Starting with Ontario, parts of Canada are opening to more regulated online gambling options. In provinces that regulate online casino play, Canadians will be able to play at a number of high-profile legal sites.
This page will not only introduce you to some of these online casinos, but it will also tell you which one might work for you, what sort of new games and promotions to expect, what we’ve looked at when researching these casinos, and more.
Newest online casinos in Canada for March 2023
IN ONTARIO
Baccarat & Blackjack
After a thorough analysis, here are some of the top options in Ontario:
DraftKings Casino — best overall online casino
DraftKings is a household name in North America, and it seems likely to acquire the same status in Canada, as well.
DraftKings Casino offers a solid library of games — mostly video slots, but also table games, live dealer games, video poker, and keno. Among all these are some of DraftKings’ own games, including exclusive slot titles and a variety of sport-themed blackjack games.
Another reason we feel DraftKings might be the best option for new Canadian casino players is the array of promotions. You’ll start off with a hefty signup bonus, after which you can claim many other regular promotions and take part in the loyalty program.
Apart from a clean-looking website, the DraftKings casino app is also a great option where you’ll find the same titles and bonuses.
BetMGM Casino — best new games
BetMGM is another well-known online casino in North America. Its slots library is impressive and continues to grow with new games. What’s more, you’ll find a couple of dozen exclusives, over 30 live dealer games and many jackpot slots.
When it comes to other games, BetMGM Online Casino in Canada offers a standard lineup of table games, video poker, and a live dealer section.
When you join the casino, you’ll get some free credits and can expect a welcome offer once you make the first deposit. There are also plenty of prize pools you can take part in during the year, together with a well-constructed loyalty program.
Caesars Casino — the best choice for high-rollers
Caesars boasts an impressive collection of slots coming from a long list of reputable game studios — around two dozen of those slots feature the popular Megaways mechanic. There’s also a solid selection of blackjack games, video poker, and live dealer titles.
If you consider yourself a big risk taker, you’ll definitely be happy with the casino’s dedicated high-roller section, which includes games where you can bet several thousand dollars per round.
Like many of its competitors, Caesars Casino attracts new players with a welcome promos. Further down the line, you can also check out some other promos and take part in the Caesars Rewards program.
BetRivers Casino — most valuable bonuses and promotions
Players who wish to clear their welcome bonus as soon as possible may want to opt for BetRivers Casino. Unlike online casinos with high and sometimes unreasonable wagering requirements, the bonuses at BetRivers have just a 1x wagering requirement. The casino compensates for these easy-to-meet requirements by issuing lower bonuses, but they can still be valuable.
As far as games go, you’ll find top-tier video slots, a bunch of progressives, table games, video poker, bingo, Slingo, and live dealer games.
Should you choose a brand new online casino?
You may already have a casino of choice and don’t want to change your online gambling hub, which is perfectly understandable. However, up until now, Canada was largely an unregulated market for online gambling, outside of any games that the provincial lotteries provided. With Ontario and potentially more provinces ready to allow legal online casinos, players can experience a legal and safe gambling experience for the first time.
Offshore casinos tend to have licenses in distant countries with loose gambling regulations. This makes it difficult for you to know if you are dealing with a legitimate and trustworthy company. And if it turns out you are not, you have little in the way of legal options to seek satisfaction.
Even if you come across a fair offshore casino, you may have trouble cashing out, as some banks and payment services restrict Canadians from collecting money from such gambling sites.
Meanwhile, licensed and regulated online casinos that have received the OK from provincial authorities must have met requirements for trustworthiness and fair play. They also feature tested games from reputable providers.
All casinos offer new games
Even when a top-tier casino is not new, it often will try to hold its position by introducing new games, themes, and rewards. Here are some types of fresh content you may run into while playing on legal online casinos:
- Slots —Each video slot title comes with its own theme, mechanics, layout, and payout structure. This allows developers to get creative and introduce new ideas, which is why you’ll see an onslaught of new slots. A casino can have dozens of new online slots at any given moment.
- Slot tournaments/races — One way in which casinos encourage players to keep spinning the reels is by offering them prizes for being active. New slot tournaments can come along every week, with prize pools sometimes reaching into the millions.
- Live dealer games — New live dealer games are not as common as new slots, but game studios can also be innovative in this sector. Game shows and augmented reality games like Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt have proven to be a hit, so we can expect to see more of these in the future.
- Promotions — You could see a new deal every week, especially during the holidays. For instance, you might be able to try the casino’s range of Christmas-themed games in December, with special benefits like free spins or cash prizes.
- New game themes — Video slots are full of interesting themes that explore a range of topics — from ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Norse mythology to various sports, music genres, and movies. Almost everything can be a theme, as software developers don’t shy away from experimenting.
- New game developers — The online gambling industry is competitive. Even though you may have only heard of a few software developers, new studios will pop up frequently, trying to take over with fresh, innovative games. Casinos will give these new studios a shot, often featuring their latest creations.
Things we look for in an online casino
So, what constitutes a quality online casino? We like to consider several things to get the full picture and determine whether a casino is worth your time and effort. Here are some of the main criteria:
- Payments — A quality casino should offer a range of payment options. For Canadians specifically, it would be nice if a casino accepted familiar online banking options like Interac, iDebit, and InstaDebit, alongside credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and direct bank transfers. In addition, the casino should allow quick payouts, reasonable deposit and withdrawal limits, and preferably not charge any fees.
- Game selection — Having a wide enough range of games is imperative. Players have different preferences, and a casino should be able to accommodate every type of gambler — from low-level slot enthusiasts to high-rollers seeking action at a VIP blackjack table.
- Software — Featuring a wide range of games is not enough. A good casino must make sure that its games are actually good, constantly balancing between quality and quantity. We tend to like new online casinos that fill up their libraries with products by well-known software companies like NetEnt, Evolution, and the like.
- Promotions — In addition to casino welcome bonuses for new customers, we like to see a range of frequent and interesting promotions for regular patrons. The more you play, the bigger the rewards should be, which is why we prefer casinos that have some kind of a loyalty program.
- Customer support — Nothing can improve or shatter a casino’s image more than its customer support. Top-tier new online casinos in Canada should always be there for players, with 24/7 live chat and email support, together with other means of contact. Apart from availability, support agents should provide accurate answers in a friendly and professional manner.