A 2024 Guide to the Best Online Casino Bonus Canada

What is a casino bonus?

They are incentives and rewards offered by the vast majority of casinos to encourage people to play for the first time or keep playing. There are many kinds of bonuses available like spins bonuses for example. Each one offering different kinds of benefits and with its own Terms & Conditions. No wonder why this can get overwhelming. The main reason online casinos are able to offer casino bonuses is because of the lack of expenses traditional brick and mortar casinos have and therefore able to offer players incentives that at first glance might appear too good to be true but there is always a fine print there to balance profitability for the casino or gambling sites, and benefits or winnings for the players.

You can find a list of the best available casino bonuses right on this page! Each one of the Canadian casinos listed here has been vetted by our team after careful consideration of their casino reviews, loyalty points, banking methods, customer support, and casino promotions. If this is still overwhelming and you are looking for a good place to start, check out National, one of our favourite online casino sites, and make sure to visit their Promotion tab for their latest bonuses. On the flip side, there is an overwhelming offering of casino bonuses and numerous sites that compile bonuses indiscriminately, so be mindful and always use your best judgment when it comes to trusting a specific site.

Getting more than one casino bonus

Some casinos offer welcome packages that include multiple kinds of bonuses to let you explore different games. Now casinos will let you take advantage of different kinds of bonuses as time goes by, whether it is for a different game or for a friend referral for example, but chances are you won’t be able to claim the same bonus more than once at least in the short term or until you’ve exhausted your first bonus.

To bonus or not to bonus

Are they worth it? Bonuses are a great way and sometimes risk-free way to check out an online casino and win real money playing in the slot games or if it’s a live casino, dealer games, and the overall feel of every casino section. Each one of the 2000+ online casinos has some sort of bonus offers or bonus spins each one better than the last one. They want to compete for your preference after all. The key is to understand the bonus terms and conditions, such as the wagering requirement, first deposit, deposit methods, payment options, withdrawal methods, etc.

• Great way to get started, some of them risk-free.
• It allows you to try new casino games sometimes without spending your money.
• Potentially win some real money.

• Limited time to use the casino bonus or bonus money
• Wagering requirements (also known as playthrough requirements) can be discouraging
• Cashout limits can prevent you from winning big

Keep this in mind

Always make sure you read the bonus terms and conditions to make sure it is the right choice for you.

What are the most common types of casino bonuses in Canada?

There are many types of online casino bonuses in Canada, some you can only use when you first sign-up other online casino bonuses are released on a regular basis for all or specific casino games, either way here is a comprehensive list of the most relevant ones and how you can make the most money, yes real money, out of them.

Welcome bonuses or Sign-up bonuses

Is the casino welcome bonus you get after signing up or creating a casino account. It usually groups a variety of different online casino bonuses to let new players explore different casino games and entice them to keep coming back. The overall dollar value of welcome bonuses packed within this casino bonus changes from casino to casino, ranging from a couple of hundred Canadian dollars to sometimes a thousand. Always make sure you read the bonus terms and conditions closely as often the welcome bonuses with higher values have higher wagering requirements and limitations.

No deposit bonus

This casino bonus is only offered to new players at the time of creating a casino account. It requires no investment on your part and can actually end up making you some real money, so you don’t need to add a minimum deposit or make your first deposit if you don’t want to. The idea is to let people get a taste of the casino using this bonus money with 0 risk, which is why this casino bonus is considered one of the best online casino bonuses out there. So if you are not ready to spend your own money, this casino bonus is a great way to start. Typically you’ll get $10 right off the bat after creating your account. Always make sure to check for any limitations around payout because if you exceed that amount you won’t get the rest of your winnings.

Match Bonus or deposit bonuses

A casino will match whatever amount you choose to deposit. Typically this is part of the welcome bonus and you’ll be able to claim this bonus with your first deposit. The match bonuses or deposit bonuses are displayed as 100% match or sometimes even 200%. So this means if you deposit $50, the casino will add another $50 if it’s 100% match or add $100 if it is a 200% match. The match bonus is by far the most common type of bonus a casino offers. A live casino will often offer the highest bonus money. A match bonus can also be restrictive of certain casino games and be tied to a wagering requirement. They are also known as 1st Deposit bonus, 2nd Deposit, and so on. The bonus amount typically increases as you prove yourself loyal to the casino. A match bonus can also include free spins bonus.

