Are you completely new to online gambling and looking for a step-by-step on how to gamble? Or are you more interested in our review criteria, to understand how we select the best gambling sites in Canada from the many around?
No matter what you’re searching for, this guide covers the basics to help you get started and beyond. And most importantly, our gambling experts only share trusted sites so you can play with confidence and peace of mind.
How We Rate
At VegasSlotsOnline, we don’t just rate casinos—we give you confidence to play. We’ve applied our robust 23-step review process to 2000+ casino reviews and 5000+ bonus offers, ensuring we identify the safest, most secure platforms with real bonus value.
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All the opinions shared are our own, each based on our genuine and unbiased evaluations of the casinos we review.
With thousands of online gambling websites to choose from, you’ll need to learn what makes a good site and how to avoid untrustworthy ones. In our gambling guide, you’ll find out about what the best Canadian sites have in common and how we rate them, and a few things you should look out for to stay safe.
Here’s a checklist of the main things you should ask before joining an online casino. You can also check out our in-depth review process, which includes 23 testing steps.
You should only join the most trusted online gambling sites which go the extra mile to protect your information and money. We look into the casino’s reputation and what security measures it uses. A good starting point is to check for a licence by trusted commissions such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). You should also look for reliable payment methods which keep your details private from the casino.
One advantage of internet gambling is that game libraries are huge, since space isn’t an issue. Look for a variety of slot machines including progressive jackpot slots, table games, live casino, video poker games, as well as sports betting. You’ll also find games from many software providers, such as NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech.
This is the biggest worry beginners have about playing online. If you gamble at trustworthy sites, the games are fair. Regulatory bodies and independent testing companies like eCOGRA conduct regular tests to ensure the games are 100% fair and provide random results. If something is wrong, an investigation is launched, and the software providers can lose their licenses.
When you sign up to the best gambling sites, you’ll get a great casino welcome bonus to get you started. If you continue playing, you’ll also benefit from offers for returning users. Remember to read the bonus terms and make sure they’re fair. If there are a lot of restrictions on the games you can play or the timeline in which to use the bonus, it’s a red flag.
Top gambling websites offer different methods of how to get in touch with their support team. These include live chat, e-mail, and a phone number, which are usually available 24/7. For smaller queries, you can also have a look at the site’s FAQ section.
If you’re going to spend time and money gambling online, then you should be able to play on all devices including mobile. You should get smooth and clear gameplay on your phone, regardless of the screen size. Besides playing in browser, you can also visit the App Store or Google Play and install your favourite Canadian download casino on your phone.
When playing online, you’ll come across different types of gambling to suit a variety of player needs and preferences. Whether you’re into online slots for real money, crypto gambling, or are simply looking for the best casino overall, you’re bound to find a site that caters to your likes.
To filter the best Canadian gambling sites by type, discover our full guides below.
Be in the chance to win real cash when playing slots and other online casino games. Choose a casino from our list to get your winnings fast.
Casino, live casino, or sports betting? If you simply can’t choose, check for a best online gambling site with an overall top experience.
Looking for a dedicated online gambling app? Download one of our recommended casino apps for seamless play and an even faster mobile experience.
Still starting out? Play free online gambling games for fun to discover what you enjoy, at no risk. Only then should you try cash games.
Our all-time top Canadian gambling sites excel in many areas, but they’re specifically known for one major reason. We give you a quick snapshot of our top 5 below so you can easily compare their strengths, as well as the games on offer.
| Gambling Site | Gambling Games | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| 20Bet | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, sports betting, live betting | 👌 Best site overall for casino & sports |
| Spin Palace | Slots, video poker, table games, keno | 📱 Best for online gambling app |
| Dream Vegas | Slots, jackpots, table games, live dealer, poker | 🏆 Best for live casino gambling |
| mr.play | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, sports betting, virtual sports | 🎰 Best for online gambling slots |
| ComeOn! | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, sports betting, live betting, virtual sports | ⚽ Best for virtual sports |
Playing online gives you a chance to bet on a range of games that you probably wouldn’t have access to otherwise. After all, there is only so much space available at land based casinos.
Here’s a quick overview of our top 5 casino games you can try online in Canada.
Try classic, 3D, video, and jackpot slots to discover your favourite. Look for different features such as bonus rounds, wild and scatter symbols, and multipliers to improve your chances of winning real money online.
