Slots fans have the biggest and best online casinos in Canada. Games from the big-name producers of live casino slots can be found among 1000s of games from the online-only studios. Many have big win potential, including progressive jackpots which can reach life-changing levels.
This huge choice of slots and casino apps to play them on makes it challenging to know which are the most enjoyable games, with the best bonuses, and biggest progressive jackpots?
This is where the detailed guides here at PlayCanada will help you. Below you will find an overview of the best online slots from a range of studios. You will then find information on how to spot genuinely good bonuses, and how to avoid the bad ones.
Play real money slot games in Canada
What are the best slot games to play?
All the biggest and best international brands welcome Canadian players. The casinos curate their own lists of slots. These come from live studios including IGT and Scientific Games. The biggest casinos have 1000s of slots that you can play on either your desktop or via mobile casino apps.
By sticking with the long-running brands, you can deposit, play, and withdraw your winnings with complete peace of mind. The table below shows the best casinos for online slots and you can check out our detailed reviews for the full low-down on any of them.
Best online slots in Canada
Types of slots you can play online
These days the old distinction between reel slots (featuring three mechanical reels) and video slots barely scratches the surface of the different types of slot game available.
Slots have evolved in multiple ways. Major differences include themes like Ancient Egypt, Irish Luck, or traditional 7s/bar symbols. There are also differences in the number of win-lines, reel setups, wild symbols, scatters and bonus triggers, the number and complexity of bonus features, and whether progressive jackpots are available.
You can play slots that share jackpot pools. Others have familiar bonuses like hold and spin games — which are used with different themes. For many years now, slots have been created with iPhone/smartphone screens in mind. You might find some legacy games do not work as well on the smallest phone screens.
Online slots in Canada: what to expect from the major live slot studios
Many of the slots you can play in live casinos around Canada are now available online. They include games from IGT, Aristocrat, Konami, WMS, Barcrest, Bally and Scientific Games. Below you will find the highlights and popular games from each studio that can be found at online casinos. Note that not all casinos will have the same slot selection.
- IGT: This gambling giant is responsible for a long list of iconic games. You will be able to play Wheel of Fortune slots, Cleopatra, Wolf Run, and Siberian Storm online, among many other games. Look out for the ‘MegaJackpots‘ games. This series of titles shares a progressive jackpot which is regularly over $1 million.
- Aristocrat: Online slots from Aristocrat come from the early video slot titles. The newest games in live casinos, including Walking Dead slots, are not online. You can enjoy classic games including Buffalo, Big Red, and Choi Sun Doa at Canadian online casinos.
- Konami: With distinctive graphics and quirky game play, Konami has a lot of popular online slots. Some of them have jackpots, that are paid completely at random or using special six reels. Popular online slots from Konami include Great Mao and the classic China Shores.
- Barcrest: This slot producer is now part of Scientific Games. It introduced a new concept of high-roller spins to online slots. You pay extra for five spins that come with enhanced features. Popular titles include Rainbow Riches (that now has multiple variations) and Ooh Aah Dracula.
- WMS: Williams Interactive is also a member of the Scientific Games family. Its games often feature unusual reel setups. Examples include Spartacus, an ancient Rome-themed slot with two sets of reels — one standard and the other 12 rows tall. WMS also produces slots themed around Elvis and Bruce Lee.
- Scientific Games: In addition to slots from WMS and Bally, Scientific Games markets games under the ‘SG Digital‘ brand. The iconic Asian-themed ‘Dancing Drums‘ is among their most popular titles. You can now enjoy this game online and if you close the pot, you can win one of four progressive jackpots.
- Bally: Quick Hit slots have made the move from live casinos to online. There are multiple variations of these games. Quick Hit Super Wheel adds multiple bonus features to the famous scatter symbol jackpot prizes. You can also play Dragon Spin and Michael Jackson slots online.
How online slot progressive jackpots work
When you scroll through the list of slots in a casino app, you will see numbers overlaid on the graphics. These highlights which slots have progressive jackpots. You will find jackpots ranging from $1000+ to $10,000,000+. Multiple prizes are in the five, six, and seven-figure range.
Huge progressive jackpots are frequently shared between several casinos. A slot from PlayTech can be licensed by multiple casino brands. The jackpot accumulates quickly because players from all the participating casinos contribute to it. It can then be won at any of these casinos.
Before you play any jackpot slot, you should check the rules or information page. Games frequently specify that you need to bet above a set amount to have a shot of winning the big prize. On reel slots, you will need to play the maximum number of win lines.
In addition to the main prizes, slots often have smaller jackpots that are triggered more frequently. Games with four or more prizes (grand, major, minor, and mini are common) can be played at online casinos in Canada.
The method of delivering the jackpots varies. Some slots simply need you to line up the top symbols, while others pay jackpots via wheel bonus games. You can win prizes via unique bonus features or even have them drop completely at random.
Keep in mind that these big prize pools mean smaller (on average) regular wins. The money for those giant pay outs needs to be accumulated somehow.