Choosing the best deposit bonus online casino

Beyond exploring the availability of that bonus in Canada and the overall rating of the casino and its license, it’s good to start right on the fine print. High match bonuses have high wagers which can make it virtually impossible to claim your money. If you are hoping to play a specific game, check the list of games that apply for this bonus as restrictions and limitations abound. Finally look for solid extras, like free spins, which can come as a nice bundle.

Free Spins Bonus

As the name suggests, they are free slot spins or extra spins you can get on certain slot machines usually when making a deposit. This type of casino bonus is offered by a casino on a regular basis to all players and is very popular. Deposit bonus free spins range from 20 extra spins up to 300 and even sometimes more. There is something important to consider, the higher the number of extra spins the higher the wagering requirement. This means that you’ll have to wager whatever you win a specific amount of times before you can cash out.

Expert Advice

If you make low deposits though, your wagering requirements should be low as well.

Free Play

Similar to a No Deposit Bonus in the sense of requiring no real money investment on your part, but of a much larger size. Where a No Deposit Bonus ranges between $5 and $10, a Free Play casino bonus can be up to a $1000. The catch is that this casino bonus has a time limit in which you can play and winnings will be most likely capped at a certain amount. So for example, if you win $10,000 you’ll only be able to cash out the max of $100 or $200.

Friend Referral Casino Bonus

A casino will reward you with this casino bonus for virtually bringing friends along. Typically involves sharing casino bonus codes or a special link with a friend and then once they sign up, and more importantly make a deposit, you’ll receive the bonus amount in your account. It can be in the form of free extra spins or bonus spins, or just a bonus amount to play.

Loyalty Bonuses or Loyalty Programs

Casino sites will reward consistent and long-term Canadian players with loyalty points towards this type of loyalty program. Most online casinos will have a certain hierarchy of ranks you can achieve in order to get better and more interesting rewards. These bonus offers come in the form of a reload bonus that a casino will grant loyal players for making consistent deposits. As players move up in hierarchy so will the bonus money you can get.

Reload Bonus

This casino bonus is the equivalent of the Match bonus or deposit bonuses for existing players on the site. It will be offered to players on a regular basis and it requires them to add a deposit in order to receive the casino bonus offer. More often than not, it will have a limited time window to claim these bonus offers.

Cashback Bonus

There is really no downside to this casino bonus. Similar to racking up cashback points with your credit cards, this bonus offer lets you accumulate cashback dollars for every dollar you lost. A casino will put out this bonus offer essentially to keep players happy. The landscape is getting competitive and casinos want to make sure you stay with them. This cash bonus offer ranges between 5% and 25%. More importantly, is rarely tied to any wagering requirements so is pretty much free money. The one downside is that some of these bonus offers are limited in the amount of money you can get back. So if your cash back bonus is 20% with a limit of a $100, if your losses exceed that amount you’ll only get $100 in real money back. Another downside of this bonus money is that not all games are included. A live casino can exclude slots with a high payout or games like blackjack. Also make sure to check the fine print because a casino can prevent you from getting this bonus if you haven’t lost your entire deposit or if you haven’t met a specific wagering requirement.

Highroller Casino Bonus or VIP Program

Very similar to the previously mentioned Loyalty Bonus. This casino bonus is typically awarded to players who deposit large amounts or wagers. Unlike the loyalty programs this is a VIP program players can join by invitation only and the higher you move up this program, the better the bonuses will become.

Birthday Bonuses

Often part of a Loyalty Program or VIP promotions. As its name suggests, it’s the casino bonus you receive as a birthday present. It can be a mix of free spins, extra spins, or cash amounts with no deposit. It’s a fun way for casinos to show they appreciate you and keep you happy.

Game Release Bonuses

Some casinos offer special bonuses every time something new is added to their game selection. This comes in the form of free spins and most likely will only be available for a limited amount of time (some only during the day the game is released).

Mobile Specific Casino Bonuses

The majority of the major online casinos in Canada have a mobile platform. Playing on your mobile opens the doors to a brand new set of casino bonuses in Canada, very similar to the categories mentioned above. Some casino sites can merge both experiences and allow players to jump between mobile and browser-type of experience using the same account and balance. Therefore casinos with a mobile presence, typically major casino operators, offer mobile-specific bonuses to entice players to download the app and give it a shot.