You can play all your favourite table games online, as well as a few variants which you won't find at land casinos. Popular table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and sic bo.
Do you prefer a more interactive experience? Then take a seat at a top live dealer table where everything – including the croupier, the cards, the wheels, the dice – is authentic.
Video poker is more of a cross between a slot machine and poker than an actual poker game. Popular titles include Jacks or Better, Double Double, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.
If you know enough bingo lingo, then why not purchase your cards online and play against other players? From 30-Ball to 90-Ball to Spin Bingo, the choice is yours.
Online sports betting is gaining popularity in Canada and also worldwide. If online betting on sporting events is something that interests you, you can either head over to a dedicated sportsbook site or an operator which provides casino, live casino, and sports betting options on the same website.
We cover the most common queries related to online sports gambling in our guide below.
Which Sports Can I Bet On?
You can bet online on hundreds of top sports gambling sites in Canada. You'll find sports such as hockey, horse racing, football, and basketball. You can also try your hand at live betting, where you wager on events in real time.
What Are Favourites and Underdogs?
In sports betting, the favourite is the team which is most likely to win the match, whereas the underdog is the team that has the highest chance of losing the match. When looking at a betting line for any match at a sportsbook, you’ll notice who is a favourite to win based on the odds.
How To Read a Betting Line
The most common ways of how US sportsbooks display odds are as numbers (moneyline odds). The British use fractions (fractional odds), whereas decimals (decimal odds) feature in European sportsbooks. In Canada, you’ll find different options depending on the sportsbook. In all cases, the odds show who is most likely to win or lose in a match. Keep in mind that betting on favourites poses less risk, but you’ll get lower profits.
With moneyline odds, you’ll find positive and negative numbers always in relation to the number 100. Favourite teams are marked with negative numbers, and the underdogs with positive numbers. So, if a team has -110 odds, it means that you have to bet $110 to win your original $110 bet back plus a $100 profit. If a team has +120 odds, you bet $100 to make a profit of $120.
In fractional odds, 1/4 odds mean the favourite has four more chances of winning than losing. This means that for every $1 bet, you’ll only make a profit of $0.25. 4/1 odds mean the team is four times more likely to lose than to win, and you’ll get $4 for every $1 wagered, plus your starting $1 bet (i.e. a total payout of $5).
Decimal odds are easier to understand, since the decimal simply represents the amount you can win for every $1 bet. So if a team is set to win by 5.5, it means you’ll get a total payout of $5.50 for a $1 bet. Higher decimals and hence payouts show underdogs since they have fewer chances of winning.
What Different Sports Bets Are There?
Some common options at online betting sites include moneyline wagers, spread betting, and over/under betting.
Moneyline: Simply bet on the outcome of the match, i.e. which team you think will win. You’ll be able to see the bookmarkers’ favourite through the odds, since negative odds show lower risk but smaller profits.
Spread betting: Beyond betting on which team you think will win as in moneyline wagers, you’ll also need to bet on by the amount of points the team will win by. So, in a point spread of +7.0 for the New England Patriots and -7.0 for the Kansas City Chiefs, the sportsbook shows the Chiefs are favourites to win (negative number). If you bet on the Patriots, they’ll have to either win the match outright or lose by less than 7 points for you to win. If betting on the Chiefs, they have to win by 8 points or over for you to win.
Over/under: Also known as a totals wager. The outcome of the game or winning team doesn’t matter here. Rather, you’re betting on the combined total score during a match. Taking soccer as an example, if you bet on a total score of under 2.5 points, you win if the match total doesn’t go over 2.5 (like a 2-0 score).
It’s possible to win money through online gambling. You will have to join a site, make a deposit, and play online casino games for real. It’s important to realize you can’t win real cash by playing on, say free online no download slots.
When playing for real money at a Canadian gambling site, you should also know the risks involved. Whether you win or lose mostly depends on luck, so ensure you’re playing responsibly and for fun. Gambling games are ultimately games of chance.
If you still want to try your luck and are looking into how to make money gambling online, read our top tips to have the best chance.
If you choose to play online slots, for example, check for the RTP (Return to Player) percentage in the game rules or paytable. If a slot has an RTP of 97%, subtract this from 100 to calculate the casino advantage, which in this case is 3%. Gambling on games with a high RTP and low house edge increases your odds of winning.
