Canada’s laws are fairly open when it comes to online gambling. Because there is a wide selection of legal websites on offer, it can be hard to determine which are the best online gambling sites in Canada, and which are worth skipping. In this guide, we’ve provided some recommendations on which are the most fun, safe and fair sites for Canadian players. To get started, you can choose right away from the list below, or continue reading.
Canada Online Gambling Sites | Welcome Bonus | Gaming Types | Secure Link |
---|---|---|---|
1. Betway | C$1000 |
|
betway.com/can/ |
2. William Hill Sport | C$250 In Free Bets |
|
sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ca |
3. Grand Ivy | C$1,500 +100 Spins |
|
grandivy.com |
4. 888poker | C$88 Free Play |
|
888pokerworld.com |
5. William Hill | C$300 In Free Bets |
|
williamhillcasino.com |
6. Playojo | 50 Free Spins Wager Free |
|
playojo.com/ca/ |
7. 888ladies | C$250 In Free Bets |
|
888ladies.com |
8. NetBet | C$200 +25 Spins |
|
netbet.com |
On this page, we will only recommend sites that are completely legitimate, safe and licensed. It’s important to us that our readers only sign up with trustworthy online casinos and sportsbooks that have a proven track record of paying out winnings on time and offer fair odds and secure gambling products.
We have dedicated a number of sections of this guide on how to spot a top gambling site, and we’ve covered everything including the games, security and payment methods. If you’re unaware of what you can do to verify the trustworthiness of an online gambling site, we recommend you continue reading.
The Top 8 Canadian Good Gambling Sites by Category
- Betway (Best Online Gambling Site)
- William Hill Sportsbook (Top Sports Betting Website)
- Grand Ivy Casino (Good Site for Online Slots in Canada)
- 888poker (Great for Table Games: Poker & Blackjack)
- William Hill Casino (Live Dealer Casino Games)
- PlayOJO (Recommended Site for Welcome Bonus)
- 888Ladies (Best Bingo Site)
- NetBet (Gambling Site with the Best Payouts)
Best Canadian Online Casinos
There are several things to look out for when trying to determine what makes a good online casino. Firstly, you’ll need to verify that the site is safe, secure and licensed. This means that no matter what, you can always enjoy your experience knowing that gameplay will be fair and you are protected from scams.
Next, take a look at what games are on offer. The best online gambling sites will offer many titles of games such as slots, table games and poker by award-winning software providers. The top sites, like those we’ve listed below, will also give you the opportunity to play both demo and real money versions of games.
Canada Online Casino | Welcome Bonus | Games | Secured By | Trusted Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Betway | C$1,000 |
|
eCOGRA | betway.com/can/ |
2. 888casino | C$1,500 + $88 Free Play |
|
McAfee | ca.888casino.com |
If you’ve discovered that the site is safe and offers a huge library of games that appeal to you, you may be ready to sign up. Before you do, though, check that the site offers a decent welcome bonus for new players and regular promotions for loyal customers. This is bound to increase your enjoyment at a site.
Other things to look out for include the quality of the website’s design and theme, the helpfulness of the customer support and the payment methods available. The best online casinos will accept a number of popular payment methods that have a reputation for speed and security.
Legal Online Sportsbooks in Canada
Canada’s sports betting laws are somewhat restrictive as to what bets are tolerated, but this doesn’t mean players have no access to the market at all. In fact, there are several top international sports betting websites that accept Canadian customers, which is great news for this nation of sports-lovers.
Without a doubt, ice hockey is the most popular sport in Canada. Canadian teams compete and dominate in the NHL league, making them a great team to bet on. Other popular sports leagues to bet on in Canada include the NBA and NHL. Below, you will find the top Canadian online sportsbooks.
