Over the last couple of years, the Canadian gambling industry has undergone significant development and according to the majority of market analysts, it has become a main component of the entertainment industry on the territory of the country. As a result, the Canadian economy was further boosted due to the considerable revenues and the number of citizens employed in the casino sector.
Although all kinds of gambling activities are popular among Canadians and the demand for high-quality gaming products is constantly increasing, Canadian gaming laws seem to be a bit too complicated.
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As far as online gambling on Canadian soil is concerned, it is a relatively new form of entertainment. The first attempts for legalizing the remote gambling activities were made in 2009. Every Canadian province is allowed to decide whether to allow its residents to participate in remote gambling activities or not.
Online gambling on the territory of Canada is closely monitored by gambling officials and any violation is a subject to heavy sanctions.
Online Gambling in Canada
Canadian gambling regulators have been reluctant to take any actions towards online gambling legislation for quite some time but the growing demand for online and offline casino games left them with no choice other than reviewing the existing laws and making them less strict.
The Canadian Criminal Code was amended and casino operators were given the chance to apply for a license and enter the untapped gambling sector in the most promising regions.
There are brick and mortar casinos on the territory of Canada but the number of games they offer is a bit limited as compared to those you can find in online casinos. There are provinces that manage their own online casinos. Canadian residents are also allowed to buy lottery tickets over the Internet.
All online casino operators that do not have the required licences, are prosecuted and considered illegal. Yet, there are operators looking for ways to remain on the Canadian gambling market without paying the necessary taxes. The most common loophole operators take advantage of is the following: when a certain operator is based in a country where the online gambling is legalized, they pretend they should not comply with the Canadian gambling laws.
Currently, attempts are made towards making the online gambling sector even safer for both operators and players.
How to check if a casino is legitimate?
Everyone who has experienced troubles with the online casino they used to have an account with knows how many troubles an illegal casino can bring. You might have issues with withdrawing your winnings or experience different setbacks during the gameplay. That is why it is essential to create an account with a casino that is a reliable and licensed one. Admittedly, the market is oversaturated with websites pretending to be trustworthy and legally allowed to operate on the territory of the country.
If you are planning to create an account at a certain online casino, don’t forget to do some thorough research prior to signing up. You may rest assured that your gambling experience will be trouble – free if the online casino has the following features:
- It is licensed by strict jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Malta
- Check for how long the casino has been operating
- Pay attention to the software the casino is using. The best online casinos are powered by leading software providers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Realtime Gaming
- You can easily find “about us” section as well as terms and conditions that are as detailed as possible and contain all essential information a player should know
- A seal from eCOGRA indicates that the casino is a verified one
- Check the encryption technologies the casino is using. SSL and/or RSA data encryption is essential
- User-friendly design and functionality, so you can easily find your favourite games
- Another thing you should take into account is the payout percentage. Compare the RTP of several online casinos before you make your final decision
What to expect from a reliable online casino?
- First of all, any verified online casino ensures excellent customer service round the clock. An experienced, dedicated and competent operator is available for live chat and you can rely on their assistance if you meet any difficulties.
- A reputable online casino is never going to share your confidential personal and bank information with third parties.
- The lobby should be easy to use and you should find all essential information related to software provider, games review as well as information about the casino itself in the “About us” section or at the bottom of the home page.
- Trustworthy casinos that have thousands of customers can afford it to pay out a juicy welcome and first deposit bonus. Yet, some requirements need to be met. Although the amount of the welcome bonus should not be the main reason for creating an account at a certain casino, it is still a positive sign that it is not a scam. There is another side of the coin, though. Beware of unrealistically high bonuses that seem to be too easy to withdraw. In most cases that’s not a legitimate casino.
- A reputable online casino accepts verified payment methods only.
Accepted currency and payment methods for Canadians?
As mentioned earlier, the Canadian online gambling sector is closely monitored and the available payment methods are fewer as compared to those accepted by European casinos. As for the currency, most casinos accept Canadian dollars as well as Euro and American dollars. If you want to deposit funds to a casino that does not accept Canadian dollars, they usually provide the option of converting the amount into an accepted currency in accordance with the exchange rate. However, some fees apply.
You have a number of options for depositing and withdrawing your winnings but before you opt for one of them, you have to check whether your bank processes transactions to and from gambling-related websites. For instance, if you have a MasterCard, you might not be allowed to use it for withdrawal purposes, while you should not have any issues with depositing.
