Canada

The online casino industry is at its most saturated in history and as a result players have a wide variety of online casinos to choose from.

This puts the ball in the player’s court, as the onus falls on the casino to entice players to create an account, which is made enticing by offering players a range of bonuses.

Here we discuss the types of online casino bonuses you are most likely to come across.

Must Read: Wagering / Playthrough Requirements

All bonuses come with attached wagering or playthrough requirements and it’s of utmost importance that you read these terms and conditions properly and make sure you understand them.

Accepting the offered bonus tells the online casino that you are accepting the attached terms and conditions, and that you are happy with the amount that will have to be wagered before being able to cash out your winnings.

This amount could be as much as 50, 60, or 70 times the bonus amount, so make sure you understand completely.

Welcome, New Player, or Sign-Up

This is generally the most generous online casinos bonus of all as this is how online casinos attract new players.

When deciding whether to create an account or not, take a look at the full range of bonus offers, as you don’t want to sign up with an online casino which only offers a good welcome bonus.

Rather sign up with an online casino which spreads their bonuses out across the full spectrum of bonus types.

Welcome bonuses generally come in the form of No Deposit Bonuses, Matching Bonuses, and Percentage Bonuses.

• No Deposit: this is the best kind of bonus on offer as it gives you a chance to try out CAD casino games without having to make a deposit upfront and you are able to win money while playing with a No Deposit Bonus.
• Matching Deposit: the online casino will match what you deposit with them, up to a certain amount. For example, a 100% bonus up to $200.
• Percentage: while this is certainly not as lucrative as the other bonuses, the percentage bonus will match a certain percentage of your deposit, up to a certain amount. For example, a 75% bonus up to $200.

Reload

Reload bonuses apply specifically to existing online casino account holders and are designed to keep the player returning to the site to make further deposits.

This type of bonus is similar to welcome bonuses and generally take the form of Matching Deposit or Percentage Bonuses.

Loyalty

Most online casinos have customer reward or loyalty programs and VIP programs which reward players every time they place a bet.

You will generally be automatically signed up to the program when creating an account and you’ll earn points every time you play. Depending on the casino, these points can be exchanged for special offers and bonuses.

Free Trial No Deposit

This type of bonus is strictly for in casino use and cannot be cashed out, and neither can any winnings generated while playing with this bonus.

Players receive a free bonus to enjoy a free trial of the casino games and software without making a deposit upfront.

Important Information

If at any point you are unsure of any aspect of your online casino bonus or account in general, please take full advantage of the customer service agents who will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Real money casino games are incredibly popular in Canada and like many other parts of the world the gambling laws of the country can be relatively complicated.

There are several forms of government approved land-based gambling as well as a few forms of online gambling, but the laws relating to companies based overseas aren’t all that clear. Continue reading “Gambling Laws and Regulations in Canada”

Gambling in Canada- A Short History

The casino industry is one of the biggest in the world, with billions of people around the globe enjoying some of the best games the casino world has to offer.

Whether it’s slots, poker, blackjack, or bingo, over the last twenty years, the world of gambling has grown exponentially to become the behemoth that it is today.

There are many countries around the world that frown upon casinos, but fortunately there are many more that allow it fully, such as Canada.

Canada has some of the best gambling laws in the world, and most citizens are free to enjoy casino games at their own luxury.

The question is, how did it culminate in having some of the best gambling laws in the world? Like with all Canadian history, expansion of the casino industry in the country is both interesting and informative.

Where It All Began

Canada was colonised by Europeans in the 1860s, but before the colonists arrived, there are many records of the natives enjoying their own forms of gambling.

Reports from as far back as the late 1400s tell of native people of Canada playing and betting on games of chance that were in place to test their mental and physical limits.

After the country had been officially colonised, gambling carried with it many of the laws from previous countries, such as those in Britain.

This meant that the government in Canada eventually banned gambling in its entirety in 1892, but this only lasted 8 years.

In 1900, the government dropped the ban, and the people were free to enjoy gambling as they saw fit. Some years later, during the 1960s, the government saw the value of national lotteries, and over time, allowed more land-based casinos to be built.

Modern Canadian Casinos

Casinos in Canada proved to be a monumental success, and before long there were casinos of every shape and size in just about every settlement around the country.

Canadians enjoyed all the classic games that casinos had to offer, including poker, blackjack, roulette, and the ever-beloved slots.

