Canada?
Thanks to the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, online gambling is available to everyone with a mobile phone and provides players with an amazing choice of involvement.
Online gambling could be your first acquaintance with artificial reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies that have transformed gameplay into a fully immersive player experience, transporting you inside the casino.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving casino room design and atmospherics to a level that virtually puts players inside the game rooms.
Expect to see Cloud gaming technology improve high-resolution graphics even further and replace software programs that may be cumbersome for mobile phones.
It’s the future of the online casino gambling experience.
Improved security software and the wide choice of payment options have made online transactions virtually hackproof.
This is where fingerprint and facial recognition programs work to the full benefit of protecting players.
Why Play Online Casino Games?
The reasons to play online casino games are many and varied but players around the world agree on one: It’s FUN!
Let’s huddle up around the whiteboard and have a quick look at the most popular reasons in Canada (and just about everywhere else) to play online.
| Online casino games | Land-based casino games | |
|---|---|---|
| Play everywhere | ✓ | ✗ |
| Play anytime | ✓ | ✗ |
| Safety | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wider selection | ✓ | ✗ |
- Play everywhere!
Mobile casino games give you the opportunity to play wherever you are.
- Play anytime you want
Online casinos never close and you can play casino games online 24/7.
- Your Safe
Online casino games are as safe to play as land-based casino games
- Wider selection of games
The choice of online casino games is far larger than those offered by land-based casinos. Online casinos introduce exciting new casino games almost daily.
Different Online Casino Games Available in Canada
The choice of online casino games available to Canadian players provides something for everyone.
Most online casinos offer a broad selection of games but some are more focused on slots, card games, or even specialize in live games.
It’s time to get your game faces on as we stare down some of the most popular casino games offered in Canada!
Online Slots
Online slots present players with a world of options.
From the classic three-reel slots reminiscent of the Vegas one-armed bandits – the easiest to learn on – to Virtual Reality (VR) slots that immerse you in the casino floor environment, the choice is yours.
Online slots are a favourite because of the straightforward method to play.
We review all the best slots in Canada
We’ve done the homework for you to put together a great game strategy by reviewing the best slots in Canada!
Whether you’re looking for the best player experience, mobile-friendly or anything else about online slots, you’ll find out about it in our reviews.
Some of the world-class online slots we’ve reviewed include:
New slots
Online slots are so universally popular that game providers have started to specialize their offerings based on the technologies they use, introducing new and exciting online slots games to the market regularly.
Some game developers focus on style and interactive creativity, others on player ease of use and pure entertainment value, along with exciting jackpots of course!
Different types of slot games
Not all online slot games are created equal. Most fall into one of a few categories you may already or should become familiar with.
Knowing which classification an online slots game falls within will help you find your preferred games to play.
As mentioned, Classic slots are based on the mechanical machine that built Las Vegas, are simple to learn and offer great ‘Neon Strip’ excitement.
Megaways® online slot games have revolutionized gameplay with licensed software that multiplies winning opportunities.
These online slot games have taken Canada by storm. Progressive slots add a portion of players’ wagers to the jackpot, leading to legendary payouts.
All online slot games come with a volatility rating from low to high, giving you the ability to choose your appetite for risk before wagering.
Online Poker
The most popular online card game for Canadians – hands down – is poker. It’s eminently familiar, probably because we all tried our luck with the strip version at one time or another in our youth.
It’s also a game most of us grew up playing for fun with friends and relatives.
What is poker?
For the uninitiated and in brief, poker is a card game where two or more players bet on the value of the hands they are dealt.
There are an endless variety of methods to play and variations of games to choose from however, they are all designed to be wagered on.
Texas Hold’Em, Omaha or Stud Poker?
While the list of poker variations seems endless, they all fall within a dozen categories, of which the three main types are Draw, Stud and Shared.
Draw poker offers the player the chance to discard cards and ask for replacements from the dealer.
In Stud poker, some of the players’ cards are dealt face up and can be seen by opponents.
In Shared or Community poker, some cards dealt face-up can be used by all players to form part of their hand. Texas Hold’Em is a shared game and has become so popular that it is now synonymous with the term poker.
Online Blackjack
Yes, otherwise known as 21s, and almost unique in its ability to compel us to say to another human being; “Hit me!” and absolutely mean it.
While not as popular as poker in Canada, Blackjack is the number one online casino card game worldwide.
The excitement it generates could also be one of the reasons most of us wish we were twenty-one again…
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack feels like the ultimate one-on-one where players thrill to going up against the house!
It’s a game of cards where each card is assigned its numeric value, face cards are worth ten, and aces are worth one or eleven.
Whoever gets closest to twenty-one without going over wins. No matter how many players are at the table, you only play against the house.
How to play Blackjack?
Like poker, Blackjack sometimes requires steely nerves and always a solid understanding of the rules, betting and odds.
There are a number of strategies available, but the most successful remains simple mathematics. The house will usually hold at seventeen.
Can you say the same?
What Blackjack variants are available online?
Classic (or American) Blackjack remains the most popular online card game, followed closely by European Blackjack.
A British variant – sometimes called Pontoon – is often offered by international online casino operators. Blackjack Perfect Pairs is another favourite.
Blackjack variants are being introduced frequently, so be sure to read up on new game rules before playing.
Online Baccarat
Nothing brings a sense of style to mind like Baccarat.
Once the roped-off realm of the high rollers in the world’s most prestigious casinos, the card game of chance is reminiscent of tuxedos and tiaras.
Online baccarat has revealed the game’s mystique and it remains every bit as exciting.
What is Baccarat?
