Most Popular Online Casino Games in Canada: Guide 2022

What Are The Most Popular Online Casino Games In Canada?

With the abundance of Canadian casino games available, it can be difficult to decide what to play and where to play it. Online casinos now provide their customers with lots of choices, including online slots, card games, and table games. Many also have fun things like bingo and TV-themed games too. What’s great about using an online gambling platform is that you can play 24/7, whether you’re at home or out with your mobile.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the most popular casino games Canada has to offer. We’ll also tell you about the different experiences you can get at the best casinos and how the different Canadian provinces differ.

Online Casinos in Canada

With the advent of the Internet, it was no surprise that people thought of taking casino games online. Though this has been a gradual process, Canadian online casino games have seen a sharp increase in interest recently, perhaps spurred on by the Covid-19 pandemic when people weren’t able to visit physical casinos. As such, the sector has seen a large influx of investors and talented designers and developers to deliver safe, enjoyable, and rewarding products.

According to Statista, the online gambling market worldwide is growing faster than it ever has done before. In 2021, it reached around $59 billion, and by 2023, it is expected to be worth over $9.2 billion.

In Canada, it is estimated that the current market size of online casinos and sportsbooks is worth around $1.2 billion per year. This is around 50% of the gambling sector’s total revenue. As expected, the land-based sector is decreasing with the increase in the online sector.

More and more online casinos are opening up in Canada. The top choice for gamblers are low deposit casino sites that provide wide range of online games. Canadian gamblers can find 1$ minimum deposit casino Canada sites easily with great bonus offers and online slots collection. To set one up, it’s estimated that you would need between $500,000 and $2 million. A license costs a minimum of $45,000 and could be as much as $250,000. It’s also necessary to pay taxes, fees, and duties, as well as provide financial reports.

The Regulation Point of Reference

In Canada, it is illegal to conduct a gambling business unless it is set up and regulated as per the Canadian Criminal Code. It also needs to be sanctioned by the provincial authorities. The federal government has delegated the responsibilities of legislation to the provinces themselves – as these are the primary stakeholders when it comes to authorizing an online casino or betting site. Local bodies have had full powers since the 1985 amendment of the Criminal Code.

There are two sections of the Criminal Code of Canada that refer to the gambling industry. Despite all provinces being a part of the national lottery program, the regional authorities have the right to prohibit or permit this activity as they see fit. This means, for example, that officials in Alberta could ban this game of chance while those in Ontario do not.

Recently, residents of Ontario have been able to place wagers on single-game sports through around 22 regulated sportsbooks. This is one of the most recent developments in the country with regard to gambling.

Provincial Canadian Online Gambling

One strange this about the gambling regulations in Canada compared to other nations is that the individual provinces are free to make their own rules for their province. This legal autonomy means that the best online casino Canada offers might only be available in one province. It also means that the best online casinos in Canada might be scattered far and wide, with each one having to abide by different rules and regulations.

Let’s take a look at some of the information available for different cities and provinces.

Vancouver

The city of Vancouver in British Columbia is a popular destination for tourists. It attracts a lot of visitors who want to gamble online. In this province, anyone over nineteen years of age can take part in gambling. This includes online casinos based overseas. Though all casinos in this province are registered and legitimate, the same cannot be said for offshore online casinos, so care needs to be taken when visiting these.

Ottawa

Ottawa is in Ontario, and so it has different rules and regulations from British Columbia. For those who love online casinos, Ottawa and Ontario are great locations. Residents can participate in any offshore online casino – provided that they follow the Criminal Code.

Ontario

As mentioned, when discussing Ottawa, Ontario, is a great place for people who love to use gambling platforms.

Since 2022, Ontario has opened up online gambling more and more, and residents are clearly delighted. The local authorities realized that billions of dollars were being spent online by players using offshore casino sites. By legalizing this inside of the province, they have managed to claw back some of this money and lower their budget deficit considerably.

The outlook looked bleak in Ontario’s 2021 budget – the deficit was projected to be $19.6 billion. However, by April 2022, this was much lower at $13.5 billion.

A while back, Paul Godfrey, the former Chair of OLGC (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation), said how making gambling platforms legal would have a great benefit on the province – and he wasn’t wrong.

