Casino Reviews for Canadian Players

Canadian players might be wondering how we produce casino reviews. Below is a list of criteria we consider in each of our real money casino reviews. We break down our rating into several key factors, then aggregate those numbers to calculate our final rating when we post a Canadian online casino review.

Game Content

An casino won’t work for you if it doesn’t have the games you prefer to play. Online slots players need many game options. Slot games need fun themes, advanced graphics, and big jackpots. The blackjack and roulette selection need to be varied and support play from low rollers and high rollers alike. These factors should be discussed in our reviews.

Craps, baccarat, and table poker needs to be available. Online Keno, Bingo, and scratch card games also should be playable, along with video poker. Our casino reviews state the slots, table games, live dealer games, and other gaming content.

Welcome Bonus & Other Promotions

The welcome bonus should be large enough to attract VIP players, but also has a deposit minimum low enough for small-stakes players. The match rate should be 100% or higher. The wagering requirement should not be so high that you have no realistic chance of cashing out once the requirement is met. If you like table games and video poker, these games should contribute to the rollover. Good casino reviews need wagering requirement information.

Beyond that, Canadian online casinos’ ongoing bonus promotions should be beneficial. Reload bonuses should have generous terms, while the site should have daily and weekly bonuses to encourage midweek play. Free chips should be available from time to time, while casino insurance or rebates should be offered. Each of our online casino reviews has a bonuses and promotions section.

Player Rewards

The best Canadian casinos have player rewards programs, also known as VIP clubs. These are like the slots club in a land-based casino, offering comps and other perks for volume play. The membership tiers should be varied enough that low rollers and high rollers each benefit. VIP players deserve special treatment, so our reviews touch on this subject.

Software Support

Software support is essential to a good experience. Games should be optimized for Windows desktop and laptop computers, while Mac users should be able to play most or all of the games (usually through browser-based instant play games).

These sites should include licensed slot games from many providers to maintain a high level of variety when possible. This also allows players to shop for the biggest progressive jackpot slots. Our reviews always cite software providers.

Mobile Casino Games

Currently, they need to have mobile apps for Android and iOS. Around 50% of all casino players online these days use their Android smartphone or iPhone for gambling on the go. These players need full optimization, so our reviews rate a site’s mobile casino’s compatibility and number of games.

Live Dealer Games

Live casino games are almost as important these days. From the time Canadian bettors started gambling online, some did not like playing table games using video simulations and RNGs. Live dealer games restore blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat to the way it was meant to be played – with live dealers and croupiers. Casino reviews should note a site’s live casino.

The game is filmed in a live casino studio somewhere in the world (often in Toronto), then livestreamed to your computer screen in real time. Live casinos offer the convenience and privacy of online casinos with the camaraderie and game mechanics of land-based casino games. Our reviews list the live dealer games and bet limits available in the live casino.

Safety and Security

Nothing else matters if your account is breached by an identity thief. Safety and security are a big part of our reviews. The best gambling sites need 128-bit encryption and SSL certificates. Payment methods should be diverse and modern, while Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies should be available. Third-party testers should audit these sites for safety periodically, then their certification should be made public. Our casino reviews always cite safety and security factors.

Licensing

Private third-party auditors aren’t the only ones who should be overseeing operations. Government regulatory agencies also should provide auditing and oversight. When you gamble online, you should always check to see which licensing agencies provide a site with its license. This confers legitimacy on the site.

The UK Gambling Commission is the gold standard of licensing authorities, but the regulators in Gibraltar, Malta, The Isle of Man, Alderney, Antigua & Barbuda, Cyprus, and Curacao also have good reputations. Also, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission here in Canada licenses many of the best Canadian casinos. BOC’s reviews list licensing information when available.

Customer Service

Customer service remains key. Even if the software seldom has issues, these things do happen, so you’ll want the support staff to be competent. We rate customer service for their knowledge, training, and fluency. They should be friendly and helpful, along with being mindful of your time. Customer service issues drive off consumers in many different industries and online gambling is no different, so our reviews discuss the customer relations an casino provides.