Online casinos in Canada are growing in popularity by the day. Search results for online casinos have recently hit an all-time high. The industry is booming. Every day there are new games, created by new development studios offering games to new casinos. All created to attract you as a customer. The competition for a share of your wallet is huge.
One of the biggest ways that casinos attract new players, get current ones to play more and reward loyal ones is by offering them great Casino Bonuses. If you are new to casinos, you may be wondering what a Casino Bonus is.
As we have already suggested a Casino Bonus is used as an incentive to keep players interested in a casino. It’s a reward for actions taken by a player.
The action required varies. The casino may ask you to make a deposit, wager a specific amount on a type of game, take a set amount of spins on particular slot or log-in at a required time.
The rewards are also wide-ranging. Amongst them are: Casino Bonuses, Free Spins, Free Bets and cold hard cash.
Read on to find out more.
- Fully Canadian-owned
- Live dealer gaming options
- Multi-faceted sports betting library
- Super organized dashboard
- Comprehensive help centre
- Website: https://www.northstarbets.ca/
- Customer support: support@northstarbets.ca
- Founded: 2022
- Languages: English
- No wagering requirements
- More than 2,800 casino games
- Mobile-friendly website
- Website: www.playojo.ca
- Customer support: support@playojo.ca
- Founded: 2017
- License: UK Gambling Commission
- Languages: English
- Over 1,600 of the best slots and table games
- 24/7 customer support
- Online Casino of the Year winner!
- Website: www.leovegas.com
- Customer support: support@leovegas.com
- Founded: 2012
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Danish Gambling Authority, Swedish Gambling Authority
- Languages: English, Swedish, Finnish
- Generous loyalty program
- 600+ casino games
- Numerous poker varieties
- Website: www.on.pokerstarscasino.ca
- Founded: 2015
- License: Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Swedish Gambling Authority, UK Gambling Commission
- Languages: English
- Over 1500 games
- VIP Club with a Salon Privé for Elite Players
- Fantastic mobile version
- Recommended by Bonusninja!
- Super simple and easy to use
- Great variety of games
- Over 3000 games!
- David Hasselhoff as ambassador!
- Good live casino
- User-friendly mobile interface
- Game library of over 1000+ games
- Amazing loyalty program
- Website: https://www.wildz.com/ca
- Customer support: support@wildz.com
- Founded: 2019
- License: Malta Gaming Authority
- Languages: English, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Japanese
- Over 550 casino games
- Five deposit bonuses
- Mobile-friendly website
- Website: https://goldentiger.casino/en/
- Customer support: support@crhelpdesk.com
- Founded: 2001
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- Languages: English, German
- Large variety of bonuses
- 40+ megaways slots
- Mobile casino apps
- Website: https://www.comeoncasino.com/ca/
- Customer support: support@comeon.com
- Founded: 2008
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, Swedish Gambling Authority, Curacao
- Languages: English, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, German
- 550+ casino games
- Excellent safety features
- 15+ payment methods
- Website: https://captaincooks.casino/en/
- Customer support: support@crhelpdesk.com
- Founded: 1999
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission
- Languages: English, German
- Over 500 games
- 24/7 customer support
- Cool Mega Wheel
- 24/7 customer support
- Clear and easy to use
- Great variety of games
- 550+ top-notch games
- Live dealer gaming options
- Multiple payment methods
- 24/7 customer support centre
- Website: https://luxury.casino/en/
- Customer support: support@crhelpdesk.com
- Founded: 2001
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission
- Languages: English, German
- Over 500 games
- 24/7 customer support
- Cool Mega Wheel
- 550+ casino games
- Mobile-friendly
- Great casino rewards program
- Website: https://casinoclassic.casino/en/
- Customer support: support@crhelpdesk.com
- Founded: 1999
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission
- Progressive jackpots available
- 24/7 support via chat, phone, and email
- Over 1000+ games to choose from
- Website: https://ca.unibet.com/
- Customer support: info@unibet.com
- Founded: 1997
- License: Swedish Gambling Authority, Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission
- Languages: English, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Greek, Danish
- Good variety of deposit methods
- Stunning live casino
- Awesome customer support
- Website: https://ca.888casino.com/
- Customer support: support@888.com
- Founded: 1997
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
- Languages: English, Finnish, Arabic, Japanese, German
- Games selection of 800, from the best game providers
- Multiple payment methods
- Helpful customer service
- Website: https://www.gate777.com/
- Customer support: support@gate777.com
- Founded: 2018
- License: Malta Gaming Authority, Swedish Gambling Authority, UK Gambling Commission
- Languages: English, German, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
New Casino Bonuses
As soon as you join a new casino, it’s a good idea to know the basics. This is important, not only if your long-time plan is to actually win any money, but also just to get started. There are a few things you’ll need to do once you sign up for a new casino.
