Sports betting and the Tokyo Olympics
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MrSpins.CA The Best Online Casino Guide for Canadians by Canadians
Online Casinos have risen in popularity year over year so it’s no wonder it’s getting harder for Canadians to find the best site that’s right for them. That’s where we come in. We love Online Casinos and we know you do to, that’s why you’re here. This is where you’ll find detailed info on the best casinos online, the newest games and the hottest offers catered to the Canadian market.
MrSpins.CA cover’s Online Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Live Casino, Bingo, Poker, Scratch Cards and Sports Betting. Whether you’re new to the world of online casinos or you’re a seasoned vet MrSpins.CA has got everything you need in one place. We’ve done all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Got questions? We’ve got answers bellow.
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Online Slots
A staple in every land-based casino around the world Online Slots are one of the most popular games with Canadian players looking for some hot gambling action. Most sites have entire sections dedicated to Online Slots including games based on popular movies, tv shows, games with different bonus features and much more. So how do you know which Online Slots are best for you? Luckily, we reviewed some of our favourite Slots below to give you a head start.
Online Blackjack
Blackjack has been around for hundreds of years and now a days can be found in every online casino site. The simple premise of trying to reach 21 with going over is just as popular now as it ever was. With the addition fancy graphics, the game begins to come to life. The internet has helped change the way people can play including new innovations in streaming live video. You can now play with live dealers which increases the immersion into the game all while enjoying the experience from the comfort of your own home. The line between land-based casinos and online casinos continues to get smaller.
Online Roulette
A game of chance where you place a bet on any number or colour and watch the ball spin around the wheel hoping it lands on whatever you’ve placed your bet on and selected. Online casinos have brought us the option to choose from playing roulette on the American wheel or the European wheel. The main difference between the 2 wheels being that the American one has a slot for 0 and for 00 while the European wheel only has a slot for 0 foregoing the use of the extra 00. This can mess a little with you, odds as there is now anther slot on the wheel for the ball to land however, the pay out on both wheels are the same. This gives players more options to play to however they like.
Live Casino
Live casinos have increased in popularity over the years thanks mostly to improvements in internet speeds and improvements with online streaming technology. This has given birth to live casinos which are essentially like a regular online casino however the games are played with live dealers. You can also interact with the dealers which makes the experience different from playing against a machine. If you’re having a hot winning streak you can even tip the dealer just like you would in Vegas or any other land-based casinos.
Online Bingo
The fun social tradition of playing bingo with friends in bingo halls and other venues has been brought online to enhance your experience. Here you can find fun variations of bingo including 75 ball and 90 ball bingo. Over the years there have been some fun new variations of the game including Slingo which is a mix of bingo and slots combined. You can also interact with fun chat hosts who make sure to keep the party going while you having fun playing bingo.
Online Poker
Poker is a game of skill. This game is played all around the world and has been featured on tv with huge competitions and large cash prizes for the winners. People all over the world are now able to connect with each for an exciting game of poker. Many sites hold tournaments with the prize being entry into World Series of Poker and other big poker tournaments. You can also find different variation of the game online such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, classic Video Poker machines and more.
Online Scratch Cards
Scratch cards are game of chance usually thought of as something you pick up at a gas station or local convenience store, but these games are gaining in popularity with online casinos. The premise is simple and is similar to the real experience where you need to scratch 3 or more of the same things in order to win. There are even sites entirely dedicated to only scratch card games. These games add a fun variety to online casinos.
Sports Betting
What better way to add some excitement when watching your favourite team in that big game then by placing a little wager on who’s going to win. Sports betting sites are extremely popular with Canadians who love their Hockey and other sports. Taking bets on all your favourite sporting events from all over Canada and the rest of the world. Every team and match have odds and other stats which can help you best decide which team to place your bet on.
Some guidelines to choosing the best Online Casinos
In order to determine which online casino is the right choice for you we need to look at several different factors.
- Licensed and regulated. It’s always important to start by checking if a potential site you want to play on is fully licensed with one of the different online gaming authorities. This holds the site more accountable and ensures they will adhere to rules and regulations in fear of receiving large fines or even worse losing their license.
- Deposits and withdrawals. Make sure the site offers secure payment methods and easy withdrawals options. Many sites offer a wide range of payment options to make it easy to deposit while ha ving complicated requirements to pull out your winnings. Most sites will have a help or frequently asked questions section you can visit to get more information on depositing and withdrawing your hard-earned money from their sites.
- Support and customer service. Most online casinos have 24/7 support by email as well as live chat and phone support. Make sure you can easily get a hold of anyone in support before you deposit. It’s important to know there is someone there to help you if you have any issues and need fast and friendly service.
- Responsible gaming. Every Online Casino needs to have a responsible gaming section on their site which details exactly what the site is responsible for and what their liabilities are. Every site needs to be held accountable for the way they operate their business.