When the iGaming market was launched in April 2022, it meant more Canadians were spending money in Canada rather than abroad. Gaming operators who want to be legal in the province must first register with AGCO. They also need to sign agreements with iGaming Ontario, which is an AGCO subsidiary. Just a few months after being launched, there had been over 30 online casinos approved and more than 20 sports betting sites. This sector is expected to grow more and more over the coming years.

Quebec

Quebec’s gambling history is interesting. The province is often considered to be quite liberal when it comes to betting and wagering. This might change soon, though, as the authorities are considering blocking or restricting access to non-provincial sites that haven’t been Loto-Quebec approved. This will clearly hit international sites hard. Residents of Quebec will likely also feel aggrieved if they can no longer access their site of choice. Until any decision is made, however, players are free to use whichever site they choose.

Nova Scotia

Despite being one of the smallest provinces in Canada, Nova Scotia has lots of casual use of online betting platforms. This might be down to the province’s liberal stance on online casino use. The authorities here allow residents to use any site this wish. Though there are no local sites like in Ontario, residents can access offshore platforms freely.

How to Choose the Best Canadian Online Casinos in 2022?

Most casino users don’t just want a great online casino offering brilliant games. They want to know if the site is secure too. As gambling online is a big business, it pays online casino owners to ensure they have competitive platforms.

So, what should you look out for when choosing which online casino to use? Let’s look at some of the main considerations:

Game choice. If an online casino doesn’t offer a lot of games or it doesn’t offer the games you like to play, then you’re not going to register, even if the welcome package is great. If you already know what games you like, it’s easier to choose. If there’s a specific type of roulette you love to play, you can narrow it down quite easily. For those who are new to online casinos, finding one that suits you can be a challenge. In this case, it’s best to opt for one that offers the widest choice of games. Here are some online casinos with how many games they offer:

PlayAmo – 10,000 games
TonyBet – 3,500 games
888 – 2,400 games
JackpotCity – 500 games
Spin casino – 500 games.

Bonuses and promotions. Another consideration when looking for an online casino is the offers they have. Most online betting platforms have some sort of welcome bonus or package, and while it’s good to see what’s out there, you do need to be mindful of a few things. Firstly, a bonus might seem amazing at first glance, but until you’ve read the terms and conditions associated with it, it might not be all that great. If it has a wagering requirement of 45x and you have to meet this in a strict time frame to take out your winnings, then you need to question if you can do that and if it’s worth it. Secondly, it’s not just the welcome package you need to look at. Sure, casinos want to draw you in with a great opening offer, but if they’re giving you nothing once this is done, then it’s important to question whether or not they’re a good casino.
Security. You need to consider how secure the website is both in terms of protecting your data but also in terms of protecting your cash. This is why you need to stick to regulated and licensed casinos that you know are legit.
Customer support. The best online casinos will have support available around the clock. Look for sites that offer 24/7 support, whether it’s via telephone, email, social media, or live chat.

Here are some of the best sites for Canadians:

TonyBet Casino (License, Games, Reviews, etc.)

TonyBet was established as an online gambling platform around 20 years ago. It is an operator that is both regulated by the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) and eCOGRA. This site also partners with the best software providers out there, including NetEnt, iSoftBet, Play’N Go, Playson, Yggdrasil, Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, Amatic, and many more. So, if you want access to the best casino games online Canada has to offer, TonyBet is great.

Games on offer

This site has numerous games from all of the best providers. There are more than 3,000 to choose from. There are various categories, including slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and live dealer games too.

This site also offers the most popular global progressive jackpots like Mega Moolah.

Promotions and bonuses

There are some great bonuses at TonyBet. The welcome offer includes a 100% match bonus (up to $1k) plus 170 free spins. Besides the welcome bonus, you can access a 50% reload bonus on Fridays (up to $150, minimum $30 deposit). Loyal customers can also earn and accumulate points that can be exchanged for other bonuses and cash.

Payment methods

TonyBet has many options. These include Mastercard, Visa, Interac, e-transfer, Bitcoin, and Astropay. All transactions are encrypted too. Deposits are instant, while withdrawals will take from 1 to 5 business days, depending on the method used. Cryptocurrencies are the quickest to withdraw, and they’re also the best in terms of security.