You can protect your bankroll on games such as free online blackjack or real money roulette if you use a strategy chart or betting system. A blackjack strategy chart shows you possible outcomes for different situations, so you can choose the best moves depending on the cards you get and the dealer’s up card. If you follow roulette betting systems such as the Reverse Martingale or the Paroli you’ll know when it’s best to increase, double, or lower your bet depending on the outcome.
While guessing the outcome of a sporting event is mostly based on luck, if you know a sport well and conduct a lot of research into it, you can increase your odds of winning. There are many bets that you can make, which is why the first step is to learn to make quality bets rather than just focusing on the quantity.
You can win the largest sums of money on progressive jackpots, which often go up to millions. The amount here constantly increases because multiple users can play the same slot from many online gambling sites. Whenever they place a bet on the game, a part of this goes towards the jackpot amount. Keep in mind that the odds of winning a progressive jackpot are very slim.
Before choosing a slot machine, compare paytables and check for a free spins bonus. Some slots such as Avalon by Microgaming give up to 12 extra rounds. To improve your chances further, opt for online slots in which you can re-trigger the free spins bonus. In Avalon, you’ll get further extra rounds if you land additional scatter symbols on the reels.
Our recommended online gambling sites allow you to add money to your account through many Canadian deposit methods. We take a closer look at the most popular ones below, and the reasons why they could be a great fit for your play.
Most gambling sites around the world accept credit and debit cards like VISA and MasterCard. They’re a popular choice among gamblers since transactions are instant, they have low to no added charges, and are extremely secure. In fact, cards such as VISA include a variety of fraud prevention tools which protect your play.
Privacy is one of the biggest advantages of gambling with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. All transactions are anonymous because of blockchain technology. This means that cryptocurrencies aren’t controlled by third parties, such as banks or governments. Discover our crypto gambling guide if you’d like to know more about crypto benefits, which include security, speed, low fees, and global acceptance.
Mobile billing methods are great for Canadian gamblers who value simplicity, speed, and safety. You only need a phone number to use pay by phone providers such as Boku, Payforit, and Zimpler. Since you don’t have to enter any bank details, it’s also a secure payment method. You can choose to use your current phone balance or pay on your next phone bill.
E-wallets are ideal if don’t want to share your bank details with a casino site. By using e-wallets like Skrill and ecoPayz, the operator only sees the email address linked to your digital wallet. Security, privacy, and instant deposits are some of the biggest advantages of using e-wallets to gamble online. An added pro is that some casinos partner with providers such as Skrill to offer exclusive provider bonuses.
Canadian law doesn’t forbid online gambling, but any online casino operating within the country must have a license. Still, the law doesn’t stop players from gambling at licensed offshore sites. It’s also important to note that different provinces might have differing regulations in place, so check the laws of the area where you’re playing from before getting started.
Safe online gambling sites obtain licenses from trusted regulatory bodies like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. If a casino displays the logo of such commissions, your funds and data are 100% safe.
Getting started at an online casino or an online sports betting site is quite simple, especially since the process of creating an account is the same at most operators. Follow 5 easy steps in our gambling guide below and you’ll be ready to play in no time.
Learn how to spot a safe Canadian online casino by following our top tips to the best gambling sites. These are based on over 1,200 sites we’ve reviewed globally. When you’re convinced, launch your favourite in browser or alternatively, you can also download the online gambling app.
Click on the Sign Up button at your chosen site and fill in the registration form. The casino will send a confirmation email to the address provided, to verify your account. Some sites might also ask you to confirm your mobile number as a protective measure.
Note: Trusted casino websites might ask you to upload further documents to confirm your identity, such as a copy of your passport. All this is part of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks which are required by law in many countries.
Depending on the type of welcome offer, you might have to deposit before getting your bonus money. On the other hand, some welcome offers are no deposit bonuses. This means that they’re credited instantly to your account upon signing up, and usually include free spins.
To claim a deposit bonus, check if there’s a bonus code available in the promotions section of the site. You’ll have to enter this code when making a deposit. Some gambling sites also have a dropdown option when you visit the cashier.
Note: Make sure you’re familiar with the bonus terms and conditions before claiming it, to get the most out of your offer.