One of the first things you’ll need to decide is what sort of Welcome Bonus is the right one for you. Welcome Bonuses are designed to encourage new customers to sign-up to a casino, make a deposit and ultimately become loyal customers.
Bonuses can be offered at different steps during the sign-up process. Some Casinos offer a small bonus simply for signing up. But pretty much every online casino in the world will offer a Reload Bonus the first time a customer makes a deposit.
It’s a good idea to read our casino reviews to help you make the correct choice in terms of what casino would be best for you. One of the main things we look at when reviewing our casinos are their Welcome Bonuses. Here’s what you might find on offer:
No Deposit Welcome Bonus
When searching for Welcome Bonuses, you’ll have no problem finding an online casino deposit bonus. Finding No Deposit Welcome Bonuses can be a little trickier. Luckily, they are becoming more popular.
Casinos have realized that offering this sort of reward encourages people to sign-up and try a casino before parting with their hard-earned cash. With a No Deposit Welcome Bonus you can get a feel for the casino and their game offering. If a casino really is as good as it says it is, there is no drawback in offering something to incentivise a new customer for the simple action of signing up.
More often than not a No Deposit Welcome Bonus is given in the form of Free Spins. Free Spins can be given on a number of games, or just a single slot game. You’ll most likely qualify for 5 to 15 Free Spins. If you lose them, you haven’t really lost anything. If you win, you can keep your winnings. Your winnings may come with the catch of wagering requirements. But more on that later.
Welcome Deposit Bonus
If you want to make real money at an online casino, you are going to need to make a deposit. Luckily for you, pretty much any worthwhile casino will offer you a deposit bonus the first time you make a deposit.
Welcome Deposit Bonuses vary greatly amongst Canadian Casinos. Casinos have been known to offer varied percentage bonuses. They may match your deposit for a 100% Deposit Bonus, double your deposit for a 200% Deposit Bonus or if you are really lucky, a casino might triple your bonus for a 300% Deposit Bonus.
In order to activate this reward, you’ll need to make your first deposit. As a reward you’ll get extra money to play with. This extra money will be given to you in the form of a bonus and the amount depends on the terms of the bonus.
Deposit Bonus almost always have a limit. So, in terms of a welcome bonus, you might qualify for 200% up to CA$200. That means that if you make a deposit of CA$100, you’ll get a CA$200 bonus, leaving you with CA$300 to play with.
Again, keep in mind that the bonus comes wagering requirements.
We’ll tell you more about Deposit Bonuses as we go on.
Bitcoin Deposit Bonus
Making deposits via Bitcoin at online casinos is becoming more and more popular. Bitcoin offers players a number of benefits as a payment method including quick payments, added security and protection of personal and financial information.
There are also benefits to casinos, and because of this several Canadian casinos offer special bonuses for players who make deposits via Bitcoin.
Usually this bonus is a variation on their regular Welcome Bonus but with a little something extra. Either the bonus limit will be higher, or for a higher percentage. Perhaps there will be extra Free Spins.
Whatever the offer, if you have Bitcoin, it might be worth your while to use it to fund your account and enjoy the reward and extra benefits.
Multi-Tiered Welcome Bonus
More and more Casinos are offering Multi-Tiered Welcome Bonuses. With this sort of bonus, you won’t only get one Welcome Bonus, but rather multiple ones, usually split over your first few deposits. Usually it is split over the first three to five deposits and on some occasions, many more after that. We have even seen a few that are available for every deposit you make as long as you accept it.
Each step of the bonus might offer something a little different. Usually the first offer is the most generous. But really, it varies from casino to casino.