Choosing the best mobile casino bonuses

The bonus offers presented by mobile casinos are have often the same rules and limitations as what a regular online casino would have. A good rule of thumb is perhaps to choose bonuses in the mid-range value as those too good to be true usually are and the ones that cover the most variety of games within the casino.

Looking for the best welcome bonus casino Canada

First of all, you need to either choose the casino you want to play at or select the type of casino bonus in Canada that you would like to get, and based on that choose the right casino or casinos for you.

Things to consider before choosing an Online Casino

1. Software

What is the software provider powering the experience? We’ve gathered a few of the most popular and trustworthy ones in a couple of sections below.

2. License

It’s the permit that allows a casino to operate under certain jurisdictions. These are regulatory bodies that can act as intermediaries between you and the casino in case of a dispute. Therefore is very important to understand upfront to what jurisdiction the online belongs to, as some jurisdictions are stricter than others.

3. Bonuses and Promotions

Look into the terms and conditions of the bonuses and promotions available. More often than not you’ll be able to rule out the casinos offering “too good to be true deals.”

4. Reputation

Find reviews for every casino you want to join. Usually, the ones with major issues will have a significant number of issues and complaints online.

5. Customer Services

Perhaps one of the most important things to look for, is good customer service support. In this day and age, we are so used to accessing quick customer support that it’s surprising to learn some casinos will take a few hours or sometimes days to provide support.

Here is a quick chart to perhaps get you started with some stats

Make sure you consider what type of game selection or gambling is available before you make your choice. Some casinos have sports betting as part of their offering, so if this is important to you, those casinos might be a better option.

These online casinos and bookmaker sites are a good place to start

1. 20Bet

20Bet is a solid and reputable online bookmaker among Canadian players. Customer support is available 24/7 and payouts come in quickly. A big plus side is the diverse lineup of casino games and table games available, making 20Bet a very well round complete package of gambling entertainment. Most popular bonus is the Welcome Bonus, which offers a Deposit Bonus of 100% up to $180 CAD plus 120 free spins. Check it out here.

2. 22Bet

This is one of the most popular bookmakers and online casino operators out there. A user-friendly experience and solid customer support make this site a top choice for Canadian players.

They are cryptocurrency-friendly and have a good payout reputation. They also offer a variety of welcome bonuses and bonuses both for casino players and for sports enthusiasts. Their most popular being the Welcome Bonus 100% up to $300 CAD. Check it out here.

3. National Casino

This is a great casino to try whether you are a beginner looking for straightforward functionality, or an avid player looking for your next thrill. It marks all the checkboxes in our books, a solid software platform, licensed under a reputable jurisdiction, and great customer service. Beyond a fantastic user experience, National Casino’s very wide selection of games and live dealer tables guarantee’s a fit for every player. The bonus section can be found on their Promotions tab, the most popular bonus being its First Deposit Bonus, which gives you 100% for up to $100 plus 100 free spins. Check it out here.

Our Reviews of the Best Online Casinos

How to claim online casino bonuses step-by-step

Every time you land on a casino site you’ll be able to spot some sort of advertisement or link to their promotions. They come in the form of a promo code you’ll have to add during the registration process or at the time of making a deposit. Here is what the step-by-step process looks like.

You can choose from our list of vetted casinos or choose your own, provided you’ve done your research on how reputable the casino site is.

There will be a visible prompt to join or sign up. Click on that and follow the process.

Most likely these are your sign up bonuses or welcome bonus package.

Make sure you take note of the bonus code presented. You’ll have to enter this code in the next steps.

We can’t stress this enough, especially for the wagering requirements. To make sure you get the most out of your bonus and avoid having a bad experience, you need to understand the rules and limitations around these bonuses. Scroll to our requirements section on this page for more info.

Remember the bonus code you saw a couple of steps ago? This is where you can apply it towards your deposit amount and obtain the rewards. The welcome bonus can include:
Spins bonuses or extra spins for a specific slot game, no deposit bonus, match deposit or deposit bonuses, and Free bets (the casinos that support table games often provide this bonus offer.)

Things you need to know before choosing to claim a casino bonuses

Gain a thorough understanding of the fine print requirements and cashback limitations and seize the most attractive options. To achieve this, make sure to carefully read the T&C (Terms & Conditions) of the bonuses. Below you find everything related to understanding a casino’s T&Cs.