Mobile gaming

Thanks to its mobile-optimized website, TonyBet is available on all smartphones and tablets. There is also a downloadable app for Android and iOS devices.

Pros

Wide selection of casino games and slots
Good VIP program
Fast withdrawals

Cons

No telephone customer service
The lobby doesn’t show table games

Party Casino (License, Games, Reviews, etc.)

This casino is regulated and licensed by the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) as well as the UKGC. They also hold other renowned certifications, which proves how reliable this site is.

Games on offer

The games on this site are well divided according to their type, which means it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. They have a great offering, including lots of table games and slots. Their live dealer games are great and include live roulette and live blackjack. There are also jackpot slots out there.

Promotions and bonuses

Party Casino offers its newcomers a 100% bonus up to $500 that is spread over the first three deposits. At sign-up, you also get 20 free spins on a popular jackpot slot called Melon Madness Deluxe. There are also numerous other promotions too!

Payment methods

There are lots of different options here, including Visa, Skrill, PayPal, bank wire transfer, InstaDebit, and Google Pay. The security is exceptional too. Deposits are instantaneous, while withdrawals are as prompt as possible.

Mobile gaming

Party Casino has its very own app that can be downloaded from the App Store, Play Store, or directly from the Party Casino website.

Pros

A great game selection from top software developers.
Lots of payment methods, including ones that other sites don’t use.
Latest encryption security.

Cons

No telephone support.

Betway Casino (License, Games, Reviews, etc.)

Betway is regulated and licensed by MGA and has certifications by eCOGRA. It is a renowned casino that has been established since 2008. There is a huge gaming catalog from the best software developers.

Games on offer

With software providers like NetEnt and Microgaming supplying their games, you know that this site is going to have plenty of choices. There are lots of table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as plenty of slots. What’s more, you can take part in more than 25 different live dealer games. There are games like casino Hold’em, Mega Ball, and Three Card Poker, as well as progressive jackpots to entice you.

Promotions and bonuses

Betway has a great bonus for sign-up – a 100% match for the first four deposits up to a maximum of $1500. These do come with a hefty 50x wagering requirement, though, and this can only be fulfilled with slot games. Besides the welcome bonus, there is a loyalty program, too, and players can access cash prizes.

Payment methods

There is a range of different methods of payment available, and these include Skrill, Neteller, Mastercard, Visa, and wire transfers. Deposits are usually instant, but withdrawal processing times vary. E-wallets are the quickest to cashout, and these usually take less than 24 hours. Other methods can take up to three business days.

Mobile gaming

With Betway, you can access the best casino games on their mobile-optimized website. The site is accessible via any mobile device on iOS, Android, or Windows. There is also an app for Android and iOS devices too.

Pros

Excellent games and lots of choices
Top-range security
User-friendly

Cons

The welcome bonus is best for people who play slots
You can’t play just for fun. If you want free online casino games Canada, this isn’t the site to use.

Casumo Casino (License, Games, Reviews, etc.)

Casumo is a sportsbook with the best odds around as well as an online casino. It has a good reputation in Canada and around the world. It has a license with the UK Gambling Commission as well as the Malta Gaming Authority.

Games on offer

There are more than 1,500 different games at Casumo, and these are provided by over 20 affiliated software developers. The site has lots of slots and progressive jackpots, as well as card games like poker and blackjack. You can play real money live dealer games too.

Players who also want to try betting on sports can do so, thanks to the linked sportsbook. This means there is so much on offer, and players will never run out of options!

Promotions and bonuses

Casumo’s promotions and bonuses are a little limited compared to other sites. Though there aren’t many of them, the ones they do offer are of high quality. All new members receive a 100% bonus up to $500 as well as 115 free spins to be used on specific games.

There is also a VIP program, and players can access this by earning reward points that can be redeemed for cash.

Payment methods

Payment methods at Casumo include Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, and bank transfers. The time taken to deposit and withdraw will vary according to the method chosen. Deposits are instant unless they’re done by bank transfer, which takes a bit longer. For withdrawals, you can expect to wait for 1 to 5 working days.