Instead of having to drive all the way to Las Vegas to enjoy all the entertainment and thrills that casinos had to offer, Canadians were now able to instead visit local cities and make use of their casinos, and each one had all the luxury and activities to match even those casinos based in Las Vegas.

Online Casinos

It wouldn’t be until the late 1990s that the first online casinos were introduced to the world, and never before had the industry had such a massive explosion in popularity.

Software developers began releasing their own games, selling them to online casinos. Well-known casinos such as River Belle Casino by Microgaming became the standard of online casino gameplay, and Canadians were quick to adopt all the conveniences that online casinos had to offer.

Some years later, and mobile casinos and games were introduced into the market, becoming an instant hit across the country.

Today, it’s easy to find some of the latest and best games available simply by loading up your smart phone.

Gambling and its Benefits for Canadian Provinces

The Canadian Federal Government is not the one that oversees gambling laws and regulations in every province of the country. Instead, each provincial government has its own laws and regulations pertaining to casinos and gambling. Continue reading “Gambling and its benefits for Canadian Provinces”

Playthrough requirements, also known as wagering requirements, come part and parcel with online casino bonuses, and players in Canada should pay special attention to how these will affect play at their favourite online casino.

Unlike traditional land based casinos that have many overhead expenses, online casinos do not have as many and this is what enables them to offer players in Canada and beyond a variety of lucrative bonuses.

However, these bonuses will almost always come with terms and conditions attached, otherwise known as playthrough requirements, and you should always take note of these when deciding on whether to take up a bonus or not.

While online Canadian casino bonuses allow players to play their favourite games with more than just their bankrolls, these bonuses will have specific requirements that need to be met.

Playthrough Requirements and Restrictions on Games

Playthrough requirements are implemented by online casinos in order to protect their bonuses, and each type of bonus will have a different set of terms and conditions attached.

Sign up or welcome bonuses will always be the most handsome, and as such these bonuses generally have the most playthrough requirements attached. These requirements may be difficult to understand at first, but with our help players in Canada will have them down pat in no time.

When looking at the playthrough requirements attached to a specific bonus, these requirements will be displayed with an ‘x’. This ‘x’ denotes the amount of times you will have to stake your deposit, bonus amount or the deposit AND bonus amount before the bonus will become available to withdraw.

Game restrictions may also be implemented as part of the playthrough requirements, meaning only stakes on certain games will contribute to the total amount required.

Examples of Playthrough Requirements

The above explanation of playthrough requirements might still have left some players in Canada scratching their heads in confusion, but below you will find a practical example which will make playthrough requirements a lot simpler.

For example, if you sign up to a top-ranked casino and opt to take up the welcome bonus of $100, the playthrough requirement may be 20x deposit. This effectively means that you will have to play the bonus amount 20 times (100 x 20 = 2000) before you will be allowed to withdraw the said bonus.

Some casinos will also attach game restrictions on this playthrough requirement, for example only money staked on slots will count towards the total, but not on Blackjack or Roulette.

How Playthrough Bonuses Can Affect Play

If you’re just starting out at a new online casino, a sign up bonus is going to be a welcomed gesture as this extra cash will really boost your bankroll and may open up your online casino experience in a whole new way.

If you take the above example of 20x deposit as the playthrough requirement of a sign up bonus, and you know you will be wagering this amount easily over time, then it makes complete sense to accept the offered bonus.

However, it’s also important to remember that the sign up bonus isn’t the only type of bonus that will be offered to you over the course of time while you enjoy your favourite online casino games, so don’t fret if you decide to not accept the welcome bonus.

Top-ranked casinos offer regular players exclusive bonuses and rewards, so it makes the most sense to return to your favourite online casino on a regular basis.

When online casinos first became popular amongst players in Canada there were many concerns regarding the safety and security of personal information, and whether it was safe to share information of this kind online.

Online casinos have as such gone to great lengths to assure players of the many ways in which they keep their personal information safe, and sharing of sensitive information has now become commonplace.

Since then a new concern has arisen amongst players in Canada regarding the sharing of their personal information, but this time these concerns are in connection with mobile casino safety.

Make Good Choices from the Start

The best online casinos open to players in Canada all use top-notch security software to protect their players personal information and are backed by reliable organizations which ensure fair play, such as eCOGRA (e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance).

The first step to ensure mobile casino safety is to only make use of the mobile casino version of a reputable online casino, as the safety and security measures put in place on their online casinos extend to the mobile versions as well.