Once you’ve signed up and verified your identity, you can top up your account with real money. Go to your casino account, click on the deposit option, choose your preferred payment method, and select the amount you’d like to deposit. Enter any bonus codes at this stage. You should be able to access your funds instantly at our top recommended casino websites.
If you’ve claimed a welcome offer, check if there are any terms mentioning which games you can play using the bonus. If not, you can choose from the hundreds of options in the lobby. Whatever game you go for, keep in mind that you can practice for free at most online gambling sites in Canada or here on VegasSlotsOnline before betting with your own money.
Whether you’re new to the online casino scene or a more experienced player, you should learn how to gamble responsibly. This includes being able to spot potential risk and taking steps to minimize it, besides focusing on fun and winnings. Otherwise, it can be a very costly experience.
Have a look at our table below for more responsible gambling tips.
Set session, deposit, and loss limits to control your time and spending
Stick to your decided bankroll
Practice with free games before depositing for real
Request a cashout when you win big, so you don’t lose it all again
Ask for help if you develop a gambling addiction
Check for fair terms and conditions before claiming a bonus
Check the RTP and play games with a low house edge
Don’t join blacklisted casinos with a bad reputation
Don’t gamble with money you can’t afford to lose
Don’t borrow money to gamble
Never mix gambling with alcohol
Don’t pin your hopes on winning a jackpot
Don’t play if you don’t know the game rules
Don't assume that because you’ve had a big win, you’ll keep winning
Note: If your gambling habit is taking over your life, reach out to organizations such RGC and Gambling Therapy which can help you deal with problem gambling.
You now know how to gamble online safely and responsibly, while also enjoying yourself. And to make things easier, we’ve also come up with a top list of Canadian gambling sites for you to pick from. Head over to our best online gambling site today and get started with a generous welcome bonus:
What is online gambling?
Rather than playing slot machines, table games, and other games at land based casinos, gamblers can now access these on the internet at reputable Canadian sites. Note that you should always check the online gambling laws in your area before playing.
How does online gambling work?
Simply pick your favourite online casino, fill in the registration form, and add money to your account. Whether you’re new to gambling or a more experienced player, you’ll find our best tips in this comprehensive guide.
Are online casino sites legal in Canada?
Yes, if they have a licence to offer gambling services from within the country. You can also play at licensed foreign sites without fear of being prosecuted. Keep in mind that you need to be at least 18 years old to gamble online.
What are the best online gambling sites in Canada?
You’ll find the best gambling sites here at VegasSlotsOnline. Our experts choose top Canadian casinos based on a number of criteria including licensing, game selection, bonuses, payment methods, and more.
Can I win real money at gambling sites?
Yes! Simply join one of our recommended Canadian casinos and play on your favourite games for real. When you land a win, click on the withdraw button to bank your winnings.
How do I make money gambling online?
Online gambling games are mostly random, which is why you should play for fun. Still, there are a few things you can do to better your chances of winning. These include checking the game paytable and Return to Player (RTP) before choosing what to play.
Is it safe to gamble online?
It’s completely safe to gamble if you register at reputable websites. The best casinos use encryption to protect your data and have secure payment methods. Although there still are a few rogue casinos you should avoid.
What games can I play online?
You can play slots, table games, video poker, scratch cards, keno, and more. Some sites even offer casino, live casino, and sports betting under the same account.
Do casino sites offer bonuses?
Yes! You’ll get a welcome bonus when you sign up and make your first deposit. Returning Canadian players also benefit from other promotions such as reload bonuses, VIP offers, referral schemes, and more.
Which deposit methods can I use for online gambling in Canada?
You’ll find a variety of options available at top sites, including credit and debit cards, prepaid cards, and e-wallets. Look for trusted payments such as VISA, Bitcoin, and ecoPayz, among others.
Can I play on mobile?
Yes! Some sites have dedicated mobile online gambling apps while others allow you to play your favorite games at a mobile casino, directly in your browser.
Can I gamble for free?
Absolutely! The best online gaming sites provide free versions of their games. And if you’re into free online gambling games, you can also try over 10,000 slots and other casino games right here at VegasSlotsOnline.
How can I stop gambling online?
If you’re not gambling for fun anymore, reach out to organizations like the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) and Gambling Therapy for help. You can also request a time out from the casino for up to 3 months. If you have a gambling problem and need to stay away for longer, you might want to self-exclude for a year or even forever.