- Software providers. There are thousands of Online Casino sites across multiple software providers. Each one with their own strengths and weaknesses. Microgaming, Playtech, Dragonfish, Netent and more. More experienced players will recognize some these names and may even have their preferred providers. This should only be part of what you consider as the above points are of more importance.
- Bonus offers and promotions. Every site will have some type of offer available to new players making their first deposit as well to returning players with re-deposit bonuses, free spins, and free tickets to big money games. You can usually visit a website’s promotions page to see all the offers on hand. Returning players can earn VIP status with all the extra perks and benefits that come along with it. Be sure to see which offers are available to find the ones that best suit you.
Some guidelines to choosing the best Online Slots
A proper online casino site should have an entire section dedicated to online slots with different themes, variations and bonus features to ensure more variety and more fun options to play. So how do you know which games to choose.
- RTP (Return to Player). RTP is a term Online Casinos use to describe the percentage of all the wagered money a slot machine will pay back to players over time. To clarify what this means, imagine you’re playing your favourite slot, and each bet you place is $1. If you were to spin the wheel 100 times and the slot machine had an RTP of 90% that would mean you would get back $90. Therefore, the higher and RTP percentage is the more money you stand to win.
- Bonus features. Many of today’s online slot games have added features which go beyond simply spinning the wheel to match 3 or more of images. Some of these include incredible animations, bonus free spins, pay out multipliers, wild cards, mini games, and more.
- Slots Machine Variations. Some of the most popular variations include: the classic 3-reel slot where the objective is to line up 3 of the same images. The 5-reel variation is a more elaborate version of slots which has multiple lines and numerous combinations you achieve giving you more chances to win. Progressive slots are played for a large sum jackpot. The winnings are much more substantial as this slot is being played on multiple sites by many people all contributing to increasing the jackpot until someone gets lucky and wins the whole amount. Once this happens the jackpot will reset to a lower amount and slowly being to build up again until the next time.
- Read the instructions. If you’re new to playing online slots or even if you’ve been playing for quite some time, it’s always important to look over the game’s instructions. Each slot game should have detailed instructions on how the game plays, information on bonus features, minimum and maximum bets and more. Get familiar with everything to make sure you maximize the potential of each spin you make.
So how do we review Online Casinos?
Besides just presenting you with information, we scour the internet searching for the best online casinos by signing up and playing just like you would. We know that choosing the right casino can seem intimidating with so many options available. In order to determine which Online Casinos, we recommend to our readers we’d like to give you a little more insight into our process.
First and foremost, we look for a casino that holds a license with one of the different online gambling jurisdictions like the United Kingdom gaming commission, Gibraltar, Malta or Kahnawake to name a few. Knowing that the site you are about to sign up to and deposit money on is being held accountable to rules and regulations can help alleviate some of your initial fears. Any casino which does not follow the rules of their license can incur large fines up to millions of dollars and potentially worse risk losing their license which can be detrimental. This forces online casinos to play fair and even gives the player someone to turn to when they feel they have been wronged by an online casino.
Next, we look at what signup and re-deposit bonuses and packages these sites offer. Certain sites will offer a welcome bonus when making your first deposit while others offer a package to include additional bonuses on your 2nd, 3rd and even 4th deposit depending on the package. Bonus offers come in a variety of flavours like free spins, bonus cash and free tickets to big jackpot games just to name a few. In 2019 thanks to many changes in the industry many online casino sites are giving out smaller bonus offers. We find the best offers to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Lastly, we read all the fine print. Usually you’ll see a great offer followed by very long terms and conditions explaining things like wagering requirements and restrictions which are often phrased in such a way that you can easily get confused. The last thing anyone wants to find out about when trying to withdraw their winnings is that they haven’t fulfilled some requirement that allows them to claim their money. We also make sure the sites have a full suite of customer service options including phone, email and live chat in case you need to get a hold of someone for assistance of any kind.
Latest Canadian Online Gambling News
MrSpins.CA likes to stay up to date on all the latest gambling news affecting our fellow players across Canada. Whether you are looking for information about the latest slot games, tips on how to play your favourite games, where to find the best bonuses, or simply wondering about changes to the laws in Canada and how it can affect you then we’ve got you covered. We’ve complied and summarized a bunch of articles you might find interesting below.
Ontario plans to open up the province’s online gambling sector to private competition.
Back in April of 2019 Ontario’s new Tory government promised to widen the online gambling options available to Ontario’s nearly 15 million residents. Currently the only fully legalized online casino in Ontario is PlayOLG.ca which is run by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) with no other options available.
In order to facilitate more variety and better options to the players the province will allow private companies to apply for licenses to operate their own online casinos catered to the residents of Ontario. Currently the laws regulating online gambling are determined on the provincial level and not the federal one. Similar plans like these have been discussed next door in Quebec however nothing has progressed since the start of the year.