Wagering Requirements

First, let’s look at wagering requirements. A wagering requirement simply means a certain amount of winnings you need to reach before you are able cash out. If you’re an experienced player in the casino world, you must recognize that wagering requirements are an entirely fair stipulation. Almost any bonus, promotions, and monetary rewards you decide to claim using online bonuses come with wagering requirements. Wager requirements are usually high, and implied restrictions prevent players from simply cashing out free credits.

Cashout Limitations

Players are advised to check the wagering requirements and read the fine print, as most casinos have a maximum limit on the amount available to withdraw from the winnings. For instance, if a casino contains an imposed payout cap of $100, then that is all you can take, even if you win a massive $5,000 slot jackpot.

Limitations on Bets

Many new players fail to realize that online casino terms also impose limitations on the size of the bet. Generally expressed as a percentage of your bonus amount, usage of bonus funds cannot exceed a certain amount. Placing any bets above this imposed limit will partially or entirely forfeit the bonus.

Expiry Dates

Bonuses come with many stipulations, such as an expiry date. A rule of thumb is to take advantage of bonuses as soon as you are awarded them. This practice will avoid any nasty surprises and redeem any promotional bonuses credited to your account. Wagering requirements also come with an expiry date. Failing to complete the wager requirements by a particular date will make you lose the bonus money. Look for terms like “expire” and “expirations,” as players only get a specific timeframe to complete the requirements, redeem bonuses, and cash out their winnings.

Expert Advice

If you choose to claim a casino bonus with cashout limit, make sure you know what that amount is and cash out as soon as you reach that limit. Otherwise, you will lose anything above that amount!

What is RTP payout and how can you benefit from this

RTP or return to player is the percentage of winnings you can expect from a casino slot, not including table games. Let’s unpack this term. For example, if the machine’s RTP percentage is 90%, it means that if the machine receives about $100 it will give back $90. Now, this can be subjective because there are other factors that play here as well, like house advantage, which is the edge the casino will set to make sure they don’t lose money, and the fact that these payouts can be spread out over thousands or even millions of spins. So take it with a grain of salt. It’s important for serious players and bonus seekers to know what the RTP of an online bonus casino or a specific slot is, to maximize their chances of a good payout or reaching your wagering requirement.

IMPORTANT

Keep this in mind

Some casinos will reduce the percentage of winnings or exclude the highest RTP machines from counting towards your bonus wagering requirement.

Speaking of maximizing your chances, did you know that online casino slots pay much better than physical ones. On average, physical slot machines pay somewhere between 70% and 90% meanwhile online bonus casinos (the good ones) pay between 92% and 96%. You might think the reason is the high cost of upkeeping a brick-and-mortar location, which is true in a sense. The reason is traditional casinos have limited space compared to the unlimited options available at an online casino. Therefore, the house needs to keep more money.

Types of Casino Software

The majority of the online casinos available today use third-party software providers to power their platforms. These providers offer algorithms within their platform to guarantee fair play, in other words giving some people peace of mind in knowing the online platform is not rigged and that they are destined to lose money.

Here is a brief list of the main software providers today:

• Playtech
• Net Entertainment
• Real Time Gaming
• International Gaming Technology
• Microgaming

The Online Casino Landscape in Canada

With approximately $31 billion Canadian dollars in yearly sales, Canadian online gambling is a thriving business expanding exponentially in popularity.

Now, more than ever, online gambling has become a more accessible service through the use of handheld devices like smartphones and tablets. This has played a key role in the growth and development of the online gambling community in Canada and throughout the world. This, coupled with the recent developments in gaming technologies, has the gambling industry exploding with great opportunities for players. Online gambling offers many benefits to both players and casino hosts. From a player’s perspective, online casinos are much cheaper and accessible than visiting a physical casino. Having access to online casino services right at their fingertips, players have unlimited possibilities to play whenever available without the physical restraint of having to visit a casino. Not to mention, online casinos offer a plethora of options when it comes to slots, spins, tables, and games giving players more variety to choose from with each round of play. Not to forget the increasing popularity of the casino bonus. Similarly, from the casino’s perspective, setting up and maintaining online gambling services incurs lower costs than operating physical locations. Another perk of operating an online gambling service in lieu of a physical casino is the freedom to expand past local residents near a physical location. With an online gambling platform, the reach of the casino’s offerings is more expansive and can appeal to players from out of town that would not have otherwise used their services. This has incentivized casino hosts to provide online services and has resulted in the industry’s overall growth.

