Best legal online casinos in Canada 2024

History of casino gambling in Canada

For thousands of years, games of chance have been present in the history of gambling in Canada, an example being the indigenous game of Slahal. In 1330, a ban on dice games was introduced, implying the controversial nature of the game. By 1947, John Cabot discovered that native tribes played cards.

Now the first official game was a horse race in Quebec in 1767, a milestone for gambling in Canada. Legal recognition of parimutuel betting came in 1910 along with occasional games for charitable causes. In the following decades, small legal adjustments were made until the renovating amendments of 1970 that provided autonomy to the provinces regarding gaming laws.

Sports betting was legalized in 1985, and four years later the country's first commercial casino opened in Winnipeg. So did Montreal in 1993, leading to a casino boom in the provinces. By 2021, Canada legalized single-sector sports betting, giving the industry multi-billion dollar status.

The 2020 statistics reflected the amount of $2.66 billion in revenues, with a player mass of 19.3 million Canadians. Today, Canada's land-based and online gaming industry provides great gaming experiences that reflect the country's dynamic change in the gaming sector.

How are online casinos regulated in Canada?

As a federal state, Canada allows each province to apply its own laws and regulations. Although different, the regulations as a whole maintain a homogeneity.

Top 5 best online casino sites in Canada

Canada's online gambling scene has flourished, unveiling various casinos that cater to various gaming tastes. These top-rated casinos are known for their exceptional game variety, outstanding user experience, and exemplary customer service. Let's review 5 of them.

#1 Starda

In the Canadian online casino industry, Starda Casino stands out for its extensive range of slot games and user-friendly interface.

#2 Rabona

Rabona Casino is renowned in Canada for its live dealer options, offering a unique blend of casino gaming for Canadian players who appreciate versatility.

#3 1xBet

1xBet Casino is distinguished in the Canadian market for its vast selection of casino games, catering to casino enthusiasts in Canada with its comprehensive platform.

#4 22Bet

22Bet is known in Canada for its easy-to-navigate platform and a wide array of gambling options, including live casino games appealing to Canadian users.

#5 20Bet

20Bet Casino has made a mark in the Canadian online gambling scene with its strong focus on slots. It is complemented by a solid selection of casino games, attracting Canadian players.

The best casinos in Canada: Comparison

In this comparison, we highlight the standout features of Canada's best online casinos, guiding players to make informed choices.

Main provisions of gaming regulation in Canada

The gaming industry in Canada varies according to the province where the operators and casinos are based. Each of the provinces has its own Gaming Laws and Regulations in Canada.

Gambling regulations in British Columbia

The minimum legal age is 19 years old. In the province of British Columbia, it is legal to operate online casinos, land-based casinos, and lottery tickets, among other activities.

Gambling regulations in Quebec

In this province, online gambling is legal, and users must be 18 years old to play legally. It also has 4 land-based casinos.

Gambling regulations in Ontario

In Ontario, online gambling is legal, and it is the only province that grants licenses to private operators. The agency in charge of regulating gambling is the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

Gambling regulations in Alberta

Most of the online casinos in this province are managed by foreign operators licensed by international organizations, and the legal age to play is 18 years old.  The province has numerous casinos, 20 of which 5 belong to First Nation.

Gambling regulations in Nova Scotia

Online gambling, as well as land-based casinos, are legal in the province, and users must be at least 19 years old to play. Residents can only access sites permitted by the ALC.ca.

Gambling regulations in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has 9 land-based casinos and the minimum age is 19 years old. The only form of legal gambling is the provincial lottery, but there is no law prohibiting foreign online operators from operating in the province. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) regulates games in Saskatchewan.

Gambling regulations in Manitoba

Lotteries, bingo, and physical casinos are legal, and the legal age is 18 years old. Despite being legal, gambling laws are not very clear in the province.

Gambling regulations in New Brunswick

Online gambling and land-based casinos are legal in the province. The regulatory agency is the Gambling regulations in New Brunswick, and the minimum legal age to gamble is 19 years old.

Gambling regulations in Prince Edward Island

Land-based casinos, sports betting, and online operators are legal in Prince Edward Island. The minimum legal age to enjoy gambling is 19 years old.

Gambling regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador

The game does not have many fans in this province. It has only one based-land casino and online gambling is legal. The minimum age to play is 19 years old.

Gambling taxes in Canada

Integrity and prevention of illicit activities in gambling comes from financial transparency. In this way, both players and regulators can have confidence in the security of the sector. According to the Kahnawake Gaming Authority, financial transparency fosters a safe and fair environment.

In Canada, taxes are only imposed on professional players, and like regulations, taxes change according to the province.

The province with the highest tax rate is Quebec. For the first CAD 43,790, a 15% tax is applied. The next CAD 43 785 is taxed at an additional 20%, and upon earning CAD 19 980 plus a tax of 24%. All incomes from CAD 106 555 and above are taxed at 25.75%.

The most popular casino games in Canada

Online video poker

New casinos in Canada offer video poker. Most video poker titles are popular and have good quality. These games offer an RTP of over 100%, as well as offers, promotions, and bonuses. Among those played are:

• All Aces Poker
• All American Poker
• Deluxe Poker bonus

Baccarat

A card game of chance that is very easy. It offers a fairly high RTP, around 98%. The combination of good yields and ease makes it one of the favorites of Canadian players.

Slot machines

Canadian players' favorite slot machines for their wide variety of 2D titles, as well as more realistic 3D titles. They offer 98% returns among the most popular titles are:

• Mega Moolah
• Immortal Romance
• Thunderstruck II
• Avalon II
• Starburst
• Break da Bank Again

The most famous casino players in Canada

Top Canadian Player: Guy Laliberté

The Canadian gaming world is robust and encompasses both land-based and online gaming. Guy Laliberté is a reference in the world of poker, as well as Canada's most recognized figure in this game.

Creator of the famous Cirque du Soleil, Laliberté got a late start in poker by winning a $696,220 prize at the Bellagio in Las Vegas in 2007. One of the things that made Laliberté a gambling star is that he donated his winnings to charity.

Since his breakthrough performance in 2007, Laliberté has received offers to play in GSN's High Stakes Poker series and Poker After Dark. Organized the Big One for One Drop event at the 2012 World Series of Poker. In that series, he got the 5th position, besides being the event with the highest entry in history: USD 1,000,000. Guy Laliberté is also known for his big losses in online poker, being known as the biggest loser in history with an amount of USD 31,000,000.

Future of online casinos in Canada

The Canadian gaming sector started to experience growth after the closure of the based-land casinos during the pandemic, and the trend of new players to different online options. The trends in the gaming market led to a change in marketing strategies, emphasizing responsible gaming tools. Also, expect an increase in live dealer titles for a more interactive experience, a growing popularity of crypto casinos offering fast and anonymous transactions, as well as an increase in e-sports betting.