Canada Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Markets | Betting App Security | Trusted Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. William Hill Sport | C$250 in Free Bets |
|
IBAS | sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ca |
2. Betway Sports | C$200 |
|
IBAS | betway.com/can/ |
If you want to kick-start your time at an online sportsbook with some perks, try to find some exciting welcome bonuses and promotions to claim. The most common types of sportsbook promotions include free bets, first-wager profit boosts, competitive odds, risk-free wagers and first-time deposit bonuses.
The most important thing to do before you sign up to a sportsbook is verify that the site is legal and licensed in Canada. Not only does the country have particularly strict laws about illegal gambling with unapproved sites, but there’s no way to guarantee your safety if you’re betting with a site without a license. The sports betting sites found above all hold the proper licenses to operate in Canada.
Best Live Dealer Sites for Table Games
Live dealer casino games are one of the most exciting trends in online gambling in recent years. If you’ve never played live games before, these allow you to stream real-life dealers into your mobile or computer screen to give the most immersive online gambling experience possible.
There is nothing else that does such a good job to replicate the land-based casino experience quite like live dealer casinos. Here, you can play games such as blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat, as well as unique gambling versions of popular titles like Deal or No Deal and Monopoly. Here are some of the best options for live table games in Canada.
Canada Live Casino | Welcome Bonus | Live Games | Secured By | Trusted Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. 888casino | C$1,500 + $88 Free Play |
|
McAfee | ca.888casino.com |
2. William Hill | C$300 |
|
Rapid SSL | williamhillcasino.com/ca/ |
3. Leovegas | C$500 for Live Casino |
|
Digicert | leovegas.com/en-ca/ |
There are several top live game developers whose names are synonymous with quality. While NetEnt and Playtech have created beautiful studio set-ups, the best live games developer Evolution Gaming. The Evolution studios are particularly elegant, and the team is behind some truly imaginative games that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you want to play online real money table and card titles but aren’t interested in the live format, we suggest you try virtual table games. These allow you to play games such as poker, blackjack and roulette against computers without the pressure of time constraints. Most importantly, virtual table games have some of the highest RTPs of all casino games.
Top Canadian Online Poker Sites
Online poker is a popular pastime in Canada. For those who may be confused, online poker is different from virtual poker as it pits real players against each other instead of against computers. These games are enjoyed by some of the world’s best poker players, and they are a great opportunity to practice.
In fact, it’s common for online poker games to offer huge prize pools that rival land-based games. Online poker comes in many forms, with single events and tournaments hosting games such as Texas Hold’em, Stud, Omaha and much more.
Canadian Poker Site | Poker Bonus | Poker Types | Secured By | Trusted Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Party Poker | C$40 Free Play |
|
eCOGRA | partypoker.com |
2. 888poker | C$88 No Deposit |
|
eCOGRA | 888poker.com/canada/ |
Canadians are lucky to be able to enjoy these games, as many countries have outlawed online poker as a form of illegal gambling. These countries overlook the element of skill involved in poker, and so consider it gambling. Fortunately, Canada is not one of those countries.
Above, you can find the top online poker sites in Canada. As you can see, each poker site hosts a variety of different game types and offers an array of bonuses. We’re confident that there’s something there for everyone.
How to Tell if a Gambling Site Is Safe and Legal
As we have briefly mentioned above, it is essential to determine the safety and security of a website before you sign up with it. Not only will this ensure that you’re not breaking the law, but it will protect you against predatory practises and scams.
The internet is filled with unsafe websites, so you must do your best to avoid harmful scams. In this section, we have outlined the ways that you can verify that an online gambling site is trustworthy. It’s worth mentioning that all of our best online gambling sites have passed these tests with flying colours.
The Legality of Online Gambling in Canada
Land-based and online gambling is regulated at both the federal and provincial level, so the specific laws concerning what is legal will depend on where you are located. Online casino gambling is entirely legal, although players are only allowed to use casinos that are operated outside of the country.
Other than this, some provinces have limitations on what kind of sports bets can be made, and there are even varying legal gambling ages from province to province. Regardless of these differences, Canadians are still able to enjoy a relatively free online gambling market, and can enjoy a wide array of gambling types.
