One of the biggest draws of online casinos in Canada is the possibility of winning cold hard cash.
When online casinos first started popping up in the 1990s, making payments online was still in its infancy. The first online casinos could only be played for fun. But the idea of winning real money eventually pushed developers like Microgaming to allow players to win real money.
By 1996 several gaming commissions across the globe had started issuing gaming licences. This led to better regulation and security for players, making online gaming more accessible for all.
Since then, Real Money online Casinos in Canada have grown from strength to strength. Several innovations in the field have led to a better gaming experience and more opportunities to play for real money. VR games, cryptocurrencies and Live Dealer have all changed the gaming landscape.
Real money casinos
- 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
Table of Contents
How to play for real money at an online casinos
If you want to stand the chance to actually win real money online instantly at casino you are going to need to at the very least create a casino account. There are several aspects that go into choosing a casino. At Bonus Ninja we do the work, so you don’t have to. We’ll review real online casinos in Canada and ensure that you’re playing experience isn’t only fun, but also safe. But more on that later.
Playing at online casinos for real money is really easy, just follow a couple of simple steps and you’ll be on your way to endless fun. Get lucky and you might even win big.
Signing up to a Real Money Casino
You’ve chosen your new casino and now you want to really get into it. The first thing you need to do is sign up for a casino account. Most online gambling sites that take real money in Canada have really stepped up their game when it comes to streamlining the sign-up process.
Generally, all you need to do is enter a few personal details including your name and email address. And agree to the terms and conditions.
At this point a few casinos will also allow you to try out one or two of their games for free to get a feel for the casino. This is a great way to make real money without making a deposit.
Making a deposit at a Real Money Casino
Although you might get lucky and win a bit of money via a no deposit bonus, you’ll need to make a deposit if you want to stand the chance of winning big.
Being able to make deposits quickly, easily and safely is one of the most important features to real online casino players. Safety is of course of paramount importance to most players, no one wants to hand over their hard earned cash unless they know it is secure. Not only that, but players want to be sure that their financial and personal information is secure and encrypted.
These are all factors that are important when deciding on your chosen casino.
Payment methods
In recent years casinos have come to understand how important variety is to their players. Players no longer need to settle for simple bank transfers or credit card payments. Pretty much any online payment option you can think of, will be offered at online casinos in Canada.
Some are offered almost universally, while others might be a little more obscure, but you are bound to find the right payment method for you.
Choosing your payment method might be based on several factors. For example, you might prefer an anonymous method such as a cryptocurrency. Other factors might be speed or cost.
Here’s what available and the various benefits and drawbacks of each method:
Credit and Debit Cards
This is still the most popular payment method available at online casinos. Visa, Master Card and Maestro are widely accepted at online casinos. Generally speaking, when you make a deposit via credit or debit card the money will be instantly available in your casino account. When you want to withdraw your winnings, it can take up to 3 days.
Usually, no fees are associated with credit cards. If an online casino does want to charge you for making deposits or withdrawals using this method you should see it as a red flag and steer clear.
Some banks in Canada have started to crack down on this payment method to try and curtail online gambling.
Bank Wire Transfer
An oldie, but a goodie. This method tends to take a little longer than other payment methods. When making a bank wire transfer, you’ll need to send instruction to your bank (which you can usually do at a branch, via telephone or online).
You’ll need to have the casinos banking details. One of the benefits of this method is that although the money will be directly transferred from your bank account, the casino won’t actually be able to see any of your banking or personal details if you don’t want them too. Chances are you’ll need to include some sort of reference number that helps the casino link the transferred amount to your casino account.
Instant Banking
When you make use of instant banking, you’ll use a third party intermediary to connect your banking details to your chosen casino site.
Instant Banking offers a fast, seamless way to make a deposit. There are several instant options available including eCheck, Interac Online, iDebit, Citadel and InPay. Instant banking is a popular trend in online casinos but also in financial services such as Prekredit.
When you make a deposit via instant banking, the money will instantly be available in your account. Making a withdrawal can take a little longer, while Interac and iDebit are instant, eCheck can take up to 7 days. So be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up to an instant banking option.
Fees also vary. While Interac and Citadel are free, if you want to move your funds from your bank to your iDebit account you’re going to be charged $2.
Pre-Paid Cards
Pre-Paid Cards are another relatively new option. This payment option includes Paysafecard, Neosurf and Revolut. This is pretty much the best option if you want don’t want to share any personal or financial information.