Many provinces will be keeping an eye Ontario as they take the lead in legalizing and regulating online casinos by issuing licenses to private operators. Success here will mean more provinces may likely follow.
NetEnt Games are coming back to your favourite sites.
If you’re familiar with online casinos, then you’ve probably heard of NetEnt and if you’re new to the scene then let’s just say they make some of the best online slot games around. For years now Canadians have been waiting to get their hands on NetEnt’s huge library of games like Dead or Alive, Starburst, Jumanji, Gonzo’s Quest, Jack and the Beanstalk and many more. For a little while it seemed like NetEnt games were becoming available to Canadians but in 2016 they suddenly pulled out of the Canadian market without any prior warnings and no official statements were made at the time.
It is widely believed the reason they pulled out of the market was due to the fact that they were not operating with a license. In an effort to change this, they stopped providing their games to online casinos based in Canada so they could obtain the proper license needed to operate legally in Canada. They first applyed for one in British Columbia last year which was issued to them.
In 2019 NetEnt games have started to appear on more online casinos as they are slowly making a comeback in Canada. More sites will be joining this trend throughout the year where you will begin to see more of NetEnt’s library of games on your favourite sites.
British Columbia’s crack down on money laundering takes a big toll on local casinos.
Great Canadian Gaming which owns and operates Coquitlam’s Hard Rock and River Rock casinos just released their quarterly financial report which showed a 12 percent decline to $283 million as compared to last year in during the same period.
The CEO of VIP play said they had fallen in the past quarter in British Columbia due to the crackdown initiated last year by the province targeting dirty money. He was quoted as saying “This is clearly a disappointing quarter and we’ve got a bunch more work to do which I can confirm for you, we are diligently working on continuing to move our business forward,”
What initiated this crackdown goes back to last year were regulators in B.C. Gaming Enforcement Branch believed they discovered that around $1.7 billion had flowed through British Columbia’s Lottery Corp. using high roller and VIP accounts. Most of these accounts were being funded by criminal banks drafts and loan sharks.
For years this was an issue plaguing the government of British Columbia. All this led to changes in the law and new regulations last year in order to help combat this problem. However, these issues have been affecting local businesses in the process.
Attorney general Peter Eby is currently heading the massive crackdown by taking steps to curb these activities which include forcing local casinos to demand proof of a legitimate source of funds over for players deposit $10K or more.
This hasn’t affected online casinos as they are still not considered to be illegal in B.C and the rest of Canada. It’s still safe to play your favourite slot games and other casino games online.
What’s all the buzz about progressive jackpot games
Many of us play the lottery or enjoy some online casino entertainment from time to time for the thrill and excitement but really more so in the hopes of have a life changing moment and winning millions of dollars.
This is now becoming a little easier with the addition in recent years of progressive jackpot slot games. But what is a progressive jackpot slot you might ask. In simple terms it’s a slot game which is being played across hundreds and even thousands of sites where every spin made is contributing to a massive jackpot. The game can take months or even longer until one lucky player makes that life changing spin and wins the entire combined jackpot.
Back in November of 2018 a very lucky individual made such a spin on the progressive slot Joker Millions and walked away with a $3.3 million prize.
In order to pull this off this lucky individual had to trigger the jackpot spins bonus round and land the joker across all 15 reels. Sounds simple enough, no?
So, what happens after someone hits the jackpot and claims the massive prize? The game will now reset to a small starting amount usually somewhere around a few thousand dollars and will continue to build up over the coming weeks and months until someone eventually hits the next big jackpot.
One thing to keep in mind is that min bet for progressive jackpot games are higher than other slot games as the prize can end up in the millions of dollars. We think the risk is totally worth the reward. I mean who here amount us wouldn’t want to be an instant millionaire.
New progressive jackpot games are constantly being released giving you more options to play. Will you become the next progressive jackpot millionaire?
Exciting new game just released
Play’n Go a popular online slots maker recently announced they would be releasing, a new slot game called Mahjong 88 based on the popular and extremely well known tile game of the same name. This new slot merges the classic tile-based game with flashy visuals and immersive sounds.
The new game has some exciting features including an authentic grid and very cultural representation in the visuals paying tribute to the source material the game is based on. Players familiar with Play’n Go’s games will be instantly reminded of some of their other games like Legacy of Egypt, 3D Slot Contact and Viking Runecraft.
The gameplay varies a little from what most slots players will be used to as the game foregoes the standard spinning reels and replaces them titles with different symbols on them. As you play tiles will disappear while new one will appear in their place.
Many veteran and new online slots player will enjoy the variety of this new type of slot adding new forms of excitement. Mhajong 88 is now available in many online casinos catering to the Canadian market. We’ll be keeping an eye out for new games being released by Play’n Go in 2019 to keep you up to date with the latest online slot games.