It’s worth noting that it’s impossible to find a trustworthy site in a jurisdiction where online gambling is illegal. If an operator openly ignores the rules of a country and accepts players illegally, this indicates that it may not be acting legally in other business practices. If it’s illegal, avoid it.
Licensing and Security Features
The security and licensing of a legal online gambling site may not sound especially glamorous, but this doesn’t mean it’s not important. Ensuring that a casino or sportsbook has implemented security features such as encryption is one of the best ways to know that your private information and bank details are protected.
Encryption technology will protect your connection to a site. You can verify that encryption is used by checking for a padlock within the URL bar.
Most importantly, you should only use a gambling site that has a license. While it is illegal for most online gambling sites to operate within Canada, foreign operators are legal. However, as Canada doesn’t regulate these sites, it’s important to ensure that they have earned a license from a reputable overseas gaming authority.
Licensing ensures that you will always receive your payout, that games are fair, and that the site is committed to offering responsible gambling. Regulators such as the UKGC and the MGA are two trustworthy organizations when it comes to gambling licensing.
Available Casino Game Types
Online slot machines are the most popular online casino game type in Canada. These games will almost always make up the vast majority of a casino’s games catalogue, and come in endless different variations. The best online gambling sites will stock the most popular slots from award-winning software companies.
If a site stocks the software of numerous developers, this indicates that the casinos committed to offering a varied and fair product. It’s also important to see that casinos offer other game types, such as poker, blackjack, roulette and more. Below, you can find some of the most popular casino game types in Canada.
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Craps
- Video Poker
- Live Dealer Games
- Baccarat
- Keno
In recent years, it has become standard for good online casinos to offer the majority of their games on mobile devices. A top mobile casino should be sleek and responsive, well-stocked with the most popular games and compatible with iOS and Android devices.
While some may create specific mobile apps, many casinos offer mobile-compatible browser websites that function just as seamlessly. Whether you want to play demo versions or real money games, mobile casinos will cater to your needs.
New Customer Promotions
Welcome bonuses are a particularly exciting benefit of signing up with a new casino. Bonuses come in many different forms, including deposit matches, no-deposit bonuses, free spins and free sports bets. These can be claimed easily, either by finding them on the website promotions page or by clicking on a ‘Claim Bonus’ link like those featured on this site.
Below, you can find some of the top welcome bonuses available to Canadian gamblers and their terms and conditions.
Gambling Site | Bonus Amount | Bonus Type | Min Deposit |
---|---|---|---|
1. Betway | C$1,000 | Casino Welcome Bonus | C$10 |
2. 888casino | C$1,500 + $88 Free Play Promo Code: welcome1 | No Deposit Bonus | C$10 |
3. William Hill Sports | C$250 in Free Bets w/ Code: CAN250 | Free Sports Bet | C$20 |
4. playojo | 50 Free Spins | Free Spins No Wager | C$10 |
5. leovegas | C$500 for Live Casino | Free Play Poker Bonus | C$10 |
6. party poker | C$40 Free Play | Poker Bonus | C$10 |
7. 888ladies | C$70 | Bingo Bonus | C$10 |
Just to be clear, you don’t need to claim a welcome bonus when you sign up to a new casino, and in some cases, it may not be worth it. Each bonus comes with its own terms and conditions that determine its value, including the wagering requirements, the game contributions and the validity.
These terms may be impossible for you to meet or essentially render the bonus useless. It’s important that you don’t let the terms influence how much you play, but instead enjoy the games at your own leisure.
The Payment Methods Available
The first thing that you’ll need to do after having your identity verified at the sign-up stage is make your first real money deposit. It’s important to choose a site that accepts a number of different popular payment options as opposed to methods that are uncommon, slow and come with unfair costs.
Only use casinos that accept encrypted and secure payment methods if you want to guarantee your online financial security. Below are the most popular payment methods for Canadian players.
