While some countries don’t even allow gambling, people in Canada do enjoy it. Canada has an interesting gambling history, indigenous tribes enjoyed games of chance for centuries. Today, Canadians still love to gamble, however, the new technology has made it much easier for them. Casinos, both offline and online are very popular among men and women in Canada, with both sexes making up almost the same percentage (56% men and 43% women). [1]
There are some good reasons for the popularity of online and offline gambling in the country. Canadians have a high disposable income, so they approach gambling as entertainment, not as a means of financial stability. Some land-based casinos are legal in Canada, and the country has some of the most beautiful gambling resorts in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, which are the country’s main tourist attractions too.
For the most part, all gambling is legal for Canadians, but to operate legally, an online casino must apply for a license from the local government, as each province has its own unique regulations for gambling.
Here, we have summed up the pros and cons of offline casinos vs online casinos in Canada, so you can choose the gambling method to approach for the best experience.
- Traditional casinos can be intimidating for beginners
If you are a beginner and without a huge bankroll, you will be treated as undesirable at the traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. Traditional casinos can feel intimidating at times, and that’s the reason many avoid visiting them.
Best online casinos in Canada is beginner-friendly, and also offers great features for professional, seasoned gamblers that entice them. It offers crazy bonuses for new players. You can expect to get a return on your first deposit. Many offer free spins and special clubs to join, and even allow you to bet pennies!
- Online games are available instantly
Offline casinos in Canada do have plenty of games but you may have to wait for an hour or so to play your favorite poker or blackjack. Add to this, your lucky slot machine could be overtaken by someone who thinks that it’s their own lucky machine too.
On the other hand, you can bring the real-life dealer game right to your home with a few clicks on your smartphone with live dealer online casino games, as and when you want to play.
- Traditional casinos offer a lot of social element
Brick-and-mortar casinos offer you drinks, rooms and entertainment tickets, and a lot of social aspects.
Online casinos understand this, and try to make theirs as social as much, with options like advance chat and live dealer games. They give away things to you too, which are in the form of bonuses and promotions, which are generated more quickly than offline games, so you have more points and more free money.
- Offline casinos require travel
You will have to battle a snowstorm just to try and win money in a brick-and-mortar casino. You will have to make travel arrangements to the venue, decide what to wear, and arrange for childcare if necessary,
Fast forward to the top 10 online casinos in Canada, just cuddle up, make some hot cappuccino, and get started right away on your desktop or laptop from the comfort and safety of your home. Download casino apps, and your smartphone will become your virtual casino on the go.
Here is the list of top 10 online casinos in Canada which have been independently reviewed by experts on a variety of parameters, like welcome bonus, payment methods, and casino experience, etc., to help you choose the best operator suitable to your needs.
| Casino | Bonuses |
| Betsafe | Up to C$1,000
+ 50 free spins |
| Bob Casino | 100% bonus up to C$250
+ 100 free spins |
| Casino Friday | 100% bonus up to C$500
+ 200 free spins |
| Casino Room | Double the first deposit
New player bonus |
| Casombie | 130% bonus up to C$195
New player bonus |
| Casumo | 100% bonus up to C$500
+115 free spins |
| Caxino | 100% bonus up to C$200
+100 free spins |
| Cookie Casino | Up to C$300
+220 free spins |
| Energy | 150% bonus up to C$200
+50 EnergySpins |
| Fastplay | 100% up to C$150
+100 free spins |
- Online casinos are easily accessible
Offline casinos are limited by floor space and building size
You can access online offshore casinos that are licensed with just a click on your smartphone from any country.
- Payouts and odds
As offline casinos have huge overheads in the form of infrastructure, so payout of games is lowered.
Online casinos too have overheads, but not that much, so you have better payouts, which could be anything from 95% to 97%.
- There are more online licensed casinos
The number brick-and-mortar casinos is limited, only big cities have them.
You have thousands of providers offering internet gambling, and you can choose any licensed online casinos to play.
- Responsible gambling
When it comes to responsible gambling, online casinos are best as they have many features to support responsible gambling, like limiting your betting amount and deposits, and setting gameplay time.
No such responsible gambling functions are available in offline casinos.
Brick-and-mortar casinos provide the real aura of gambling
Still, there are many people who love to play at conventional, land-based casinos due to the intensity and excitement of gambling, and human interactions which are absent in online casinos. Plus, free drinks and food are real perks. You get exciting lights, music and entertainment, and a lot of social interaction with other people. Indeed, offline casinos provide the real aura of gambling. Going to a brick-and-mortar casino is an event, you will set up a day or multiple days, and come with a set bankroll that will save you from overspending.
Opinions vary about offline vs online casinos in Canada
Opinions will vary about which type of casino is better, online or offline. Gaming preferences may also vary depending upon age, older betting fans prefer laid-back games like bingo, while younger players prefer the faster slots. Brick-and-mortar casinos in Canada do offer a lot of fun but they are not always practical, as you need to have the willingness to travel, and a lot of money. When playing on online casinos, you can sit back and play wearing whatever you want, you won’t have to put on any poker face, and you can just be you!
Though offline casinos are great, more and more players are turning to online casinos due to their ease of access, more game varieties (slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, live dealer, sports betting, progressive jackpots, Pai Gow, Baccarat, Sic Bo, Craps, etc.), playing convenience, and generous bonuses.
Popularity of online casinos is increasing
Online casinos are constantly looking for opportunities to provide you with an authentic player experience, like live dealer games wherein you can interact with other players and real-life dealers. Also, there is a consistent rise in crypto casinos, and many online casinos in Canada now allow online payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Tracking crypto is difficult, so you can enjoy unmatched privacy and better gameplay at crypto casinos.
How to recognise a fake online casino
The gaming industry has transformed a lot, from having very limited choices in offline gambling to a thriving online presence. Moreover, the number of online casinos is very high, and you need to be conscious about choosing an authentic, licensed and regulated one, as it is easy to fall into trap of counterfeit online casinos. Some of the tell-tale signs of counterfeit casinos are described below:
- No information on RTP (Return to Player)
- Lack of licensing information
- No testing certifications
- Chip dumping
- Identity theft
- Suspicious payment methods
- Chargebacks
- Rigged games
- Illegal sites disguised a legal
- Downloadable games that come with spyware and ransomware, and
- No reliable customer support.
Best Online Casino Canada guarantees that you enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience, and only recommends casinos that meet its strict evaluation criteria related to:
- Security
- Software quality
- Reliability
- Legality
- Game variety
- Compatibility and usability
- Good reviews by real players
- Deposits and withdrawals
- Customer support, and more
You will also get important online casino statistics such as the average wagering requirement for online casinos, average minimum and maximum deposit amount for online casinos, the most popular online casino games, etc. Thus, you will be able to select the best online casino to play based on various criteria, like the casino with the fastest withdrawals, casinos with the best welcome bonus, casinos with the best no deposit bonus, etc.