Mobile gaming

This website is easy to get around on a mobile device as it is fully optimized with HTML 5 technology. Players can access the site from all devices, and there is also a Casumo mobile app for those who prefer this. It is available for Android and iOS on the phone’s app store.

Pros

Good welcome bonus
Lots of different games
Free demos available
The website is easy to use
There are lots of progressive jackpots

Cons

Promotional offers aren’t as plentiful as on other sites
No telephone support

Ricky Casino (License, Games, Reviews, etc.)

Ricky Casino is a trusted and safe casino that is operated by the expert Dama N.V. Ricky has its license with Curaçao, and it offers great bonuses, a good range of games, and more.

Games on offer

Ricky has great games on offer, including slots, video poker, bingo, craps, and blackjack. No matter what games you like playing, you’ll find them at Ricky Casino. This site has linked up with big names like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Play’n Go, among others, which means that players can trust the fairness of the games.

The site also has live games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette. There’s a range of times these go live as well, so there’s always something to play.

Promotions and bonuses

Ricky Casino has lots of promotions and bonuses. These include a welcome bonus and a weekly bonus. The welcome package in its entirety offers a staggering $1200 from your first six deposits as well as 1200 free spins that can be used on the game All Lucky Clovers 5.

Every Tuesday, there is a 100% match deposit up to $100, and every Wednesday you can get 200 free spins just by depositing $20 to your account. There are other promotions, too, so it’s really a site worth checking out.

Payment methods

When it comes to paying money in and taking it out, Ricky Casino has lots of options. These include Mastercard, Visa, bank transfer, ecoPayz, Neteller, Skrill, and Bitcoin. All of these methods have no attached fees and offer instant deposits as well as prompt withdrawals. There are deposit and withdrawal maximum and minimum limits ranging from $20 minimum to $4,000 maximum, but it depends on which method you choose.

Mobile gaming

At Ricky Casino, the website is fully mobile-optimized. For those who enjoy playing on an app, there is a dedicated one that players can access, no matter their device. It can be downloaded via the App store for iOS or the Play Store for Android users.

Pros

A good range of casino games and slots to play
Great welcome bonus
Fantastic customer service
Great opportunities for winning big jackpots

Cons

The bonus validity time is short
There are lots of restricted countries

Popular Canadian Casino Games Online

When it comes to what makes a casino game popular, there are certain rules software developers follow. Trends and fashions don’t really have a place here. Things that are too gimmicky tend not to stick around for too long. When it comes to casino games, most people love the classics.

There are so many different games, particularly when it comes to slots, and some are more popular than others. Back in the pre-internet days, when brick-and-mortar casinos were all you had, most people eschewed slots for the table and card games like baccarat, poker, blackjack, and roulette. Slots were almost an afterthought and a time filler. In the present day, the tables have turned. While table games and card games still remain the most popular reason for players to visit a physical casino, when it comes to online gameplay, it is slots that are the most popular by a long way.

Let’s take a look at the different types of games available at online casinos in Canada.

Online Slots

There’s just something about that spin that is so exciting! All casino software developers know how to create this feeling of anticipation. Online casinos offer the most eye-catching games with great sound effects to please the players.

Slots often offer the best prizes too, and have the best promotions. There’s usually something for everyone. Themes vary from pirates, stars, candy, Ancient Egypt, TV show themes, Irish themes, and more besides. There are literally thousands of titles to choose from, and you can never get bored.

Now that technology has advanced so much, people can access these games anywhere and everywhere, provided there is an internet connection, of course. Most online casinos use HTML5 technology to create mobile-optimized websites, and software developers create their games with this in mind so they can be played from any device, regardless of brand. Often, casinos create their own downloadable apps for ease and convenience, but this isn’t a requirement for most people, given how great mobile websites are now.

Here are the different types of slots you might find:

Three Reel Classics. These are like old-school machines you’d find in a real casino. They usually feature an assortment of symbols like lucky horseshoes, aces, and wild symbols. In these slots, you need to match three symbols in a line to win.
Multi-payline and multi-reel slots. These slots give you lots of different paylines with multiple reels. There are slots that have up to 50 paylines!
Video slots. These are computerized versions of classic slots, and they usually incorporate some sort of theme. The theme of the slot will usually indicate what the symbols will be, but there’ll usually be classic symbols like J, Q, K, 10, etc. too. Video slots often have bonus games that reveal things like free spins and multipliers too.
Progressive Slots. These are slots that are available on many different sites, and the prize money is fed by players from all over the world. Anyone can win, and the prize fund is often well into the millions.