- PayPal: is one of the most popular e-Wallet used around the world. It is known for its world-class security features and versatility.
- Visa: is one of the most popular credit card companies. It is fast, reliable, convenient and loaded with security features. You can always trust a Visa casino.
- Mastercard: is another popular credit card option that functions similarly to Visa. It is highly secure and protected against scams and identity theft.
- Bitcoin: is a widely-used and respected crypto-currency. Bitcoin is being increasingly adopted by online casinos for its security features and lack of fees.
- Bank Transfer: allow players to simply transfer their funds from their banks to their casino account. Bank transfers support both deposits and withdrawals.
- E-Wallets: allow for users to consolidate numerous financial accounts into one place. These allow for a great oversight of finances, are fast and secure.
There are different perks to using each payment method that depend on how long transactions take, the minimum transaction amounts and fees associated with transactions. While we can safely say that all of the above methods are reliable, some are certainly faster and cheaper than others.
We suggest you take your time to review the Payments pages of the casino you sign up with. Every website is different and will facilitate these transactions in its own way.
Untrustworthy Gambling Sites
Now that you know what’s needed to spot a trustworthy gambling site, you should be able to use this knowledge to identify websites to avoid. For one, never trust a site without a license. Without a license, you have no guarantee that the website is offering fair game products or will even pay out your winnings.
If the website doesn’t accept popular banking methods, offers slow payouts and payment fees and has an unresponsive customer support team, you should also avoid it. There are plenty of trustworthy Canadian gambling sites available, so there’s really no reason to choose a bad website if you know what to look out for.
Final Thoughts
In this guide to the best gambling sites in Canada, we have proven that local players have some amazing, world-class operators to choose from for both casino and sportsbook gambling. There are plenty of top games options available, including slots, table games, poker and live dealer casinos.
All of the recommended websites have earned licenses from respectable international gaming jurisdictions, and all are legal to play in Canada. There are a number of generous welcome bonuses that are waiting to be claimed, and the most secure and reliable payment methods available for transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about the gambling market in Canada? In this section, we’ve addressed some points that we didn’t have space for in the guide. By reading this, you’ll discover some extra important information about Canadian gambling law and the local industry.
What is the Canada legal gambling age?
As Canada’s gambling laws vary from province-to-province, there are several gambling ages in Canada. In Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba, players must be 18 years and older to gamble. In all other provinces, the minimum gambling age is 19 years old. This applies to land-based and online options.
Are gambling winnings taxes in Canada?
Fortunately, Canadians do not have to pay taxes on gambling winnings. This applies to sports betting, horse racing, lotteries and online casino winnings. However, taxes must be paid on any interest earned from winnings, so this will need to be lodged on your tax return if it applies to you.
Can you actually win real money when gambling online?
Yes, you can win real money from gambling online in Canada. In this respect, online gambling is no different from land-based gambling. All you need to do is make your cash deposits to your online gambling website account, gamble it and win. Your winnings will be sent to your online wallet and you can withdraw it when you’re ready.
Is online gambling legal in Canada?
Yes, online gambling is legal in Canada. In some provinces, there are a number of gambling websites that are local and regulated, although, for the most part, Canadians are only permitted to use foreign websites that are based out of the country. Because Canadians have access to some top-notch international sites, they are free to play some of the most exciting games online.
Are Canada gambling sites safe?
Canadian gambling sites are safe as long as they are licensed. Licensing is an essential part of guaranteeing the safety and security of a website. This ensures that gambling sites are only offering fair products, will pay out your winnings on time and are committed to combating problem gambling.
More Good Gambling Guides
If you’re still hungry for more information about your Canadian gambling options, we’ve got you covered. We recommend you take a look at one of our guides below to discover more about the online gambling market, whether that be the top game types or reliable software developers. If you aren’t located and Canada, or plan on visiting, then you are on the incorrect page. To find the best online gambling option for your region, head to our online gambling in the homepage.