Feeling ready to play casino games online? It’s a great decision. No need to travel to Las Vegas. No more formal dress codes and you don’t have to worry about security. Online casinos are convenient. And they’re cheap too—most sites let you deposit from $10.
Unfortunately, most casinos in Canada are based offshore. As such, you have to research immensely to discover a reliable casino. Use these tips to score a top-rated gaming website.
Check the Basics
All reliable casinos have some common features—a license, security certificates, a mobile-friendly website, and safe payment providers. If one of these features is missing, then that’s not a trustworthy casino.
A license shows legitimacy. It also tells you where a company is located and regulated. Many online casinos in Canada are based in Malta or the UK. That means they are regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, Alderney, or the Gibraltar control board.
A casino’s basic security measures include an SSL certificate, signaled by a padlock sign on the website search bar. Password protection and privacy policies are standard requirements too. An independent audit from eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI also helps. But it’s not compulsory.
Banking Choices and Policies
A reliable online casino will usually work with trusted payment companies. The most renowned names in the industry are PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, INSTADEBIT, Paysafe, Visa, MasterCard, Bank Transfer, and Bitcoin.
Some casinos provide up to 20 banking options and that’s commendable. But take time to read a casino’s policies to determine the best payment method. For example, find out the limits and fees surrounding different e-wallets and debit cards.
For clarity, find out both the deposit and withdrawal fees and limits. Choose a payment option with little to no fees and flexible limits. To expound more on limits, join a casino that allows you to cash out from $10 up to $20,000 or more per month.
Another vital payment policy is the withdrawal speed. Deposits generally reflect into your account instantly. But withdrawals take time—a few hours at the best casinos and up to four weeks at the worst websites.
A Full Range of Games
Depending on your interests, you probably don’t need a casino with 2000+ games. Maybe you only play slots. In that case, you might not pay attention to live casino games. But if you’re like many people, you want a reliable website that serves all purposes.
You don’t want to play jackpots at one casino and look for a different website to play poker. You want all your favorite games in one place, which is why game variety is essential. That said, it’s not just about the numbers.
Choose quality over quantity of games. If you like slots, find a game with high-quality games. That means high payouts, advanced graphics, creative themes, bonus rounds, and jackpots. If you prefer table games, choose a site with a fully-fledged live casino.
For the uninitiated, online casinos acquire games from independent software developers. These are some of the best companies to look out for NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Evolution, Play’n GO, BTG, and Quickspin.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses make casino gaming more exciting. They also help you win more money or reduce your losses. In other words, they are necessary—especially if they come with friendly terms and conditions.
The best online casinos in Canada all have bonuses for new customers. And they give out these rewards whether you deposit $10 or $1000. In many cases, you get an incentive when you register an account or make a deposit.
Registration bonuses are usually small—ten free spins or $20. But after you make a deposit, most casinos will often double or triple your amount. That way, you receive $100 as a bonus when you deposit $100 or $500 if you top up a similar amount.
Although many casinos have welcome bonuses, not every operator has amazing promotion deals. So, check around to discover the kinds of rewards to expect from a casino regularly and not just after you create an account.
The best casinos have these loyalty bonuses: cashback and VIP programs, quests and tournaments or reload bonuses. Many of these offers are great. But read the qualifications needed and the conditions of turning bonus winnings into cash.
User Friendly, Web Design
One common complaint about online casinos is that some websites lag and crash often. Yet far too many people join casinos without vetting the reliability of their sites. Most operators have beautiful web designs, so look beyond the first impression.
Check a website’s categories and web pages. Click through some of these pages to observe their loading speeds and whether they fit smoothly on your devices. If you can play some games on demo modes, try them out.
The goal is to ensure a casino site runs smoothly. That way, there’s a minimal chance of crashes or lagging when you want to play your favorite games. While at it, assess the website’s performance on your iPhone or Android smartphone. You’ll probably want to play some of the games on your cell phones regularly.
Customer Service
Online casinos provide three main contact channels: Email chatbots and phone calls. Chatbots make the most sense. They are a click away. No need to queue for a reply and you can ask for help 24/7.
Unfortunately, not every casino values good customer service. So, research to find out the quality of customer help a website offers before you become one of their players. You can send the help desk a message to gauge their speed in replying.
Or you can read online reviews to learn more about a casino based on other players’ experiences. Reviews also help you discover other aspects of the company, like its withdrawal speed and hidden charges.
Your Turn
If you want to have a good time playing casino games online, choose a top-rated website. Use the tips outlined above to find a casino you’ll love. Or read reviews to quicken the research process. All the same, settle for nothing but the best casinos in Canada.