Simply stated, Baccarat is a card game consisting of two hands; those of the bank and the player. Each hand is either two or three cards.
Like Blackjack, the cards have a numerical value assigned. The hand containing the highest number wins.
How to play Baccarat?
More than any other card game, Baccarat is almost exclusively a game of chance.
There are some variations of the original, and you should always acquaint yourself with the rules of the particular game before playing.
That said, Baccarat is appealing for the nearly nonexistent house advantage built into most casino games. If you’re on intimate terms with Lady Luck, Baccarat is the ideal game for you.
What Baccarat variants can I play online?
The most popular variant of Baccarat is Punto Banco because it is so close to the classical version.
Baccarat Banque and Chemin De Fer are more popular with francophone players, and European Baccarat more closely resembles Blackjack in that an additional card can be called for with this variant.
Online Roulette
Online Roulette recreates that spinning wheel we are all so familiar with. Place your wager on gravity and hope the little ball falls your way!
One of the most popular online table games in Canada, Roulette is a favourite from coast to coast.
What is Roulette?
Roulette is a game of chance based on a spinning wheel that contains pockets around the circumference numbered from zero to thirty-six.
A corresponding table reflecting those numbers – black for even, red for odd – allows players to place wagers on their preferred number.
After bets are placed, a small ball is placed on the wheel and the wheel is spun. When it comes to a stop, the small ball will lodge in a number pocket, deciding the winning number and colour.
How to play Roulette?
As with every game, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the specific game rules, the betting options and the odds.
That said, Roulette is a straightforward online game to learn and is considered to be among the most relaxing by experienced players.
The betting options are varied and depending on the game style you choose, your odds of winning can increase. Choosing the best wheel is just one of the strategies players can exploit to increase their odds.
Roulette variants to play online
Game developers have taken Roulette to the next level with incredible graphics and interactive player experiences but in the main, three Roulette variants stand out.
The American Roulette wheel has thirty-eight numbers. The double zero pocket cuts players’ odds dramatically with the extra number and favours nothing but the house.
This should be your last choice of game.
The European Roulette wheel has one zero, dramatically improving players’ odds, but is still not as favourable as the French Roulette wheel.
French Roulette also has more player-friendly betting rules. The little extra time it may take to learn a few French betting terms could parlez some serious cash into your pockets!
Online Dice Games
Dice games have been around for thousands of years and played in some form or another by just about every culture.
Originally fashioned from wood or animal bone, today’s online casino dice games have a long history and remain every bit as exciting as they were in the days of old.
What are Casino Dice Games?
Casino dice games attract players who feel a need for speed.
Faster than cards and somehow more involving, dice bring physical skills into play; the twist of the wrist, release point, and the all-or-nothing shake for luck before a throw.
Thanks to amazing graphics and software, dice are every bit as exciting to play online!
What Types of dice games can I play online?
Hollywood introduced the game of Craps to the world. Craps is the most popular dice game online and is offered by every casino.
Sic Bo is a close second, and more popular in the Asian market from which it originates. Hazard is a dice game that Craps is thought to be based on, so the games share a number of rules yet have some exciting differences.
Live Casino Games
You may have heard of or already play “Live” casino games online. Live casino is not software generated. It’s a broadcast from a studio of a real game featuring real people.
Cameras cover the dealers, table and room while players remain anonymous. Live casinos operate in shifts around the clock, so participation is available 24/7.
Most of the table games we’ve covered; Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Craps, are all available at Live online casinos.
If you prefer hearing the conversations and the spin of the wheel and watching the cards shuffled and dealt by a friendly, knowledgeable dealer, Live casino is for you.
Game shows
Taking Live casinos a step further, online game shows are breaking new ground for players who love the familiar setup of their favourite games and shows and can participate as contestants from the comfort of the living room.
Wheel and Bingo-style games are currently the most popular, led by familiar names like Monopoly and Deal or no Deal.
Costumes, actors, elaborate sets and a betting element – stay tuned for your favourite TV shows to cross over into online casino game shows!
Best Casino Games for Beginners
If you’re new to online casinos and betting, you may understandably feel a little intimidated. Worry not!
Almost all online games have a free option or demo mode where you can try your luck and learn the games with zero risk.
Online slots are the best place to start.
Playing is simple and there’s a world of game choices available. Roulette is also excellent for beginners, no strategy is involved and like slots, the results are random – winning is down to luck.
Blackjack is the best card game to start with. The rules are few and straightforward. After a few rounds, you’ll feel like a pro.
Casino Games Providers in Canada
A quick word about the companies behind your online gaming experience. Casino game providers develop the software and games we all enjoy online.
They drive the technological improvements that have helped revolutionize the online experience across the internet.
Providers like NetEnt and Big Time Gaming have been at the forefront in creating a number of the most popular gaming experiences and features players thrill to today.
We review all the Providers in Canada
Apart from games and casinos, we also review all of the providers producing spectacular games and look at the directions the technology is moving in!
Big Time Gaming has been developing games since 1996 and created the Megaways® software that provides players with numerous added options to win at online slots.
Evolution Gaming – as the name implies, led the mobile game technology you use on your phone today and are world leaders in Live casino games. The company is NASDAQ listed.
Play N’Go is a global leader in gaming software. Known for its superb graphics and wide range of online slot games, you’ll see this provider featured at the majority of online casinos in Canada.
Where to Play Casino Games Online? – Conclusion
So now you’re a player! Want to play casino games online but not certain where to look? Our online casino reviews are the best place to start.
All of the casinos we review are licensed, safe and reliable for responsive service and a worry-free online gambling experience.
It’s Go time and we’re with you every step of the way, so get your game face on – you’ve got this!