The other payment options popular among Canadian players are Citadel Direct North America, PaySafeCard, Instadebit, VISA. No matter which one of them you choose, you will have your funds available in your casino account in no time. However, the withdrawal may take up to several business days.
Many players are concerned about the bank details they have to share in order to make a money transfer but the aforementioned payment methods are considered the safest ones. Plus, you can also opt for a prepaid card and you will not be supposed to enter any sensitive data.
Legitimate Online Casinos in Canada?
It does not matter if you are a passionate player or you play from time to time, it is crucial to have an account at a casino that is 100% safe. Below, you will find casinos that have consolidated their positions on the global gaming market. They are associated with reliability, security, transparency and last but not least, high RTP and welcome bonuses. As for the games available, they are powered by some of the best software providers, which means you will enjoy incredible graphics and sound effects combined with great payouts and easy to navigate control buttons.
Casino.com
Casino.com is a Playtech powered online casino that welcomes Canadian players. You will find a wide variety of slot and table games that can keep you on the edge of your seat for quite some time. Canadian players are enabled to deposit their funds through Instadebit or Citadel Internet banking.
In order to get started, it is recommended to download and install the casino software but you also have the option of playing in your browser. There is real money and fun mode as well. You can start playing within a few minutes after you create an account. You are eligible for a solid bonus when you make your first deposit. You can enjoy your favourite games from any location as Casino.com is available in mobile format. Live dealer casino games are among the favourite options of players. The Gibraltar Gambling Commission has issued a license to Casino.com, which therefore means that it is one you can trust in when it comes to safety.
Every regular player is included in a loyalty program that enables them to redeem the collected points for attractive awards.
William Hill
William Hill is a reputable brand featuring a vast array of gambling-related products and services. It is powered by one of the most prominent software providers, which makes it a leader as far as quality and quantity of games are concerned. Canada-based players are welcome to create an account with William Hill. The casino accepts Canadian dollars and you can deposit/ withdraw your winnings through debit/credit card, bank transfer, Instadebit and UseMyBank.
You can start playing immediately after creating an account and verifying your identity. You are advised to download the casino software and enter the code for receiving a welcome bonus. Mobile and live gaming options are also available. William Hill’s license has been issued by the Gibraltar Gambling Commission.
Betway
Betway is a prestigious online casino licensed by one of the most strict regulators in Europe – the UK Gambling Commission. Canadian players are welcome to create an account and enjoy the incredible games powered by yet another leader in the gambling industry – Microgaming. Canada-based players can deposit funds via credit/ debit cards, electronic transfers and a number of web wallets such as Instadebit, EcoPayz.
As mentioned earlier, you can consider a casino safe if you see the eCOGRA seal on the home page. You can also rely on courteous customer support and the convenience the mobile casino games provide you with. You can play from any place, at any time. Betway mobile casino is compatible with all major operating systems and mobile devices.
Mr Green
Mr Green is one of the casinos that have gained such incredible popularity worldwide that you can hardly meet a player who has not heard about it. The casino is powered by NetEnt and Betsoft and it puts emphasis on the responsible gaming and the proper behaviour during the game. Upon creating an account at Mr Green, you will be amazed by the great collection of slot and table games including but not limited to Caribbean stud poker, craps, baccarat, sic bo, keno, virtual horse racing, etc. They are available for instant play but for your convenience, you can also download and install the software. The games are compatible with the most widespread OS, so you can play through your smartphone or tablet virtually from any location. In addition, players can also enjoy live casino games.
If you are a Canada-based player, the available deposit methods are VISA/MasterCard, Instadebit, PaySafe and Click and buy. The casino is licensed and regulated by Maltese gambling authorities.
Omni
Omni Casino is a respected casino powered by Playtech. It accepts Canadian players who can count on courteous customer service and a wide variety of games to choose from. If you are familiar with Playtech’s policy, you know that they do not compromise with quality, which means you will have an unparalleled gambling experience. As far as the deposit methods available for Canadians are concerned, they include Instadebit, VISA/ MasterCard, Citadel Internet Banking. Omni Casino is fully licensed by the Government of Curaçao. Currently, Omni Casino offers neither live nor mobile gaming but you can always play exciting games in your browser or download the casino software. Don’t forget to check the bonuses you qualify for.