Pre-Paid Cards are usually purchased at retail outlets such as gas stations, convenience stores or newsstands. If you choose to buy a Pre-Paid Card using cash, you’ll leave zero financial trail.
Keep in mind though because a Pre-Paid Card can’t be linked to any sort of account, it’s not possible to make withdrawals with a pre-paid card. So, if you are determined to win real money playing at a casino, this may not be your best option.
eWallets
The best known eWallet is PayPal. Unfortunately, PayPal generally doesn’t allow payments to online casino sites. Luckily there are a number of eWallets that are available as payment options at Canadian Casinos including EcoPayz, Jeton, MuchBetter and WebMoney.
One drawback of using an eWallet is that some options won’t instantly be added to your casino account. Some eWallets also may incur an extra fee.
What’s great about an eWallet is that your financial information remains completely secure and protected by a third party.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies have become increasingly popular over recent years as a payment option at online casinos. There are actually even a few casinos that specialise in cryptocurrencies: either as their only payment method or by offering special bonuses for Cryptocurrency deposits.
The most obvious advantage of cryptocurrencies is the anonymity it affords. It’s also incredibly secure and generally allows for instant processing times both for deposits and withdrawals.
On the negative side it can seem a little complicated to new users. It’s also still quite volatile and can greatly vary in value from day to day.
Mobile Payment
Let’s face it, for better or worse we all pretty much live on our phones. They have become a part of our daily lives. Anything you might want to do at an online casino can be done on your mobile. That includes online payments. All the above payment methods can be done using your phone. But there is one more way you can make a payment that we haven’t discussed.
Did you know some online casinos even allow you to make payments through your mobile carrier? In Canada this payment method is supported by both Bell Canada and TELUS Mobility.
Casino games that you can play for real money
Pretty much any casino game available online is available to play for real money. Sometimes you can even download a real money casino app to make the best of the games.
Casino games have come a long way in the last few decades. Of course, the biggest change to casino games has been the online casino. No longer did you need to dress up, drive the casino and interact with other people. Now you can play from anywhere anytime.
Being online has meant that casinos could really expand. Without having the constraints of a physical building, online casinos can offer a much wider selection of games.
Several more recent innovations have also meant that there’s always something new on offer in casinos. Think Live Dealer, AR games and Megaways slots.
Real Casino Slots
No game comes with quite as much variety as the humble slot. Easy to play, simple to win and fun to spin. Over 70% of all online casino games fall into this category.
Online slots for real money are the digital counterpart of physical slot machines. Each slot has a set number of reels that generate a random combination of symbols. The more you manage to hit, the more you’ll win.
Games vary in theme and play. Popular themes include Vikings, space, candy and leprechauns. But whatever your interests, you are bound to find something that gets your heart pumping.
But nothing gets the blood flowing quite like a progressive jackpot. With a progressive jackpot every time anyone places a bet on the game a percentage of the bet goes to the jackpot. This grows until the jackpot is won. Some jackpots like Mega Moolah often hit the multi-million-dollar mark. Back in 2019, one lucky punter won over CA$20 million.
Table Games
Table games have been a staple since casinos first began several hundred years ago. Maybe it’s just the James Bond effect, but there’s always been an air of sophistication about table games.
The oldest casino still operating in the world is the legendary Casino di Venezia. Opening its doors in 1638, the first games offered were a basic lottery (birbi) and basetta. Basetta is one of the oldest known table games.
Originally these games could only be played by nobility. Although anyone was technically allowed into these old school casinos, the dress code and cost of wagering only allowed for the most elite of society to take part. Fortunately, table games have taken a much more relaxed atmosphere. This is especially thanks to games moving online and allowing for much lower wagering bet hand at table games.
But don’t worry you can still get the full James Bond gambling experience, right from the comfort of your couch.
Blackjack
Although the history of the first casino goes back to the 17th century, the game of Blackjack stretches back much, much further. Some believe it goes back as far back as ancient Rome. But Blackjack as we know it now was probably started in French Casino of the 1700s.
The objective of the game is to beat the dealer. This means you’ll need to score higher than the dealer, without going over 21.
There are a variety of versions of Blackjack that can be played for real money. But it all comes down to the same thing. Try to get your cards as close to 21 as possible. Go over and you’ll bust, allow the dealer to get more and you’ll lose. Hit 21 on the first deal and you’ll have Blackjack.
