Compared to other parts of the world, finding an online casino in Canada is quite unique. The United States attempted to halt all internet gambling either due to a taxation and regulation issue or to protect the interests of land based Las Vegas corporations. In Europe, countries such as France and the United Kingdom, which have traditionally had a significant influence on Canada policies, have made Internet gambling legal and regulated the industry. There are several Canadian provinces that offer residents a casino online, where you can play for free, as well as for real money. British Columbia and Quebec were the first provinces to introducing online gambling, but other provinces continue to review the opportunity while others such as Nova Scotia's premier has decided against it. Regardless of a province's position on the matter, the level of competition in the international landscape offers a wider variety of games and more competitive free bonuses than any provincial casino.

Top Casino Software Providers for Canadians

While many are drawn to a new casino online because of how it looks or the free signup bonus, the bottom line is that the best brands in Canada are supported by the best online casino software in the world. It's important to note that the marketing and management that occurs behind the scenes should never be discounted either; in fact, this factor is the most intangible and undervalued aspect of every operation. Back to focus - it is the software developers that delivers the product -the quality and variety of games for players to play. They also set up the security framework that ensures a Canadian casino player's financial and personal information are totally secure. There are in excess of 50 software providers, but only a few of them are the best of the best and worthy of a feature presentation here.

Microgaming Casino Software - One of the first software providers in the industry, Microgaming introduced Gaming Club in 1994 as its first licensee making it the first online casino in Canada and around the world. Microgaming is not only one of the first Internet software platforms, but they take pride in the fact that they have remained very innovative over the years. They consistently release fun new online slots games, multi-player products such as online slots tournaments known as slots freerolls as well as blackjack tournaments. Microgaming has almost 500 games in their portfolio that you can play by in the download casino software or in the no download, instant flash version. Moreover, Microgaming casinos were the first to give special preference to Canada's online casino players by introducing the CAD option instead of having to wager in USD. Any Microgaming casino is one of the highest recommended on our site however, we personally recommend Jackpot City, Royal Vegas, All Slots and Go Wild are the best in Canada.

Playtech Casino Software - One of the newest software developers recommended here, Playtech powers games with fantastic graphics as well as an impressive selection of Hollywood movie-themed slots games. Now a publicly traded company in the UK, Playtech was established in 2000 and they now have in excess of 300 games that you can download for free. Players that have a Mac or do not want to download any software they can still play an impressive list of games. Playtech offers great live casino games that have live dealers for the games of live blackjack, live roulette, and live dealer baccarat. They also have proprietary games like Blackjack Switch and 3D Roulette that are a couple of their more popular games. Leading Playtech operators include Casino Tropez, Winner Casino, Bet365 and Windows Casino.

Net Entertainment (Net Ent) Casino Software - Commonly referred to by its abbreviation NetEnt, Net Entertainment is another provider that is publicly traded and it done so on the Swedish NASDAQ. They are company from Sweden that gambled and created their games using the Java applet. This paid off for them and they now have some of the most exciting and interactive games that you can find at a Canada casino online. The NetEnt casino software developers have created incredible 3D slots games such as Boom Brothers, Alice's Wonderland, Gonzo's Quest, and Robin Hood. Canadian casino players may not be as familiar with NetEnt software products, but they are among the best in the world. Most operators target the European customer, but Mybet, Casino Luck and especially Tropezia Palace cater to the international community.

Real Time Gaming (RTG) Casino Software - RealTime Gaming (RTG) is one of the more popular casino software providers and they were established back in 1998. They relocated to Costa Rica back in 2007 when Hastings International bought them. The American market is who they mainly cater to, but RTG games can still be played for CAD at select Real Time Gaming operators which is a clear benefit to players in Canada. Many people that play at a Canadian online casino want a product that is easy to use and understand. This software is well known for both. RTG is known for their solid selection of video poker games and online video poker tournaments. They have around 200 games that can be played for free or real money and they can be downloaded or you can also play them without having to download any software. Although there are a ton of RealTime Gaming operators, Bodog Casino and Winpalace are superior market leaders that feature.

Types of Casino Games

Online casino lobbies are brimming with diverse game types, and getting a grasp of the gaming options is necessary for getting the most out of a casino site visit. The standard lineup of games includes slots, table games, video poker, live dealer games, bingo, and scratch cards. Every game offers real money prizes, although some operators offer demo versions allowing registered members to play for free and learn the gameplay mechanics before making a real money bet.

No matter the game's format, every software developer is obligated to be transparent and reveal the RTP for its games. The RTP is an acronym for return to players and is represented as a percentage, indicating what percentage of bets is paid back to players. This is a mathematical model calculated over millions of bets. Slots are the most numerous games in operators' game libraries. Players can spin the reels with symbols inspired by various themes.

The dominant reel configuration is 5 reels, although classic 3 reel games are available, and the number of paylines can vary from 10 up to 25. Different in-game bonus features infuse games with more fun, and the jackpots can be a fixed amount or continually growing as in progressive jackpots.

Table games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat come in two forms: RNG titles or live dealers. The RNG acronym means the outcome of every hand is determined by a random numbers generator, an algorithm also used in slots. Most platforms prefer to gravitate towards one type of table game as the most numerous option, and the best online roulette casinos offer the most diversity.

The alternative live dealer games are hosted by real croupiers, with tables streamed live to a player device. Players should always overview the rules of a given game before starting a gaming session.

Online Gambling in Canada

In the last 5-10 years no other Internet industry has seen much growth as the Internet casino industry. In the 1990's, the industry did not start off with an instant bang, but the buzz grew and more people began looking on search engines like Google for an online casino Canada. Since then, the industry has grown much more than was expected: casino games now feature incredible 3D animations as well as themes and characters of Hollywood films; financial transactions are far more secure and the payouts of Canadian player's winnings are fast; trusted International agencies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers are used to ensure fair gaming and legitimate accounting practices.

Overall, the online gambling industry in Canada has come a long way and is now one of the most entertaining and popular pastimes on the Internet. Nevertheless, there are unscrupulous individuals in any industry, especially on the internet, that tarnish the reputation for others. To avoid common pitfalls, we offer a few helpful hints for you to identify a legitimate online gambling site:

- Look for seals of certification from reputable third parties such as eCogra, iTech Labs and TST Systems. Seals are usually presented on the bottom of the homepage.
- Ensure customer service is available 24/7. Virtual casinos are online 24/7, so should support and every reputable operation can afford to employ staff around the clock.
- Find clearly stated terms and conditions for promotions. These are real business and every business needs to protect itself from fraud - in this case, player fraud. If an outfit is out to scam you, they won't be concerned about limiting a promotional liability. In some cases, if a free casino bonus is too good to be true - it is.

There are many advantages when you look at cash incentives when you play at a Canadian online casino such as the free sign up bonus as well as the chance to play and win in the comfort of your own home. Just be sure you're choosing the right one! By playing a casino online, you can use gaming strategies to increase your odds at winning. With all these things combined, it is no wonder the online gambling in Canada has exploded in the last 10-15 years - even when the economy slumped and less people visited land-based casinos.