Best New Online Casinos in Canada 2021
Because the internet is already brimming with gambling sites, new online casinos face a monumental task if they are to succeed. Yes, they must give a prospective player a good reason to sign up, but they also need to find ways to keep those virtual casino goers coming back.
What Defines a New Casino?
While there is no firm definition, it’s safe to loosely define a new casino site as one that has launched within the last year or so. And a lot of new online casinos have gone live throughout 2020 and into 2021.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Site to Play At
There are certain factors that you should examine if you want your online gambling experience to be as entertaining, rewarding, and safe as it can be. One of the biggest benefits of having so many new casinos to choose from is that you can simply go to another site if the one you’re at doesn’t meet your criteria. You don’t have to settle for the second best. Always consider the criteria outlined below.
Legality and Security
Rogue operators were a problem in the early days of online gambling. While a few bad apples still occasionally pop up, the industry is now so heavily regulated that it has become very difficult for these swindlers to ply their trade. They are certainly easy to spot. One sign of a legit new online casino is a license from a respected regulatory body such as:
These and many other regulatory agencies hold licensees to strict standards. They keep close tabs on both established and new online casinos to ensure those high standards are maintained.
Using the latest online security technology such as SSL encryption, firewalls, and anti-fraud teams are good signs that the site you’re looking at is legit. With the rise of internet fraud, you want to be sure your personal and financial details can’t be compromised. Many licensing authorities also require operators to keep their company funds separate from player funds which guarantee your money is always safe, secure, and available for withdrawal in full.
Game Quantity and Quality
You may come across a new online casino that has thousands of games. However, what if all of those games are slots and you prefer to play table games like Blackjack or Caribbean Stud? What if the site has the games you want to play, but they are poor quality and have sub-par payout rates? It’s one thing to have the games you like to play, but those games should be from industry-leading providers like:
These companies are just a few of the many software developers that produce the highest quality games. A lot of new casinos feature games from dozens of software providers, which means you’ll have access to quality, quantity, and variety.
Bonuses and Promotions
Almost all established and new online casinos have welcome bonuses because they are one of the most effective ways of attracting new players. There are some truly great sign-up bonuses out there, but a lot of them are all sizzle and no steak. Inexperienced players will often join a new casino simply based on the bonus amount. They are inevitably disappointed when they find out they must place C$4,000 worth of wagers or more just to collect a C$100 bonus. On top of that, they need to do it within seven days. It’s important to understand the bonus terms and other general rules so you can accurately assess the real value.
Payment Options
The best new online casinos have a payment solution for everyone. Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards are among the most commonly used options. EWallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal are also very popular, as are bank transfers and electronic transfer services like Interac and Instadebit. Even those with just the cash in their pockets can use a wire transfer service like Western Union to deposit and withdraw at many online casinos. Finding a convenient payment solution at new casinos shouldn’t be a problem. There are even sites that support cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple.
Mobile Compatibility
For the past several years, casino software developers have been designing their games with mobile users in mind. These games look, sound, and play as well on smaller mobile screens as they do on desktops.
While casino apps were all the rage a few years ago, they are almost a thing of the past as more and more online casinos simply offer a mobile platform. Instead of having to download a native app, you only need to have a mobile browser that supports HTML5. That covers pretty much all newer iOS and Android devices. With that said, having an app usually means you have access to a few more games.
Customer Service
Canadians demand top-notch customer service just like anybody else. A new casino that aspires to be one of the best has to have 24/7 support. Canadians should be able to use a live chat function or the telephone to get in touch with an agent at any hour of the day or night. While FAQ sections and other self-help options are normally quite informative, they don’t have the answers to everything. And who wants to wait for hours to get an email response?
New Casinos vs. Established Brands
Several online casinos have been around for 20 years or more. Many brands are recognized all over the planet and they have earned good reputations within the industry and with their client bases. You have probably at least heard of brands like:
They don’t need to dazzle you with glitzy bonuses because their reputations precede them, and their products speak for themselves. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give a new online casino a chance. It’s quite the opposite.
Many new online casinos are just as good, if not better, than those established brands. Some of the better new online casinos in Canada feature a larger and more diverse collection of games from the world’s top software providers. They have attractive bonuses and promotions that aren’t subject to such unreasonable conditions. Don’t discount an online casino just because it’s new. Make your decision based on the criteria laid out in this article.
Games at Recently Established Gaming Houses
Some new online casinos are little more than virtual slot halls. That can quickly get boring. The best new online casino sites offer an excellent assortment of games from leading software providers. In addition to having an array of slots, jackpot slots, and video poker, an internet casino should have:
Software Providers
As mentioned, many modern online casinos have partnered with dozens of software providers so that they can offer players more games and better variety. There are far too many reliable developers to mention here, but the games they create are becoming more and more innovative. For instance, Blueprint Gaming is the driving force behind the new wave of wildly popular Megaways games.
Evolution Gaming continues to set the standard for live dealer games. We wouldn’t have live games like Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal Live, or any of the other game show games without them. Then there’s Microgaming who has created hundreds of games over the past quarter-century. Not only that, but Microgaming was also a huge player in the creation of eCOGRA. Sites that boast the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal of Approval are telling you that their games are certified 100% fair.
Can I Play at New Canadian Online Casinos for Free
A lot of new online casinos let you play their games for free, although some require you to open an account first. This is a wonderful feature because you can get a feel for the interface and see first-hand how responsive and user-friendly the games are before you commit real money.
