Simon’s Travelling Series – Online Casinos Canada

Welcome to the Jersey Gypsy column, where our resident travel reporter, Simon Brewster, roams the globe in pursuit of stories.

For the past two weeks, Simon’s been just north of the border with Canada, exploring little-known gems Jersey residents might have overlooked. So far, he’s:

• Used a book vending machine in Toronto
• Crossed the world-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge (photo below)
• Explored the Victorian wonders of Vancouver

As always, though, Simon’s urge to gamble has led him to explore the surprisingly bustling Canadian casino scene.

Look like fun? Not in high winds! BC, Canada

As Robert Burns famously warned us, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Now, I’ve never been accused of having the best-laid plans in the world, but I did head into British Columbia to give you a report on the world-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Then, as often happens in Canada, the weather struck.

Walking on a slim bridge 200 feet in the air during rainfall is certainly a story for my future grandchildren, but also one that got me tied down to my hotel bed with a cold. So, with a newly formed 48-hour hole in my agenda, I did what I always seem to find myself doing: I gambled.

Specifically, I decided to try out the three sites I always hear about when I ask locals to name the best online casinos Canada has to offer.

Choking back my regret, I decided to stay in my cozy hotel suite. It’s a hard job, dear reader, but fortunately one I’ve spent my whole life training for.

Online Casinos I Tried in Canada

I’ve spent enough time in Canada (and, frankly, enough time gambling in Canada) to know who the big dogs are. There are three sites I hear about again and again when it comes to online gambling:

I had the time. I knew the best online casinos in Canada. It was time to pit all three of them against one another to see who the true champion was, once and for all.

Here’s the criteria I used to make my decision:

• Quality of gaming library
• Value of bonuses
• Ease of use
• Payment options and efficiency
• Anything else I feel is relevant (hey, my rankings, my rules)

This is what the weather looked like the day I arrived. It was a lie.

I tried to keep things as equal as possible, so I played a few slots and table games, and a specialty game from each site. I also used my Visa card to deposit and withdraw everywhere. If you speak to Canadian locals, you’ll find that most of them like to use Interac at online casinos, so I just wanted to let you know that was an option, too.

Let’s meet our first contender.

First Site I Tried – Casino Infinity

• Games Tested: Gemix, Cash Strike, Coins of Ra, 21 Burn Blackjack, Multifire Roulette Wildfire, Olympus Plinko
• Hours Spent Testing: 5
• Bonus claimed: C$750 and 200 free spins
• How I did: Up $45

Casino Infinity is one of those sites I’d never heard of when I was in the States, but people up here go crazy for — so you know I had to check it out.

It has a very modern feel, whereas a lot of other online casinos feel like they were made in the AOL days and never updated. Everything here looks great, both on desktop and mobile.

They also have just about anything you could want from a site, from tons of slots to a full-fledged sportsbook. Promising start…but let’s look under the hood.

What I liked

How could you not love Plinko? It’s downright un-Americ– er, un-Canadian.

The first thing I noticed here is they actually offer three different welcome offers, not just one. There’s a regular one for $750 plus 200 free spins, a 10% cashback offer, and a sports betting bonus.

That’s a nice touch, as it recognizes that people play online for different reasons. One criticism I’ve had of the industry for years is that they try to force all gamblers into the same box, so it’s nice to see at least one site has listened to me.

There’s an outstanding selection of slots — over 7,000 in all. You’ll find most of the biggest names here (the “Big Bass” series, “Cash of Gods,” etc) as well as hundreds I’d never heard of before.

The table game selection was robust as well, with multiple options for every game.

However, my favorite section was their specialty section (they call it “instant games”), which has options like Plinko, Aviator, and fish bowl games.

Did I spend most of my time playing Plinko? Yes, I did. Do I regret it? No, I do not.

What I didn’t like 

Hope you like this loading bar. You’re going to be seeing a lot of it.

While the games are beautiful and dazzling to play, they all take forever to load (“forever” in this case is like 20 seconds, but it feels like forever when you’re ready to gamble).

Also, if you need support, you’ll have to go through a bot before you can talk to a real person. Maybe not a huge deal for some, but it’s a pretty big pet peeve of mine.