Some of the best payout slots in Canada include:

Avalon II – RTP 97% (Microgaming)
Guns N’ Roses – RTP 96.98% (NetEnt)
Thunderstruck II – RTP 96.65% (Microgaming)
Wheel of Fortune – RTP 96.6% (IGT)
Mega Fortune – RTP 96.4% (NetEnt)
Starburst – RTP 96.1% (NetEnt)
Wizard of Oz – RTP 95.99% (Zynga)
Flaming Hot – RTP 95.53% (EGT)
Book of Ra Deluxe – RTP 95.5% (Novomatic)

Triple Diamond – RTP 95.06% (IGT)

Online Roulette

Online roulette is another spinning game that’s hit the online casino straight from the brick-and-mortar ones. All of the best online casinos will have at least one online roulette game, but most have many more. Lots of people have tried to beat this game, and some are quite successful. There are also sorts of roulette strategies out there that people try out. Others just play at random and for fun. There’s always a house edge, though, so the ultimate winner will be the casino in the end!

As for different versions, you’ve got many available to you. The main versions available are French roulette, European roulette, and American roulette. French roulette has the lowest house edge, and you’re more likely to win with this version. This is because it has special rules for even number bets when the ball lands on zero, which means that you often get some of your money back or you get to bet again. European roulette is the standard version that most people are familiar with. It has numbers 1- 36 marked either red or black and then 0 marked green. American roulette is similar, but it also has 00, which is also green. Because you have more pockets for the ball to land in, American roulette odds aren’t as good.

With online roulette, the outcome (where the ball lands) is decided by a random number generator (RNG). If the game is made by a reputable software developer, it will be guaranteed and will have passed third-party testing of its randomness.

As well as games you can play wherever and whenever, there are also live dealer roulette games on many online casinos. Evolution Gaming has some of the best versions around. The dealer will be in a real casino or a studio and will live stream the roulette wheel to people at home. There is a social element, too, as people can chat with the dealer and the other players. Live dealer roulette is a convenient and fun way to play. It feels much more authentic, but you’re still in the comfort of your own home.

Online Blackjack

Online blackjack is another firm favorite when it comes to casino games online. It is also called twenty-one or vingt-et-un, which means 21 in French.

There are different versions of blackjack in online casinos: live blackjack and video blackjack. The difference is that video blackjack uses cards that have been generated at random, while a live blackjack game will use a real dealer and real cards that are shuffled manually.

There are also two distinct styles of the game – American blackjack and European blackjack. In the American style, the dealer will draw two cards, and one will be placed up while the other is placed face down. If the visible card is an ace, the 2nd card will be checked by the dealer and revealed if it is a ten – thus completing a blackjack. If it isn’t a ten, the game will continue as normal. In the European style of the game, the dealer will get one card up and will only draw when the player has finished his hand.

There are other types of blackjack, including blackjack switch, Vegas strip, perfect pairs, and double exposure blackjack.

Online Baccarat

A favorite of James Bond, baccarat is another popular casino game where you bet on who will win: either the banker, the player, or a tie. Online casinos in Canada offer a huge range of baccarat variants. These include:

Baccarat Chemin de Fer – this is the original version, but it’s quite rare to find casinos that offer it. This is the type of baccarat played in France, where the game originates. Chemin de Fer means railway. In this version, players are more active and will take turns drawing cards and shuffling decks.
Baccarat Banque – This is similar to Chemin de Fer, but this time the banker usually has the most money. It is often played in European casinos but isn’t as popular as Punto Banco.
Punto Banco – this is a version that’s also called American Baccarat or Nevada Baccarat. This is a simple game of chance. There is no strategy or skill involved. The game’s path is determined by specific rules. You can play this game in most online casinos.