For example, a Canadian casino may offer a Welcome Bonus that looks a little something like this:
- 1st Deposit: Get a 100% Reload Bonus up to CA$250
- 2nd Deposit: Get a 50% Reload Bonus up to CA$200
- 3rd Deposit: Get a 50% Reload Bonus up to CA$100
- 4th Deposit: Get a 25% Reload Bonus up to CA$200
In this case if you make all deposits up to the maximum bonus, you’ll have $750 to play with in the form of bonuses. To claim that you’ll need to make a deposit of $1,650 ($250+$400+$200+$800), that will give you a total of $2,400 to play with for joining the casino.
Usually you’ll need to finish playing through a deposit before moving on to the next. But it’s nice to know you’ll get a little something extra on your next deposit.
Combination Welcome Bonus
You might think that a Multi-Tiered Welcome Bonus is as good as it gets, but some casinos offer you something on top of that. Usually, this added treat will come in the form of Free Spins. The Free Spins can be made available on a specific game, or sometimes on games from a specific game studio. Very occasionally you can use your Free Spins on any slot game. Although the truth is told, this is incredibly rare.
These Free Spins can be added to a straight ‘one deposit Welcome Deposit Bonus’ or it can be added to each of the bonuses that make up a Multi-Tiered Welcome Bonus.
It’s there as a nice little bit of extra fun to help you get a feel for the casino after making your first deposit.
The other benefit of Free Spins is that they give you the opportunity to try a new game. Sometimes extra Free Spins are offered on the very popular games, such as Starburst. But sometimes they will be awarded on obscure titles. Something you might never have played before. If that is the case you might just find a new favourite.
High-Roller Welcome Bonus
To benefit from huge casino bonuses your best bet is to start climbing the VIP ladder. A few casinos even offer High-Roller Welcome bonuses for players who mean business when it comes to online gambling.
This one isn’t for the faint hearted. It usually requires a serious deposit. Usually in the amount of at least CA$500. It’s not offered by all casinos, but if this is your big chance, so you might want to take advantage of it if you happen to spot one at a popular casino.
One of the benefits of this sort of bonus is that it often comes with considerably more favourably wagering requirements. Making such a large deposit will also help you shoot up the loyalty ladder and reach a higher VIP level.
Different types of Online Casino Bonuses
Online Casino Bonuses come in all shapes and sizes. We’ve told you about what’s on offer when you first join a casino. But let’s face it, that’s not what keeps you coming back to a casino. When you join a casino, you want to know that there is always something new on offer.
Casinos tend to run regular promotions to reward and keep their customers. Most at least offer something new once a week. Some might even offer something every day.
On top of these regular offers, casinos also run special promotions relating to holidays or special events. Christmas time is an especially important time for casinos, and most will properly amp up their promotional offering. Usually, they put together a Christmas calendar where you can benefit from something new every day leading up to Christmas.
So, what might you hope to receive?
Percentage Reload Bonus
If you want to benefit from big casino bonuses, then your best bet is to make a deposit and grab a Reload (or Deposit) Bonus. A Reload Bonus affords you the right to take advantage of a bonus matched (by a percentage) to your deposit.
Deposit or Reload Bonuses are rewarded to customers as an incentive to make a deposit. Reload Bonuses are usually rewarded as a percentage of your deposit. It generally ranges from 25% to 300%. The most common Reload Bonuses offered to customers are 50%, up to 100%.
We’ve spoken about Deposit Bonuses before, but how do they work? Simply put, a customer makes a deposit and as a bonus you are rewarded with a bonus as a percentage of your deposit.
Say for example you accept a 50% Deposit Bonus up to CA$100. You’ll need to make a CA$200 deposit to claim the full reward. For an explanation of wagering requirements, see below.
Bitcoin Bonuses
We’ve already touched on the benefit of using Bitcoin as a beneficial deposit method. But let us reiterate. Making deposits via Bitcoin can be massively beneficial. Not only will you be able to claim greater percentage amounts for your Deposit Bonus, but chances are you will also benefit from a higher reload limit and better wagering requirements.
Bitcoin isn’t for everyone, but it’s great for players who are that way inclined. Many people believe that Bitcoin is a very complicated payment method. But once you get the hang of it, it is no more complicated than other payment methods. It also has the added perk of being completely secure and adding an extra layer of security and protection of your personal information.
Free Spins
About a decade ago Free Spins were only offered to the best VIP players. As a regular customer this was not a bonus you were likely to be able to benefit from. Times have changed though. Free Spins are used for a variety of reasons. Some are rewarded to new players; others may be given as a gift for making a deposit. On top of that you might be given Free Spins as a reward for reaching a new VIP level.