Canadian Laws Regarding Online Gambling

Knowing the legalities of online gambling in Canada is important, as there are many misconceptions about what is and isn’t legal. The Criminal Code of Canada does not criminalize online gambling. Therefore, as a player, using online gambling services is completely legal under federal law.

The laws regarding operating online casino services are more complex. In summary, Canada requires a license to operate any gambling service. However, the Canadian government will not sign licenses for any online gambling service. To work around this, gambling services must operate offshore in other countries. Because there are thousands of offshore online casinos, it’s important to ensure that any service being used is licensed, regardless of what country it is being operated from. The legality of online gambling in the country has been a hot topic of debate since the 1950s. As previously mentioned, Canada’s federal laws prevent the operation of online gambling services online but allow residents to play via offshore services. In the 1960s, the Canadian government granted each of their provinces the power to set and operate under further regulations than those set by the federal government.

Casino’s Accepted Deposit Methods in Canada

Here are the different payment methods and banking methods you can adopt to make a deposit and access your casino bonuses. While every deposit method is effective, it makes sense to go for that which suits you and your situation. There are plenty of deposit options available when it comes to first deposit or casino deposit bonuses.

Credit/Debit Cards

For a long time, credit and debit cards have been used to make a deposit into various casinos accounts. However, since banks clamped down on online gambling-related transactions, using this method isn’t advisable.

While this payment method might work with some casinos, you shouldn’t take chances. In light of that, it makes sense to try other alternatives listed below.

E-wallets

E-wallets are another effective alternative you should consider. This payment method, which acts as a link between your bank and the online casino, allows you to deposit money into your account. The best part? You don’t have to provide your banking details to the casino site.

Pre-Paid Cards

No credit card or e-wallet? No problem! You can leverage pre-paid card to fund your online casino account. These payment methods are quite effective and are highly recommended for those who wish to manage their bankroll. You can easily get these cards from retail locations such as grocery stores and drug stores.

Bank Wire Transfer

While this is an old option, it can do the trick. The Bank wire transfer method is ideal for individuals who have a good connection with their banks. With a robust relationship in place, you can easily contact your bank with the casino’s bank wire information and request a wire transfer. Like the E-wallet option, this method doesn’t require you to give out banking information.

Not all Canadian banks allow transactions to the casino directly. That said, ensure you find out if your bank allows transactions to casinos directly before embracing this method.

Mobile Payment

If you are a sucker for convenience, try mobile payment. This payment method—a staple in the online shopping realm—can also be used to make deposits into your account. However, before you adopt this method, it makes sense to find out if the online casino allows this option. If they do, you should be able to fund your account via multiple mobile payment operators.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies are one of the other payment methods you may want to explore. Thanks to its ambiguous nature, coupled with the absence of a third party, you are guaranteed a safe and secure transaction.

But, one of the biggest issues that affect this method is its application. Thus, before embracing this option, ensure you find out if it is acceptable by the casino. The volatility of cryptocurrency is another hurdle that may affect its use. Converting CAD to a cryptocurrency and then converting it back can be quite risky.

Instant Banking: The Best Option

If you are tired of leveraging mediocre payment methods that make funding your account seem stressful and tiring, you should consider instant banking. With instant banking, you can fund your account by leveraging the services of a third party which facilitates the transfer of funds to your online account.

To merge your bank details to the casino, you’ll have to visit their site and navigate your way to the banking or payments section. Here you are required to input your banking or cheque details, select the amount you want to deposit and submit. The process is fast and easy.

Final Thoughts on Online Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses are a great way for new players and savvy players exploring online casinos, to gamble relatively risk-free.

We are very excited about the rapid growth this industry is experiencing and we can’t wait to see where how casino bonuses will evolve in the future. Things seem to be changing by the minute and we are doing our best to update this information as much as we can.

Maik Gersten

Expert 

It is my goal to make all the information surrounding online casinos accessible to the average player and share the expertise I’ve gathered throughout the years. There is a method to this madness and I’ve dedicated my life to understand every detail behind the games and the technologies supporting them so you don’t have to!

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