Roulette
This history of Roulette is a little more known. It was actually all about physics. Back in the 17th century, Blaise Pascal, a well know physicist and mathematician of the time wanted to create a perpetual motion machine. He failed quite miserably, but his failure created the first Roulette. Talk about serendipity!
Roulette is one of those special games that offers a really high Return to Player (RTP), or on the flip side a very low house edge. Although casinos still have a bit of an edge when winning, if you play smart, you might just stand the chance of making real money when playing this game.
Craps
For those who aren’t familiar with this exciting dice game, the name might be just a little confusing. There’s nothing bad about it. Although you might think that a dice game is super simple, craps is actually fairly complex.
To play Craps the first thing you need to do is decide what type of bet you want to place. There are several bets you can make, and this is where things get a little complicated. You can place a Pass Line Bet, a Come Bet, a Don’t Pass Bet, a Bet on Point numbers, a bet on Place Bets or a bet on The Field. There are also a few long shot bets. It’s unlikely you’ll hit them, but you’ll win proper cash if you do. These bets include Big Red, Any Craps, C&E and Proposition Bets.
We’ve actually got an entire page dedicated to this exciting game, if you want to learn a little more.
Baccarat
Another classic casino card game. Baccarat is a relatively simple card game where the object of the game is to get as close to nine without going over.
You might be surprised to learn that Baccarat is actually the most popular casino game in the world. Take a trip to Macau and you’ll find out why. It’s the most popular casino spot in the world out-ranking Las Vegas for more than a decade. And also a spot where Baccarat accounts to over 88% of the earning of the glitzy city.
One of the reasons Baccarat is so popular is because it has a low house edge. Meaning that even though the game is still slightly skewed towards the casino, you have a better chance of winning than you do when playing other games.
Video Poker
Video Poker is a really special game. It manages to combine some of the best aspects of both table games and slots. And it’s no surprise from its name that there is a fair amount of Poker thrown in too.
The game features the speed of slots, the rules of poker and the strategy of table games. Video Poker has actually been around for much longer than you might think. The first Video Poker game offered mechanical wheels and was released all the way back in 1891.
Obviously, the game has come a far way since then, and there are no several different variants available both online and at physical casino. And of course, the best thing about Video Poker is the ability to win real money.
Speciality Games
Not all games fit into a neat little box, some games defy simple definitions. So, let’s call these unique little unicorns, Speciality Games.
Keno
Keno is probably the oldest game offered in casinos today. It has literally been around for thousands of years, spanning all the way to the Han Dynasty of ancient China. Like a few other casino games, the game was started as a sort of lottery to help raise the money for public funds. Some say it was even used years later to help fund the building of the Great Wall of China.
To play Keno you simply need to buy a card. If you want to play for real money, you’ll need buy the card with real money. But luckily, it’s one of those games that is relatively cheap and allows you the chance of winning a huge reward. Prizes can be as high as $200,000.
On your Keno card you’ll find 80 numbers over 9 rows. Simply pick your numbers and you bet, and you’re good to go.
Bingo
If you are looking for a fun sociable way to win real money, then Bingo might be the right game for you. After you’ve decided where you want to play Bingo, playing is really easy. Simply purchase a card and you’re good to go.
Balls are chosen by a Random Number Generator and the objective is to match with numbers on your card. Win by matching a row of numbers, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. There are also a special patterns you can hit that will also earn you a reward. Cover the whole board and you’ll win big.
What really sets Bingo apart is the social aspect. While you are waiting to hit your numbers, you can chat to other players.
Live Dealer
Nothing helps you feel more like you are playing in a physical casino than Live Dealer. Enter the Live Casino and you’ll be able to play for real money at real tables, with real dealers. Right from the comfort of your couch. You can even interact with other players and the dealers themselves.
You can play a big variety of games at a Live Casino. Roulette and Blackjack are the most popular, but you can also play unique Live Dealer games like Dream Catcher and Crazy Time. Both will make you feel like you are a contestant on an exciting game show.
Finding a trustworthy Real Money Casino
If you are going to wager your hard-earned money, you want to be sure that your money is safe. There are plenty of safe and trustworthy real money casinos out there, but sadly there are a few less than savoury sites out there, too. Stick with us and we’ll let you know which sites are trustworthy.