The most common reason to reward Free Spins is to keep customers interested in your casino. The more you play, the more valuable you are to a casino.
When receiving Free Spins, a customer will get a set amount. Usually in a multiple of five. However, there are times for where the number of Free Spins can be more specific. For example, online casinos often celebrate their own birthdays. When they do, it’s usually by rewarding a Free Spin for each year they have been around.
Keep in mind that generally speaking, winnings from Free Spins must be wagered a set amount of time before they can be withdrawn or transferred to another product.
Free Bets
Free Spins are by far the darling of Casino Bonuses. They are the way casinos go for a number of reasons. Through Free Spins you get the unique opportunity to try some of the most popular games in the world.
To set themselves apart from the rest, casinos may offer something special to their casino players -usually a Casino Bonus is rewarded for making a deposit. If you are lucky you might just benefit from a Free Bet.
So, what makes a Free Bet special? Simply put, a Free Bet in the casino gives you the opportunity to place a bet on a casino game without having to worry about the risk.
Free Bets usually come with a set of specific terms. These terms relate to the maximum bonus amount, where the bet can be played, and when the bonus must be played by.
At the end of the day a Free Bet gives you the chance to place a real money bet on a set game without any risk to themselves.
Sometimes knowns as a Risk Free Bet, this one is definitely one to take advantage of. Occasionally you’ll even receive a Free Bet with no wagering requirements attached. So, if you place your bet and win, you are free to withdraw the winnings immediately.
Free Bets are usually offered on table games, which might be why they are rare. But if you do happen to find one, we definitely recommend you take advantage. As always, just have a quite peruse of the terms and conditions before digging in.
Cashback Bonuses
Casinos are always very careful on the wording of Cashback Bonuses. At it’s core a Cashback Bonus is given on losses. Obviously, casinos don’t want to highlight that a customer can lose. But let’s face it, in a world where the house always wins, it’s not a surprise that casinos might want to offer something special to customers who might lose.
So, in essence, a Cashback Bonus is a losses-back bonus. Win or lose, you’ll be given something based on your losses.
Cashback Bonuses are sometimes rewarded as percentage. Sometimes they are given as a bonus. But the Cashback Bonus you really want to look out for is one with a high percentage offering cash. This may be rare, but if you happened to find a Canadian casino that offers it, rest assured you have found the casino unicorn.
Referral Bonuses
A few years ago, this was a massively popular bonus. Recently it is quite rare to find a casino that neglects regular casino players. That being said, every day, new players discover the thrill of new casino games.
What does this have to do with Referral Bonuses? On the surface, nothing. Dig a little deeper and you will find the truth. Word of Mouth is a truly powerful referral device.
If you truly respect, admire or are interested in an individual, chances are you might want to emulate them. If you want to back the high rollers in the casino world, you need to put your money where your heart is. Trust your friends, trust their opinions.
VIP Bonuses
To join a loyalty program simply make a deposit and start playing. Most casinos take into account all the deposits you make and how much you wager on the different casino games.
At some casinos you will start your journey on the VIP ladder as soon as you make your first deposit. They publish how many points you need to earn to move up a level. Other casinos aren’t as transparent about their method; they still take your deposits and wagering into account, but they don’t actually post the VIP levels online. In the case of such a VIP programme you need to be invited to join.
One of the major benefits of climbing up the loyalty ladder is being able to benefit from better bonuses. Every new level gives you bigger bonuses, often with better bonus terms and wagering requirements.
Prizes and cash rewards
Casinos run regular promotions to entice customers to play more. One of the best examples of this kind of promotion is a tournament. Tournaments give players the opportunity to compete with one another.
Usually a tournament will have a set requirement. You need to wager, or your need to make deposit, or you might need to take as many spins as you can on a specific game or a type of game.
Reward for tournaments differ, usually there is a leaderboard. It can be based on points earned by players or randomly rewarded.
The prizepool of tournament usually includes a variety of rewards. You might get Free Bets, Casino Bonuses, Free Spins, Deposit Bonuses, cash rewards and special prizes. Special prizes can include concert tickets, special meals, the newest technology and exotic vacations.