Still, once I got through to a real person, they were helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable.

Check out Casino Infinity for yourself

The Next Canadian Casino on My List – Crownplay

• Games Tested: Gates of Olympus 1000, Scarab Wheel, Joker Poker, Ultra Warp Roulette, Football Glory Fortune Pick
• Hours Spent Testing: 4
• Bonus claimed: C$4,500 bonus + 350 spins + Bonus Crab
• How I did: Down $38

If Casino Infinity aims to be a sleek and modern online casino, Crownplay is going the other way with it. They really lean into a sort of glamorous nostalgia with their branding, and the best way I can describe it is that it looks like an exclusive high-stakes casino that’s situated on a luxury blimp.

It isn’t a bad thing — but it’s certainly a choice.

Like Casino Infinity, this is a formidable all-around site, complete with sportsbook, live casino, tournaments, and more.

What I liked

The assortment of gorgeous and innovative games here was impressive.

If you’re a slots lover, welcome home.

The selection here is seemingly endless, with thousands of different games to choose from.

Unlike Casino Infinity, it seems like Crownplay puts the big names up front, as virtually every title I saw in the first few rows was a major release (“It’s Sharktime,” “Sweet Bonanza Candyland,” etc).

They take care of their players, too. There are daily tournaments and huge prizes for slot jockeys; while I was there, they were running a $6 million mystery drop promotion for slots players.

You can also play their assortment of “challenges,” which are task-based rewards that pay out in real rewards. Examples include playing certain slots, making sports bets, and activating a bonus. It’s a smart (and fun) way to reward players for their loyalty.

What I didn’t like  I feel like Indiana Jones is about to throw those two people out of a zeppelin.

The slots here are second-to-none. Unfortunately, that meant the table game selection felt a little lackluster by comparison.

Don’t get me wrong, their selection checked all the boxes — but it felt like they were literally just checking boxes. It lacked the imagination and innovation of the slot section.

You likely wouldn’t even notice if it weren’t for all the care and dedication they’d put into selecting their one-armed bandits (and many players likely won’t care at all).

Also, the information section of the site was a bit buggy in a few places. I found a few broken links and other issues that wouldn’t affect gameplay at all, but could be frustrating if you had a problem you needed to solve.

See Crownplay for yourself

The Final Contender for the Canadian Casino Crown – Lucky7even

• Games Tested: Gates of Anubis, OOF the Goldmine Planet, Gravity Roulette, Speed Blackjack 62, Boom City
• Hours Spent Testing: 4
• Bonus claimed: C$3,000 and 200 spins
• How I did: Up $17

I’ve played at Lucky7Even before (you don’t forget a name like that), but I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time on it. I was excited to go back and really kick the tires on it, because my first experience had been a good one.

Lucky7Even has more of a futuristic feel than the other two sites, and that soaks into the games themselves. Every game I played was rich and vibrant, and it felt more like playing video games than gambling at times.

Also, this is one of the few Canadian sites I’ve seen that accepts cryptocurrencies, so they were off to a good start.

What I liked 

How can you not play a game called “Oof?”

You won’t find a sportsbook here — but that just means the focus is 100% on the casino, which I honestly prefer.

The primary appeal here is their big-money scores. They have a dedicated section for jackpot slots and bonus buy games, as well as a “Lucky Spin” prize wheel worth up to $10,000.

As with the other two sites I tried, the games are gorgeous. I played something called “Oof the Goldmine Planet,” and it ended up being one of the best sci-fi games I’ve ever played. I’ll definitely look for it again in the future.

The live games section here was the best I found as well, especially if you like roulette, blackjack, or game shows. Very polished and sophisticated

What I didn’t like  It’s…technically blackjack.

The regular table games section (the one without live dealers) was a little disappointing. Again, it checked all the boxes, but did little more than that.

For example ,the blackjack games look pretty generic. Nothing wrong with that — you’re here for the cash, not the flash, after all — but it’s still disappointing.

Also, only about 90% of the games are available on the app (including most live dealer games). That’s certainly a lot, but full compatibility would be better.

See what Lucky7Even’s about for yourself

What I Leaned by Comparing the Top Online Casinos in Canada

After a long and grueling day of playing casino games, my work was finally done. It was time to pour myself a drink (ok, a couple of drinks) and actually rank these sites.