Faster than the speed of light
Everyone’s favourite speedster is coming to an online casino near you. Playtech recently launched a new online slot game based on DC comics fastest man alive the Flash. It’s you vs. the many different speedsters in DC universe using scatters and other battle features.
The latest entry in the DC comics-based game is a 5-reel slot that plays lighting quick. You need to help Barry Allen AKA the Flash take down his arch nemesis the Reverse Flash with his reverse colour scheme of yellow and red. This game boasts flashy graphics and awesome game sounds to help you feel like you’re moving at the speed of light.
Tap into the speed force to help Barry with a whopping 50 pay lines with tons of possible winning combinations. Be sure to catch the wilds and scatter symbols to get some free spins and a chance to win a massive progressive jackpot of 20K in coins.
In the past Playtech released other DC comics slot themed games such as Batman & The Joker Jewels, Batman & Catwoman Cash, Batman & the Penguin Prize, Batman & Mr. Freeze Fortune, Batman & The Batgirl Bonanza and Batman & The Riddler Riches. That’s a whole lot of Batman games it’s no wonder the Flash finally got his own game too.
Top 5 most popular online slots games Canadians are playing right now
- Age of the Gods
Age of the Gods brings the magical and mythical world of Greek mythology to life in an exciting 5-reel slot game. All your favourite Gods make an appearance here like Zeus, Athena, Hercules and more. Each one has their own set of unique powers to help create amazing opportunities for players to win bonus rounds and special power ups.
- Deal or No Deal
Based on the popular hit tv gameshow this fun 5-reel slot game offers players the chance to win a massive progressive jackpot. You can max out your bets in order to increase your chance of landing the big jackpot. This game has great visuals and audio helping immerse players into the experience and making you feel like you’re actually on the gameshow.
- Thunder Struck 2
Like Age of the Gods this one also deals in Mythology but the focus here is on Norse Mythology. Featuring everyone’s favourite Norse God Thor. This newest update to the series offers improved graphics and sounds giving you a better all-around experience. With multiple reels and combinations, it’s no wonder Canadians are enjoying this game.
- A Night Out
This game feels like a fun night out on the town with your friends. Jam packed with awesome extras like floor scatter symbols, beer symbol wild cards, bartender bonuses and a progressive jackpot named Dollar Ball. This game has got all the things you’d expect on a wild night out on town with cocktails, flashing lights and hot action. Join the girls on a crazy night out. Who knows, you might even get lucky.
- Starburst
Last but not least for those in the know Netent is one of today’s premier providers of online slot games. With massive hits already under their belt it’s no reason why players are loving this game. This spaced themed 5-reel slot has you matching precious gems, symbols and numbers giving more chances to win big. The visuals are amazing and with loads of bonus features Canadians are loving this one.
What Questions are Being asked the Most by Canadian Gamblers
We know most players whether they are new to online casinos or having been playing for a few years now have questions. The industry is constantly changing and so are the laws and regulations in Canada. We’ve compiled a list of the most common questions being asked to us by fellow gamblers like yourselves in the hopes of clearing up any confusion you may have about online gambling.
This is the most frequently asked question we get asked and the simple answer is to this is YES. This is still considered a grey area in legal terms as there are no laws explicitly stating Canadians can or can’t gamble online. However, this works out great for Canadian who love to gamble and play slots or other exciting casino games online on their down time. We still recommend you only play on trusted licensed websites who cater to the Canadian market.
As of right now you can only play on PlayOLG.ca which is owned and operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC). However, there are plans which have been proposed by the newly elected Tory government to open the market to private online operators to own and operate licensed online casinos in Ontario. Until then, you can still play on any site you like as there is no law prohibiting you from doing so in Canada.
he short answer is no. Only people who are professional gamblers need to pay taxes. Casual players like you and me are not required to pay any tax on winnings from any slot games or any other online casino games as well as winning earned on sports betting sites. If you happen to be deemed as a professional poker player with your only source of income coming solely from poker tournaments and online casinos, then you may find yourself in trouble with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if you don’t report your winnings. As long you’re a casual player you should have nothing to worry about.
When you deposit and play at various online casinos you can win real money. It’s just like a land-based casino where you would purchase chips when you arrive and spend those chips throughout your time on different games trying to win big. Some online casinos offer progressive jackpots offering prizes over a million dollars to whomever hits the winning spin. Once your deposit and bonus balance are spent; you’ll need to re-deposit to keep on playing.
Today there are more options than ever to join and play at you’re favourite online casino. You can play on your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. Many sites now have dedicated apps on the App Store and Google Play Store, or you can even use your mobile phone or tablet’s web browser to login and play your favourite slot games. You can choose to play in the comfort of your own home or on the go whichever best suites you’re playing sty