New Casino Bonus Offers and Promotions
Online casinos offer bonuses because they are an effective way to attract new players. Established brands have the edge because they already have customers, while the startups need to generate a client base. So, how does a new online casino not only attract new players but attract players from other sites? Well, they can offer bigger bonuses and player perks.
You cannot assess the true value of a welcome bonus is until you fully understand the terms. Aside from knowing the size of the bonus, you need to take a moment to look for those key rules such as:
Looking at these factors will give you an idea of how easy or hard it is to get that bonus cash into your hands.
Welcome Bonus
Let’s start with cash welcome bonuses because they are perhaps the most common type. The standard cash welcome bonus involves the new casino online matching a certain percentage of your first deposit amount. For instance, let’s say you see a 100% match welcome bonus up to C$1,000. You’d claim the new casino bonus, deposit C$100, and get C$100 in bonus cash. If you deposited C$1,000, you would receive the maximum C$1,000 bonus. Another example would be a 50% match deposit bonus up to C$500. A C$100 first deposit would net you C$50 in bonus cash, while a deposit of C$1,000 or more would earn you the maximum C$500 bonus.
Free Spins
It isn’t hard to find new casino free spin bonuses. With these, the operator will give you a certain number of free slot spins when you make your first deposit. In most cases, the number of free spins depends on your deposit amount. You may be able to use your free spins on any game, or you may be limited to playing a specific slot game. It varies from casino to casino. Generally, any money you win from your free spins is considered as bonus cash. Hence, you must wager through that bonus cash amount a certain number of times. Again, it varies.
An ideal new casino free spins offer will allow you to work toward the wagering requirements by playing any game. It will also make any winnings from those free spins available for withdrawal right away. While this particularly lax set of conditions is rare, it exists.
No-Deposit Bonus
No-deposit bonuses aren’t as prevalent as they used to be, but many sites still offer them. These offers merely require you to open a new account. New no-deposit casino offers are perfect for beginners because they give new players the chance to win real money without having to risk anything. You should know that these bonuses are usually a lot smaller than deposit bonuses. You’ll be lucky to find a new no deposit casino bonus worth more than C$10 or C$20. You will also often find the rules of no-deposit bonuses are a little tougher they are for deposit bonuses.
Loyalty Points and VIP Program
It’s easy to overlook loyalty points and VIP programs, but these schemes can earn players all sorts of rewards like:
While a lot of people tend to think that these programs only benefit high rollers, small-stake recreational players can benefit too. The idea is simple. You earn points every time you place a bet. You use those points to earn rewards such as free spins and cash while increasing your VIP ranking. This leads to more perks and bigger rewards. Finding a superior rewards program will greatly enhance your new online casino experience.
Mobile-Only Bonuses
Using mobile devices to play casino games online has become so popular that most sites are now mobile compatible. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find that isn’t. Mobile-only bonuses are commonly issued as free spins that must be used in the mobile casino. You can find them in the promotions section of your online casino or you can receive them via SMS alerts.
Other Possible Promotions
The best new online casinos offer much more than free spins and bonus cash. You should make sure that your new online casino offers cashback. It doesn’t matter if the cashback offer only applies to losses or if it applies to the amount you wager, it’s well worth taking advantage of. There are a few other promotions that you may come across, such as one in which you wager a minimum amount to receive free spins or Happy Hour-style promotions that reward you for playing during specified hours.
Payment Solutions
Your new online casino will present you with a safe, quick, and convenient way to deposit and withdraw funds. To recap, the most popular payment methods are:
One important thing to consider is that online casinos tend to require players to use the same method for deposits and withdrawals. However, this isn’t always possible. Most pre-paid cards and vouchers cannot accommodate withdrawals. In those cases, the new online casino will be happy to provide you with another fast and convenient withdrawal method.
Deposits
Most payment solutions facilitate instant deposits, although crypto deposits can take a few minutes to go through. Wire transfers can take anywhere from an hour to a couple of days to reach your betting account. Very few operators charge any fees for depositing, but your payment provider will likely ding you with a small transaction fee. Some credit card issuers charge cash-advance fees for deposits at online casinos.
Withdrawals
The best new online casino will process your withdrawal requests promptly. One of the benefits of using cryptocurrency is that withdrawals can take as little as a few minutes to process at some sites. Many new online casinos will process eWallet withdrawals within an hour, while others can take a couple of days. It could take three days or more if you use a credit/debit card or bank transfer and even longer if you ask for a wire transfer or cheque by mail. Whichever method you use, be sure to complete the KYC process before you ask for a withdrawal or you will almost certainly face delays.
New Mobile Casino Sites and Apps
Dozens of new online casinos have launched within the last year. While some of them should be avoided, there are quite a few that look very promising. They are licensed in one of the respected jurisdictions mentioned above, they have a vast array of provably fair games, and they start you off with a generous welcome bonus. They don’t all have apps, but their mobile platforms are excellent. Anyone looking for the best new online casino should check out these five new mobile casinos:
Blacklisted Casino Sites
There are many reasons why online casinos make it onto blacklists. Some of the main reasons are:
If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a new casino online, a quick internet search can shed a lot of light on things. Checking out some expert and player reviews can be quite illuminating. If you have any reservations, just move on to the next site. It is good practice to conduct a bit of research on the site’s owner. Several online casino conglomerates are synonymous with running bad sites. To be safe, avoid any site that is part of:
Between them, these companies operate over 100 online casinos. Doing a bit of research on these nefarious operators will give you a lot of insight as to why you should only play at sites that meet the criteria discussed in this article.
Show more Casinos