When to claim a Casino Bonus
It’s always a good idea to claim a Casinos Welcome Bonus. Usually this bonus has relatively good terms, high percentages and a little something extra to keep you keen. After that casinos generally offer regular rewards. They can be weekly or during specific holiday periods. So, when is it worthwhile to take a Casino Bonus?
Generally, it’s always a good idea to check a bonus’ terms and conditions. If it seems they are fair, that is probably a good time to accept a bonus. Some bonuses also come with no risk. For example, if you join a tournament, you might win a Free Bet, cash or a special prize. In this case all you need to do is play as you normally would and with any luck, you’ll climb the leaderboard.
Another great time to claim Casino Bonuses is during the Christmas period. Casinos often budget huge amounts for this time of year. That means you might be able to benefit from a new bonus every day.
How to claim a Casino Bonus
To make your first deposit, you’ll need to first sign up to the casino. If you took advantage of the No Deposit Welcome Bonus, you may already have done this.
After that all you need to do is make a deposit. Once you have logged into your new account it should be easy to find the banking tab or button. Simply click on it, pick your deposit method and choose the amount you want to deposit.
While making your deposit you may be asked to click a box stating that you want to activate your bonus.
Almost every Casino Bonus comes attached with Wagering Requirements. This means that even if you win while using your bonus, you will need to play your winnings through a set amount of times before withdrawing your winnings.
So, is it actually possible to win real money using a casino bonus? It’s tricky, but yes you can. One of the most important factors are the wagering requirements. If it is low, you will have a better chance of actually seeing your winning after your wagering. If the requirements are very high, your chances are greatly diminished.
While wagering you’ll also have better chances if you play on games that carry a 100% game contribution. It’s true that these games tend to have lower RTPs, but games with RTPs need to be wagered way too much to actually be feasible.
Casino Bonus Codes
At most casinos, all you need to do to claim your bonus is to click on a special box when making your deposit. The box is usually labelled something like “accept the bonus”, “grab your bonus” or “claim bonus”.
Different casinos work on different back ends. Not all casinos can simply make a bonus automatic. Some casinos may require that you make your deposit and enter a Bonus Code.
Bonus Codes can be used throughout your customer journey. Occasionally you might receive special bonus code that relate to a specific bonus, or even a VIP reward. Remember to enter the code to claim your reward.
Most frequently asked questions
In basic terms, wagering requirements prove that there really is no such thing as a free lunch. Wagering requirements are placed on bonuses. Bonuses aren’t just free money but need to be played through on casino games a set amount of times,
For example, if you are given a CA$50 Casino Bonus with a 30x wagering you’ll need to wager at least CA$1,500 on casino games before you can withdraw or transfer any winnings.
Welcome Bonuses are a special type of reward offered by a casino to entice a new player to join a casino and make a deposit. The rewards on offer vary, but usually consist of Free Spins, Deposit Bonuses, Casino Bonuses or a combination.
Not every game in a casino counts the same when wagering through your bonus. Generally, slot games count the most, counting 100% towards your wagering requirements. Video Poker, Roulette and Blackjack usually contribute a much lower percentage to your wagering. There are also several games that don’t count at all when trying to wager your bonus through. Examples include Live Dealer games and games with a very high RTP.
Free Spins are rewarded on slot games. Generally, you will be given a set amount of Free Spins on a specific game. Free Spins are sometimes linked to deposits, but occasionally you will receive them simply for signing up or for merely being a customer. Basically, all that means is that you can play a slot game for a specific amount of spins at no expense to yourself.
Usually not. Most casinos require that you complete wagering through a bonus before accepting the next bonus. Even if you are allowed to accept a new bonus, the wagering requirements will stay in place.
Summary
Casino Bonuses come in all shapes and sizes they are truly varied. Starting your casino journey, your first step is to claim a welcome bonus. If you are lucky, you might find a casino that offers something without needing to make a deposit. You’ll usually get this in the form of Free Spins. After that you can claim a Deposit Bonus, or maybe even a whole set of Deposit Bonuses.
Once you get into the swing of things, the bonuses keep coming. You can join tournaments, climb the VIP ladder or claim regular Free Spins.
Not sure what Casino to join? No problem, we take pride in researching loads of online casinos and what they have to offer. Simply check out a review and find one that best represents what you are looking for. Hopefully your chosen casino will also come with a great set of bonuses to keep you coming back for more.