Online slots: return to player percentage
Slots payback between 92% and 97% of the money bet. The average returns are built into the mathematics of each game and cannot be changed easily. Big slot producers publish the returns of each game. You will find this on the rules/information screens.
The house edge of slot games is bigger than for casino table games. Keep in mind that your bets are smaller on average for slots, though the pace of play can be fast. Returns are more volatile when playing slots, with occasional huge wins balancing out a series of losing spins.
There are a few ways to ensure that you are maximizing your returns. They include playing higher denomination games, with dollar slots generally having a bigger RTP than penny slots. You should ensure you are eligible for progressive jackpots. Betting less than the minimum deposit required to have a shot at winning the biggest prize is simply giving the casino a bigger edge. Another way to take advantage of bonuses and loyalty schemes is to reduce the long-term edge the casino enjoys.
Accessing online slots: apps and browser-based gaming
There are two ways to access online casinos in Canada. You can either play through your browser or download a casino app for your smartphone, iPhone, or tablet.
If you are using a desktop or laptop, browser-based gaming is best. This gives you access to the full list of slots from major and minor studios in one place. You will also find the full range of casino table games (including live dealer variations), video poker, keno, and scratch-off games.
Smartphone and iPhone users need to weigh a few different factors. Apps give you the easiest navigation and smoothest game play or you can use the browser on your phone instead. There are many more games available via the browser, while a lot of apps only have a small subset of the total. Not every slot has been designed with responsive graphics, making them harder to use on the smallest screens.
You can try out your favourite games on your phone in demo mode before deciding which access method works best for you.
Online slot bonuses in Canada
Slots are the best casino games for clearing bonuses. They are fast, getting through your play-through requirement quickly. Slots also contribute 100% of your bets towards clearing your bonuses. This compares favourably with table games, which contribute at 10% and up.
Canadian players get to pick from welcome bonuses from all the best international casino brands. What you will find is headline bonuses that look similar (usually matched to your first deposit). There are major differences with these bonuses when you check the details. In the terms and conditions, you will find a wide spread of playthrough requirements, time to complete the bonus, and excluded games. There is more on the key things to look out for below, but first, here are the main types of bonus online slots players in Canada will enjoy:
- No deposit bonus: Casinos give you a small amount of free play simply for registering or downloading their apps.
- Matched welcome bonus: A common type of bonus is one that matches your first deposit at 100% (or more) with bonus funds.
- No lose/refund bonus: As an alternative to the matched offers, casinos can refund any losses on your first day, up to a designated amount.
- Free spins: This type of deal often comes alongside the matched deposit bonuses. You get free spins on slots, then play through your winnings to clear them.
Over time, ongoing bonuses will have bigger benefits than the welcome offers. Look out for loyalty programs, extra free spins, reload bonuses, double points promotions, leader board contests, slot tournament entries, and one-off/special promotions. If your online casino does not offer regular promotions, then it is time to find a brand that looks after its regular players better.
Slot bonuses: terms and conditions
Before you jump in and claim the biggest slot bonus advertised, it pays to be aware of how they work. Clauses buried in the terms and conditions will make what looks like an excellent bonus into one that is impossible to clear.
Once you know what to look out for, separating the great slots bonuses from the poor ones is simple. Here are the key factors:
- Playthrough requirement: This is the cornerstone term in casino bonuses. It shows the number of times you need to bet your bonus credits before they “clear” over to your real money account. The range is wide, but 25x your combined bonus and deposit is standard, though some casinos have much higher playthrough terms than this.
- Game weightings: Your playthrough is made harder by casinos that weight different games. This means that only a part of your bet is counted towards your playthrough requirement. Slots are usually weighted at 100%, though video poker is at <10%, meaning much more play is needed.
- Capped wins: Free spins and no deposit bonuses have caps on wins. This might be a maximum total win or simply a clause that excludes progressive jackpots. Keep in mind that free spins wins will be in bonus credits and will have a playthrough requirement attached.
- Time to clear your bonus: This is important for players who deposit larger amounts to take maximum advantage of bonus deals. If you only have a week to complete your playthrough, you might find the bonus expires before you finish it. Look for bonuses with 60 days+ instead.
- Capped bets: Online casinos will often cap bets at $5 or $10 for bonus clearing purposes. They will also specify that you cannot cover too many outcomes. For example, betting on red and black on roulette is considered bonus abuse and will result in your bonus being withdrawn.
Keep in mind that bonuses are strictly one per person, household, and device. This prevents enterprising players from signing up their entire family for a no deposit or free spins offer, for example. Casinos are aware of this and will detect it very easily.
Wrapping up: online slots in Canada
Canadian players have the best of all worlds when it comes to enjoying slots online. All the biggest and best casino brands welcome players from Canada. They host slots from the top studios, combining online versions of live slot classics with games created for online use. On top of this, the competition between casinos means that Canadian players have the best bonus offers to choose from. They include no deposit deals, matched welcome bonuses, and ongoing loyalty schemes and promotions.
There are 1000s of online slot titles to choose from. They range from recreations of legacy reel slots to interactive video slots with multiple bonus features. You can choose slots with life-changing jackpot potential, or go for a game branded around your favourite band or movie franchise.