When perusing your favourite online casino for Canada, if they are reliable you should easily be able to find their online casino license information, and the site should have the seal of approval from more than one security firm.

Once you are satisfied that they are ensuring the safety of their players, you can download the mobile casino software with peace of mind.

Security in Detail

There may be some players who need a bit more assurance regarding the safety of mobile casino gaming, so here we will go more in-depth with regards to the ways in which online casinos keep their players in Canada safe online.

Most online casinos will have all the important information pertaining to their site security right at the bottom of their homepage, and this information should not be hard to find.

If you are having any difficulties locating licensing and security information, you should take this as a sign that it’s best to hightail it out of there and find a different online casino.

The most reputable online casinos are the ones who provide up to date licensing agreements with the correct registration details available to read at all times, make use of SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption systems and RNG (Random Number Generator) software on all of their games.

Mobile Anti-Virus Software

If you’re using the mobile casino version of a reputable and trustworthy online casino and have ensured that all their security features are top-notch, but you’re still worried about safety you can make use of mobile anti-virus software.

This is a separate program that you will have to download and install on your mobile device, but is very similar to the anti-virus software that the majority of players in Canada will have installed on their PC’s or laptops.

Mobile anti-virus software can be used to scan any files, apps or programs that you may download onto your mobile device, and will detect if there are any viruses, spyware or malware embedded in the files which could be used to track your personal information.

Mobile anti-virus software is an inexpensive way to ensure that you are constantly secured and is recommended, but not a necessity to ensure mobile casino Canada safety. If you follow all the guidelines set out above, you can play on the go with peace of mind knowing your information is safe and secure.

In Canada, casino gambling is a favourite pastime of many people. Whether online or at land based casinos, gambling provides players with a rich source of entertainment as well as an opportunity to win big.

But have you ever thought about which casino games are the most popular. At any online and land base casino, there are certain gaming floor sections that are busier than others. We take a look at the most popular type of casino games in Canada.

Online Slots

If you were going to hazard a guess, you would probably put slots at the top of the list; and you would be correct. Slot games, or video slots in particular are certainly the most popular type of casino game played in Canada or anywhere in the world for that matter. Offline and online slots Canada have become quite popular in recent years.

It’s easy to see why slots have become the number 1 choice for many players. For starters, they are really easy to play and offer up huge payouts.

To add to this, video slots each have their own theme with hundreds of games in every shape and form. Add to this the bonus in-game features, 3D graphics and progressive jackpots, and you will always have a winner.

Video Poker

One casino game that is certainly gaining momentum is video poker. Played in land based casinos and online, video poker has all the fast-paced action of an electronic game with the skills based gaming that gamblers love. Unlike regular table poker games, video poker can be played individually against the computer.

This means no waiting for an open table or having to bluff your way through the game. There are many different types of video poker games found online including 5 card draw, Omaha stud, casino Hold’em and three card poker.

Online video poker can also be played for free. This gives players the opportunity to hone their skills before swapping over to playing for real money.

Keno

Lottery-style casino games have always been popular. In Canada, keno is certainly one of the most popular at any online casino.

For those who are new to the game, Keno is a type of lottery game where the object is simply to pick a set of winning numbers from a total of 80.

Once you have picked your numbers, the keno machine will randomly draw out 20 numbers and you will be paid out for every matching number. Not only is keno fun to play, it also has one of the highest payouts of any casino game.

Roulette

One classic casino game that will always be a crowd favourite is roulette. In land based casinos the roulette table usually attracts the biggest crowd. With the introduction of live dealer roulette, the online version has also increased in popularity.

The reason roulette has become so popular is because of the wide range of betting opportunities for both novice players and high rollers. Players can place single 1:1 bets or multiple bets with varying payouts.

The game itself is easy to learn and the payouts can be as high as 36:1. With online roulette, players can learn the basics of the game in practice play before swapping over.

Are Land Based Casinos Being Upstaged by Online Casinos?

The online casino industry took the world by storm and has continued to impress as technology has advanced but what exactly has this meant for land based casinos. Some might think that the online boom signals the end for them but since they offer a different experience this might not be the case.

Yes it is far more convenient to play online as the vast majority of players may not be located near a land based casino and there are many other attractions to this platform but land based casinos offer a lot of their own advantages.

The Advantages of Land Based Casinos

Players who are serious about the games and about winning money have the ability to enjoy both online and land based casinos for what they are worth with their major differences being playing in a social atmosphere or playing alone in one’s own environment.