Here’s how I would summarize the top three:

Best Canadian Casino for Slots: Crownplay

There are thousands of slots here, including the biggest in the industry. Do you have a slot in mind that you’d like to play? They probably have it here. Not sure what you want to play next? They have tons of options for you to try.

Beyond just the game selection, they also have multiple ways to play (and get paid). The slots tournaments are my favorite thing here, but the challenge system is awesome, too.

(It also convinced me to keep playing just to check off a few boxes, so there may be an ulterior motive in play here…)

Best for Table Games: Lucky7Even

There’s a massive caveat here: I’m mainly talking about the live dealer table games. As I mentioned above, the regular table game section is a bit lacking.

However, if you like roulette, blackjack, and similar games, you can find some incredible options in the live dealer section. Plus, you get to feel like you’re actually in Vegas, so it’s a win/win.

Best for Everything Else: Casino Infinity

Casino Infinity does a great job of running an online casino, which sounds odd, but it’s a rare skill nowadays. They take care of their players, which is apparent from the moment you enter the site and see that they allow you to pick the welcome bonus that works for you.

The specialty games here are second-to-none, including my personal favorite, Plinko. It’s a great change-of-pace when the slots aren’t cooperating.

Both Casino Infinity and Lucky7Even offer sports betting as well, but I didn’t check out their sportsbooks.

If I Had to Pick Just One, It Would Be… Casino Infinity

It might seem odd that my top pick didn’t win either of the primary categories, but the fact of the matter is, it was very close in both sections. The slots and table games here are 98% as good as the options elsewhere.

However, where Casino Infinity excels is in the way they treat their players. Everything is tailored towards helping players have the best experience possible, whereas the other two sites leave you alone for the most part.

You’re not going to go wrong with any of these sites…I just feel you’re in better hands with Casino Infinity.

Diving Into the Data: How the Sites Compare

To rank these Canadian online casinos, I selected 3 categories that would help me compare them against each other. It included games, bonuses, and mobile compatibility.

Casino Games Comparison

As I mentioned above, the game selection and quality is very evenly matched at all three sites. These are truly outstanding casinos after all (glad my Canadian friends didn’t lie to me).

Yes, you’ll find a site that outperforms the others a bit in one category or another, but you can’t go too wrong at any of these casinos. After all, are you really going to have a much better time at a site that has 7,000 slots compared to the one that has 6,500?

Bonus Offers Comparison

There’s a little more variance when we get to the bonuses. Casino Infinity is clearly bringing up the rear in terms of a welcome offer — theirs is less than a quarter of what you can find at other sites.

However, counterintuitive as it may seem, I think this actually supports my decision to rank them #1. Here’s why:

Casino Infinity does a much better job offering bonuses to established players than they do to newcomers. This tells me they’re confident that players will keep coming back, whereas other sites often create massive welcome bonuses because they know that’s their one chance to make money off players.

That’s not to say that the welcome offers at the other sites are bad; far from it. Just saying that there’s more here than meets the eye.

Mobile Compatibility Comparison

All the best online casinos Canada offers are compatible with smartphones and these three are no exception. You’ll have just as much fun on a tablet or smartphone as you will on your laptop.

That being said, Casino Infinity stands out in this regard, with 95% of its games available on smaller screens. Crownplay and Lucky7even follow closely behind, each offering around 90% of their games for mobile play.

I also compared the best Australian online casinos – check them out in this guide to learn more.

Just Getting Started Playing Online? My Advice for Newcomers to the Canadian Casino Scene

If you’re new to Canadian online casinos, my best advice is to take your time and explore a few sites before settling on one.

Look at the bonuses, but don’t get too distracted by them. I personally suggest checking out casinos with demo modes, so you can practice without spending any real money.

Start small with your deposits, and don’t rush into games you aren’t familiar with. Focus on games with clear rules and a lower house edge, such as when you try simple slots or play blackjack.