There are a few more things to look out for to ensure your safety online.
Physical cues
There is a reason companies spend millions on marketing, and branding is just one of them. What you see is what you get is one of those old adages. That being said it’s one that that holds true.
You might not even notice this one, but online businesses like casinos spend a fair amount of money on the appearance of their websites. Having a website that runs smoothly and looks good is a fair clue that it’s a top online casino that accepts real money and is legit.
Regulation
In order for an online casino to operate legally they must have a licence from a reputable governing body. You can usually find out which licence an online casino has by scrolling to the bottom of their home page.
The biggest regulator of online casinos in Canada is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. But there are other regulators that are just as trustworthy such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the Gambling Commission in the UK.
Encryption
For an online casino to be truly secure you need to know that they will do everything they can to protect you personal and financial information. Usually, online casinos use the highest levels of SSL encryption to keep this data safe.
A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) creates an encrypted connection and is essential to any internet site that offers deposits and withdrawals.
Game providers and variety
When all else fails, one way to work out the quality of a casino is to look at the game variety. Online Casinos need to pay for their use of casino games. Reputable game providers generally won’t go into partnership with disreputable casinos, was their own reputation will be put at risk. If a casino tends to provide games from the better-known game studios, chances are the casino itself is relatively trustworthy.
Strategies to making real money at an online casino
The whole idea of making real money at an online casino might seem like a pipe dream. But it is actually possible. Of course, you need to keep in mind that the element of luck plays a massive part. But if you play smart and follow a few of these tips… who knows? You might just win big.
Making money without making a deposit
If you want to avoid any real risk, your best chance is to take advantage of an online casino real money no deposit bonus in Canada. When you sign up for many casinos, they give you the chance to enjoy a bonus and get a feel for the casino without needing to make a deposit. So, you can play free online games to win real money without making a deposit.
Usually, this bonus is in the form of Free Spins. If you get lucky, you’ll win real money and be able to withdraw money. You’ll earn this money risk free.
Pay attention to RTP
What is RTP? Quite simply it’s the Return to Player. Making it the counterpart of the house edge. As a player you ideally want a higher RTP. The RTP of a game is worked out over thousands of games, the idea being that the RTP percentage gives a player a good concept of how likely it is that they will win.
Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpots are positive to both online casinos and their players. Every time that someone wagers on a specific progressive jackpot a small percentage of the wager will be added to the jackpot.
Some progressive jackpots can edge into the multi-million-dollar mark. What’s lovely about a progressive jackpot is that it increases by the moment. Recently there have even been progressive jackpots that have hit over $20 million dollars.
It might not be likely to hit this one, but if you do, you can win a truly life changing amount.
Take advantage of bonuses
Casinos want players to stick around. One of the most attractive promotions a casino can offer a customer are bonuses. It’s not always so easy to make money off a bonus, but it is possible. Bonuses can vary from Welcome Bonuses to Free Spins. There’s always something up for grabs at any worthwhile online casino in Canada where you can play for real money.
Frequently asked questions
You sure can. Of course, it’s a gamble, you could also lose money. It all comes down to a combination of luck and strategy.
No, they aren’t. As long as you play at a reputable casino you can rest assured that the games are completely random. Game developers include Random Number Generators into all online games to ensure that each spin, roll or deal is completely random.
You can win real money on pretty much any casino game. However, some games give you a slightly better chance of winning then others. For example, it is generally easier to win real money on table games than it is to win on slots. Keep in mind that this does depend on playing a game using perfect strategy, so be sure that you understand the game you are playing before you wager your hard-earned cash.
Reputable online casinos go to great lengths to protect your personal and financial information. In fact, it is as much in their interest as it is yours. They generally use SSL encryption technology which is the same as used by financial and banking institutions.
Because of the costs of Live Dealer, it is pretty much unheard of to find this type of casino game available for free. The games generally offer a high RTP meaning that you actually have a better chance of winning if you play using perfect game strategy. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, but even if you don’t win real money along the way you are bound to have lots of fun.
Summary
Although there is lots of fun to be had by playing casino games online for free, the real thrill really starts when you start playing for real money. There are a variety of ways to win real money by playing casino games. If you are lucky you can start making money before you even make your first deposit. With the variety of real money games available you are bound to find something that gets your heart pumping.
Stick with Bonus Ninja and we’ll let you know which games to play and where to play them if you want to stand the best chance of winning big!