The advantages of land based casinos do however go far beyond playing casino games. Canada has many land based casinos across the country all of which offer entertainment above and beyond casino games.

New casinos have opened in the recent years which means there really isn’t a decline in land based casinos. What they do offer is a day or night out for the whole family and alternative activities for those wishing to enjoy the social aspect.

Bars and restaurants of all types cater for buffet, fine dining and more. Under 18’s may not have access to the casino floors but they will find arcades and more to keep them occupied at some casinos.

The hotels offer superior accommodation with breathe taking Canadian views and quality service. Canada really has some of the world’s finest casinos that are fun venues offering unrivalled services and wide varieties of casino games.

There are pools and spas for relaxation and beauty treatments which are major attractions to land based casinos.

Some of Canada’s Successful Casinos

Casino Niagara is a fairly new casino that opened in 1996. It is situated in Niagara Falls, Ontario close to the great attraction. It is known to be the first casino in Ontario to offer electronic roulette and has over 1 000 slots, more than 30 table games and fantastic sports betting facilities.

Casino New Brunswick has a four star hotel, buffet, day spa and a swimming pool. It offers a variety of casino games too.

The Hard Rock Casino in Vancouver is famous for its casino floor and the live performance theatre that’s seats more than 1 000. Live music and comedy shows are regular events that are held here.

Caesars Windsor is one the four casinos located in the Windsor – Detroit area. It is owned by the government of Ontario and operated by Caesars Entertainment.

The River Cree Casino and Resort in Enoch Alberta is one famous for its live music events. It has luxurious suites and facilities with a casino floor open from 10am to 3am.

Montreal Casino is situated on the Notre Dame Island in Ville Marie, Montreal, Quebec. This is Canada’s largest land based casino as is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Do you prefer to enjoy your mobile real money slots online, or do you enjoy being physically present in a casino when you play?

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With widespread Internet availability and a host of devices that have seamlessly flooded the market platforms that permit players in the USA and Canada to play online casino games and win real money are on the up rise.

In 2006 the government making it problematic for players inside the USA to enjoy premium online casinos passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

If you are on the quest to play games and win real money in the USA & Canada, this manual will provide you with insightful tips, which will enhance any gaming experience.

Online casinos have gained popularity over the years in a range of countries around the world, including New Zealand, Australia and many more places.

Playing In Real Money Casinos Online

Players from the North American region on the lookout to play and win real money will be in high spirits as all respectable providers available in the region are a safe bet.

Advanced security information systems and data integrity are at the core of any online casino, protecting player information from potential risks associated with phishing and pharming. Players who decide to play are increasing rapidly.

The advent of the Internet, the devices available to connect and the connection ports available globally is making the planet a smaller domain than ever before.

This rapid expansion has allowed providers an enhanced edge over land-based counterparts, due to their convenience and availability.

Finding Reliable Real Money Casinos

Opting to play online casino games and win real money can be an intimidating task.

Players can become overwhelmed with the collection of games available, reliable software and game engine options, trustworthy casinos available and safe depositing methods.

When you play on these platforms, always research the games and the software provider.

There are a number of reliable software providers available for casino games all with their own distinct variants.

Your choice should have all informative licenses and moderating institutions clearly visible on the websites homepage.

Reliable online casinos will have these features in order to adhere to the operating policy of the casino.

Real Or Practice Play

To play online is an exhilarating experience next to none. Players from the USA, and in some cases those opting for online slots Canada options, should be aware that certain online casinos offer a practice play option.

It is wise to consider practice play before making a real money deposit into the casino. This allows players to become comfortable within the software on offer and a better, more informed decision can be made on the casino.

The Casino Payout Rate

Reliable casinos will advertise a certain Payout Rate. If a provider advertises a Payout Rate of 98%, for every $100 dollars deposited and wagered with, the player will essentially receive $98 dollars in return. The $2 remains the casinos share.

Tips And Advice on Wagering For Real Money

If you are looking to jump into the action, consider your wagering strategy before hand and implement methods that allow a certain degree of control over wagering options.

Various games allow for different strategies and game play methods. Video slots are casino games that include numerous paylines and occasionally multiple ways to win.

For this reason video slots are more likely to produce winning combinations more frequently than a table games such as roulette.

Skill and strategy games require more cautious wagering, which players become familiarized with over time.