Basic Info About Canadian Online Casinos

Struggling to wrap your head around all the options out there? Don’t feel bad — it can be confusing for newbies. Here are a few things I think you should know before getting started:

You’ll Never Run Out of Casino Games to Try

When it comes to casino games, variety is key, and most top Canadian online casinos deliver. Beyond the typical slots, I’ve noticed a solid range of table games and live dealer rooms that bring a more immersive feel.

I’ve found that games by top developers like Pragmatic Play tend to offer a smoother, more reliable experience.

Another tip? Check for tournaments or special events – these can add more fun to the usual lineup.

Always, Always Check the Banking Methods

Depositing and withdrawing your funds should be easy, and it’s crucial to pick a casino with flexible banking options.

Make sure that any site you pick accepts your preferred payment methods, whether that’s a credit card like Visa, a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, or even a method like Interac.

I’ve found that using crypto speeds up transactions and often comes with fewer fees. But if you’re more comfortable with traditional methods, most casinos will accommodate that too.

Not All Casino Bonuses Are Created Equal

When signing up, the first thing you’ll notice is the variety of bonuses on offer. I’ve learned to look beyond the big numbers and focus on terms like wagering requirements.

A high wagering requirement can take a bonus that looks good and make it incredibly difficult to earn. On the other hand, sometimes you’ll see a bonus that looks “meh,” but when you dig into the fine print, you discover that it actually represents great value.

Also, welcome bonuses are great, but I prefer sites with ongoing promos like weekly reloads, cashback offers, and tournaments. This gives you a steady stream of rewards, not just a one-time deal.

Don’t Sleep On Streamlined Sign Up Processes

Most Canadian casinos make it easy to sign up. From my experience, you can usually create an account in under 5 minutes.

You’ll need to provide some basic details, but nothing too complicated. I recommend having your ID ready for verification, as it’s required for withdrawals. It’s a simple step, but it’s worth being prepared to avoid delays.

If a site makes it incredibly difficult to sign up, it may be a bit of a red flag.

My Final Thoughts About Canadian Online Casinos

If you’ve never played at a Canadian online casino, you’re honestly missing out. The action here is just as good — if not better — than any I’ve seen across the globe.

The three sites I tried came highly recommended to me, and after spending some time on them, I can see why. They all offer a ton of games, big bonuses, and an all-around great playing experience.

Does that mean I didn’t have a few complaints? No, of course not — you can read my reviews above to see what I would change.

Overall, though, they’re just as much fun as going to the actual casino, and I’ll definitely be playing on each of them again the next time I’m back in Canada.

If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend Casino Infinity, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Just remember to play responsibly and, above all, have fun.

FAQs About These Casinos

There are a few questions that seem to come up again and again when talking about online casinos anywhere, so I put together this guide for anyone just starting out.

Are Canada’s Best Online Casinos Safe?

Yes, Canadian casinos online are safe as long as you stick to reputable sites like those listed here.

These legit online casinos are licensed and regulated by reputable authorities like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority and are fully SSL-encrypted.

As with regular casinos, trust your gut — if something feels off, go somewhere else. It’s ridiculously easy to do in this day and age.

What Are the Best Online Casinos for Real Money in Canada?

Quick disclaimer: I played on the three sites that were most commonly recommended to me by regular Canadian gamblers. There may be other sites I didn’t try that are just as good as these three, if not better.

That being said, Casino Infinity was the best site I tried. It has just about everything the other two sites can offer, plus it treats its players fairly. That’s not something you can say about just any casino nowadays, sadly.

Are Online Casino Winnings in Canada Taxable?

Online gambling winnings are generally not taxable for casual gamblers in Canada, as gambling is considered a hobby rather than a business.

However, if online gambling is your primary source of income, or you’re considered a professional gambler, the Canadian Revenue Agency may view your winnings as taxable income. So, always consult a tax professional.

What Is the Legal Gambling Age in Canada?

The legal online gambling age in Canada varies by province, typically set at either 18 or 19 years old. For instance, Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec allow gambling at 18, while most other provinces have set the age at 19.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling carries risks, so you should only play within your means.

If you’re struggling with a gambling addiction, reach out for help from a professional at the National Gambling Helpline through this phone line: 1-626-960-3500. 

All gambling websites and guides on this website are 18+. Check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal in your area. Not valid in Ontario.

Check these websites for free gambling addiction resources.