Best Online Casinos Canada

Gambling in Canada

Canada is a large country consisting of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Across the country, you will find land-based casino establishments as well as players enjoying gambling online. In recent years, the interest in online gambling has increased immensely and more and more casinos are targeting Canadian players. Some operate under a Canadian license while others are simply “offshore casinos” allowing Canadian players to sign up.

Similar to gambling in the US, Canada has some laws that are country-wide while others are up to each province and territory to decide. It can therefore be confusing. to know what is legal and not. As a general rule of thumb, online gambling is legal in Canada as long as you are playing at a site based and licensed overseas – meaning elsewhere than in Canada. Offline establishments are more of a grey area when looking into the laws, compared to the US where they are illegal.

Looking at Canada as a whole, the Canadian Gaming Commission oversees the industry. But the individual provinces can set their own laws that concern online casinos, sports betting and more. Let’s look at some examples:

• Québec is one of the most liberal provinces regarding gambling laws. Here there are more than 10 land-based casino establishments as well as two sites operated by Loto Québec: Espacejeux (casino)  and Mise-o-jeu (sports betting). Offline sites are also legal and people can start gambling from the age of 18.
• In British Columbia, people 19 years and older can gamble offline and online at licensed establishments. B.C.’s only legal online gambling site that is owned and operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation is playnow.com. But many players prefer to opt for an offshore gambling website, such as the recommendations listed in this guide.
• In Newfoundland and Labrador, land-based casino establishments are not permitted and there is no regulated gambling site, but offline sites can be used.

Similar variations in regulations and offers can be found across all provinces. But the one thing they all have in common is that offshore sites are not penalized. Quebec and Alberta are the only provinces where gamblers can be 18 years – in the rest, 19 is the minimum age.

Online Casinos in Canada

With the rise of online gambling and the grey area of offshore establishments, online casinos based around the world have expanded to the Canadian market in recent years. With only a few government-run casinos available but thousands of offshore casinos to choose from, most players prefer to opt for an option not based in Canada but still tailored to Canadian players. That is because many offshore casinos will offer a Canadian version with unique bonuses and promotions for players in Canada specifically.

When signing up at an online casino, the most important thing to check is just that the site has a valid license. This does not need to be from any Canadian legislation but from international bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. This will ensure a safe and fair experience. You don’t have to worry about that here at Bonusprince though, as I only recommend alternatives that are totally safe for players. That means that all the casinos listed at the top of this guide are both good and secure options.

Bonuses at the Best Online Casinos in Canada

Most of the online casinos available to players in Canada will offer unique bonuses for their Canadian players. All of the 10 top recommendations listed at the top of this page offer unique Canadian bonuses for you to enjoy:

• Mr Green Canada: Up to $1,200 bonus & 200 free spins
• Dunder Canada: Up to $600 bonus & 200 free spins
• Guts Canada: Up to $200 bonus & 100 free spins
• Casumo Canada: Up to $1,800 bonus & 115 free spins
• Rizk Canada: Up to $500 bonus & 50 free spins
• Videoslot Canada: Up to $200 bonus & 11 free spins
• Unibet Canada: Up to $500 bonus
• LeoVegas Canda: Up to $1,000 bonus & 200 free spins
• Bethard Canada: Up to $200 bonus & 250 free spins
• ComeOn! Canada: Up to $1,500 bonus

Online Sports Betting in Canada

In addition to online casinos allowing for players to play slots and various card and table games online, it is also possible to place bets on sports. This is done from online sportsbooks such as Unibet. Again there are a few Canadian options, but most players prefer sites based offshore.

Many international gambling sites offer both casino games and sports betting from the same platform. This makes it easy to create one account and use this for gambling on casino games and sports alike, as you prefer. That way, you can place bets on national and international ice hockey matches, basketball and football events and much more directly from your computer, phone or tablet.

FAQs

I hope that this guide has given you a clear introduction to the world of online and offline gambling in Canada. To conclude, I would like to answer some quick questions related to the topic. Once you feel ready to get started, don’t forget to check out the best online casinos Canada has to offer at the top of this page!

Is online gambling legal in Canada?

The quick answer is yes, online gambling is legal in Canada. Which sites are offered and regulated locally will depend on the province you are situated in. But no matter where you are based, it is possible to access offshore casino sites that accept Canadian players.

Is it possible to play at online casinos for real money in Canada?

Yes, in Canada it is possible to gamble at both land-based and online casinos. There are some online casinos operated by local gambling bodies, such as playnow.com from British Columbia Lottery Corporation. But, in general, most players gamble at online casinos that are based and licensed offshore in countries such as Malta.

What are some Canadian gambling sites?

Canadian gambling sites include Espacejeux and Mise-o-jeu in Québec, PlayNow in British Columbia and more. Additionally, players can join many gambling sites based in other countries – as long as Canadian players are accepted.