Everything you need to know about online gambling in Canada
Play Canada is your expert guide into the world of top rated, reliable online casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms available in every corner of Canada. At Play Canada, we have rated and reviewed the best and most popular destinations to help you pick the perfect place to play.
Only the best online casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms
Injecting that extra little thrill into daily life, gambling has long been an essential way for many Canadians to let their hair down. With the advent of online gambling two decades ago, people can enjoy that signature excitement whenever, wherever.
We have reviews of the best online gambling sites in Canada, with in-depth descriptions of their offerings. Find out what online casinos have the biggest progressive jackpots, discover betting opportunities on dozens of sports and ensure you get the best poker loyalty schemes.
And of course one of the best things about signing up for a brand new site is the welcome bonuses – read our reviews to make sure you get the most lucrative welcome package that suits your gameplay.
When you’re playing for real money, you want to make sure those Canadian Dollars stretch as far as possible. That’s why we’re dedicated to bringing you the most comprehensive reviews in the industry, with a special focus on sites that ensure fast payouts and super secure transactions.
Canada’s best online gambling sites 2019
Betway
- Founded in 2006
- Betway Casino Welcome Bonus of up to $1,000
- Betway Sports Welcome Bonus of up to $100
- Betway Plus loyalty scheme rewards casino, bingo and sports wagering
- Over 500 casino games
- World Record breaking progressive jackpot win of over $20 million
- Android and iOS mobile compatibility
- Internationally recognized transaction methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and Citadel Direct
bet365
- Founded in 2000
- bet365 Casino
- bet365 Poker
- Unique promotions and offers at bet365 Sport
- Key member of PlayTech iPoker network
- One wallet system between all bet365 brands
- Android, Windows and iOS mobile compatibility
- Internationally recognized transaction methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and Instadebit
888
- Founded in 1997
- 888casino no deposit welcome offer of up to $888, plus first deposit offer of up to $1,500
- 888poker no deposit welcome offer of up to $88, plus first deposit offer of up to $400 and 10 freeroll tickets
- 888sports welcome offer of up to $30 in free bets, plus $10 casino bonus
- 25 million registered users
- Over 100 exclusive games
- Android and iOS mobile compatibility
- Internationally recognized transaction methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and Skrill
Spin Palace
- Founded in 2001
- New player Spin Palace Casino bonus of up to $1,000, plus 500 Club Points
- Over 600 games
- Focus on progressive jackpot slots with frequent six- and seven-figure winners
- Payout ratio of over 97%
- Spin Palace Casino Loyalty Club awards monthly cash bonuses and free casino credits
- Windows, Blackberry, Android and iOS mobile compatibility
- Internationally recognized transaction methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and Neteller
Jackpot City
- Founded in 1998
- New player Jackpot City Casino bonus of up to $1,600
- Over 300 slots games
- Comprehensive selection of free play games
- Numerous regular and limited edition promotions to suit all players
- JackpotCity Casino Loyalty Program awards free casino credits
- Blackberry, Nokia, Samsung, Android and iOS mobile compatibility
- Internationally recognized transaction methods, including Visa, Mastercard and PaySafeCard
Choosing the right online gambling site
Anyone who wants to wager online needs to make sure they’re picking an established site that’s reliable, safe and secure. At Play Canada, we make sure all of the sites we review and recommend uphold the highest standards of safety and security. We ensure these sites deliver on their promises, are totally transparent in their terms and conditions and support transaction methods popular throughout Canada.
Once those boxes are ticked, you need to find an online gambling site that has a certain je ne sais quoi. It’s got to get your pulse racing. It’s got to have all the variety you want. It’s got to focus on the key areas that you love most.
Whether you’re a diehard sports fanatic, a lifelong card shark or a casino game buff, you can find the right site for you at Play Canada. Read our reviews first and don’t waste your hard earned dollars on a site that doesn’t quite suit your tastes.