Online Sic Bo

This game involves using three dice. It is a bit like Chuck-a-Luck or Craps with a few alterations. It developed from an ancient dice game in China. To play, players wager on one of the best options in the table layout. The three dice will then be placed into a cylinder and shaken. In online casinos, this will be done virtually. When the outcome is revealed, the table will determine what the winners are.

Online Keno

Keno is a game that has its origins in China. It is a lottery-style game of chance like bingo or lotto. You pick numbers and hope the outcome matches. There are 80 numbers involved in a game of keno. The machine, the hopper, will draw out 20 numbers randomly. In a physical casino, these will be real balls. Online, a random number generator pulls out the balls. Players choose their numbers, it’s usually between one and 15, but this can differ. The player’s winnings are calculated depending on how many numbers match and how many were bet.

Online Poker

This is a traditional card game that’s popular both online and in real casinos. There are lots of variants of the game, too, so you have lots of options when it comes to choosing a game to play in a Canadian online casino. It doesn’t matter whether the game is against other players online, in person, or in a live poker game online – the rules are the same.

Online poker is usually much faster-paced and involves less risk because you’re able to play with small amounts. It’s also more accessible because you can play at any time or any place.

The downside of online poker is that you’re playing with strangers and won’t know how to read their reactions as much – it’s harder to work out if someone’s bluffing.

Video Poker

Anyone who’s ever visited a brick-and-mortar casino will have come across video poker machines. These are placed freely and usually right at the bar. Sometimes, casinos will offer you a free drink when you play too. These are popular machines because they’re touchscreen and simple. Poker is also a game of skill rather than just a game of chance, so people enjoy trying out strategies and practicing their skills. Video poker can be learned easily, and there are lots of websites out there that will help you with your video poker strategies.

Online Casino Games Types

If we look at the popularity of casino games, roulette and blackjack are the most popular. Because of this, you’ll find many different variants of the two, including live dealer versions. There are often options like big-money side bets.

You will often find card games like baccarat in high-limit rooms too. This is because the lower house edge attracts casino whales and high rollers (people who spend a lot of money in casinos). Lots of other games use poker elements to determine their winning hands. This includes Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Let it Ride, and Three Card Poker. You can win a lot of money in these games.

Craps also features heavily in lots of Canadian online casinos, as do slots, bingo games, and video poker.

Free

Many online casino sites allow players to try out their games for free in demo mode. Sometimes you can do this while logged into your account, but with other casinos, you’ll have to be logged out. Playing for free is a good way of practicing the game so that you can develop your skills or work out all of the elements and features. It’s also fun to play this way when you’re short on cash but still want to have fun. Some sites don’t allow free play, which is a shame. You can never play a live game free, either, as this is always only available to real money players.

Real Money

Most people use online casinos for real money betting. The great thing about these sites is that they cater to all types of players. There are games that are more suited to high rollers and those that people can enjoy for a few cents a go. Of course, the more you play with it, the more you can win (or lose!). You should never play with money you can’t afford to lose.

Online casino payment methods in Canada

There are a variety of different payment methods open to Canadian players. This includes:

eCheck – a digital version of a traditional check.
Prepaid cards – these are great for people that want to protect their bank details as you won’t need to enter any or share them with the casino.
ecoPayz – this was one of the first online payment services to launch an app. It is now one of the most well-known e-wallets.
Paysafecard – this is a prepaid online payment method that is one of the most widely used among bettors. It allows anonymous payments, which means you don’t have to share your bank details with a casino. What’s more, by using a prepaid method of topping up your account, you can limit your spending much more easily.
Credit/Debit Cards – these are convenient, and most people are comfortable using these on legitimate casino websites.
Cryptocurrency – crypto casinos are becoming more and more popular. It is another way of anonymous betting, and it’s very secure.

Canadian online casino FAQ

Is online casino gambling popular in Canada?

Yes – and it is becoming more and more popular as certain provinces have started allowing more gambling to take place.

What is the best Canadian online casino?

There is no one best one but many people like TonyBet.

Do I have to play for real money at a casino?

No. There are many online casinos that let you try out the games for free in demo mode, and you can play as much as you want.

Is playing online casinos legal in Canada?

This depends on the province, and you need to check the individual rules of each territory and province before you use an online casino.