And if you haven’t quite made up your mind yet, that’s okay too. Plenty of the sites we review offer variety across a range of online gambling opportunities, so Canadians of any experience level can discover their new favorite games.
Is online gambling legal in Canada?
Thanks to our more relaxed laws, online gambling is 100% legal in Canada.
Of course, to make sure you’re gambling on the right side of the law, you need to make sure your site of choice is fully legal in Canada. That’s why we only review sites that are completely legal for any Canadian player to partake.
In fact, lots of professional American poker players have moved north of the border to avail of our gambling friendly laws and the wealth of online poker sites available here. And for those interested in online sports betting and online casinos, there are tons of exciting options for you to discover too.
Types of online gambling in Canada
Online casino
Whether you dive into the immersive world of slots, go head-to-head with a blackjack dealer or spin the roulette wheel, there are online casinos in Canada that perfect for you. Discover incredible Live Casino games powered by state-of-the-art streaming technology and progressive jackpots so big they’ll make your head spin.
Online sports betting
Adding a few extra goosebumps to every big game, sports betting is one of the oldest forms of gambling on the planet. We all have our favorites, whether you’re an ice hockey nut or a football fanatic. Thanks to the amazing range of online sportsbooks catering to Canadians, you can find the site that offers the best odds for your wager.
Online poker
Poker is one of the world’s most intriguing games. Hollywood blockbusters frequently feature glamorous high stakes poker games, but real-life fans know the best stories play out online. It doesn’t if matter you stick to the classic games or want to try something new, there’s an online poker room waiting to deal you the cards.
Our reviews answer your questions
It’s tough to choose a new online gambling site. There are so many different things to factor in, from game variety to welcome bonuses to promotions to security. That’s why our comprehensive reviews answer all the questions that might have.
- Sign Up Offers – Get the lowdown on all of the no deposit and first deposit deals new Canadian players can look forward to, plus any playthrough rates
- Loyalty Schemes – Find out what online casino offers the best rewards to suit your style of play
- Promotions – Take a look at a snapshot of the on-going and limited edition promotions at each site
- Variety – From sites that focus on a few core games to those that offer dozens of types of games, find the one that gets your pulse racing
- Mobile and Tablet – If you play on the go, this is essential to know before you sign up
- Banking – The cornerstone of every good online casino is a good variety of withdrawal and deposit methods compatible with Canadian financial institutions, including credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers
- Account Security – Find out how each online casino encrypts and stores your personal data
Frequently asked questions about online gambling in Canada
Do many gambling sites use Canadian dollars?
Almost all of the top online gambling sites available in Canada cater to Canucks by giving you the chance to deposit, withdraw and/or play in Canadian Dollars. This makes it much easier to keep track of the value of your betting activity and it also means that you don’t have to worry about currency exchange fees.
Do I have to download online gambling software?
With most game types, there’s absolutely no need to download online gambling software. Many sites offer user-friendly browser options, whether you use Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or Safari. However, for certain game types, often including online poker, downloading the free software is preferable because it can mean you get easy access to more features and you can enjoy faster loading times.
Are my winnings taxed?
Unless you’re a professional poker player or a high-level sports competitor, Canadians don’t have to pay any taxes on online casino winnings.
What online gambling opportunities are there in Canada?
There are countless different things you can wager on and games you can play online in Canada. The most popular options – casino, sports and poker – are well represented in the most reliable online sites available in Canada and throughout the world.
Responsible online gambling
Online gambling is designed to be a bit of fun – it should never be a source of worry or stress. If you – or someone you know – is at risk of developing a gambling problem, here are a few of the places you can get more information and find help:
- PlaySmart – Start gambling as you mean to go on and manage your limits and exposure to danger as soon as you start wagering online
- Gaming Commission – Find the full list of Canada’s Kahnawake Gambling Commission licensed operators and all the associated regulatory information
- Problem Gambling – Find out danger signs to watch out for and contact trained staff members on the helpline
- Canadian Problem Gambling Certification Board – Get tips on how to avoid the triggers associated with problem gambling