The Canadian iGaming market is continuing to grow at an exponential rate, with this trend expected to continue for the foreseeable future at least.
To this end, revenue generated through the online gambling segment is expected to reach $322.40 million at the end of this year, before peaking at $455.90 million in just five years’ time.
This growth has also triggered a rush to market among would-be remote betting and casino platforms, making it increasingly difficult to identify the best and most secure online entities.
Of course, the time2play.com website is a tremendous resource for identifying the best online casinos, but what are the key considerations when choosing between independent sites?
#1. Is Your Chosen Site Secure?
We’ll start with the single most important consideration, especially given the wealth of casino platforms and online sportsbooks now available to customers.
Remember, the iGaming market in Canada is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.18% over the course of the next five years, and this is sure to increase the number of rogue or questionable operators in the near-term.
To gauge a platform’s level of security, there are several criteria that need to be considered. Firstly, you should review technical elements such as the level of encryption used by a site, with so-called “256-bit encryption” considered to be far superior to its 128-bit counterpart and upto 300 billion-times more secure.
Beyond this, you’ll need to consider any additional security protocols utilised by the site (such as age verification tools), along with the payment platforms available and the accessibility of customer support.
Make no mistake; rogue operators tend to operate minimal or non-existent customer support options, and this is a quick and easy way to test the viability of a platform before you wager your hard-earned bankroll.
Secure and reputable sites should also have a formal privacy policy that’s accessible through their homepage, and this should detail how your data is used and precisely how the casino operates when interacting with customers. It’s important to review this when signing up, as otherwise, you may find your personal data or sensitive payment information compromised over time.
It’s also crucial that your chosen casino platform is licensed by the relevant authorities, but we’ll touch on this in the next section.
#2. Is Your Chosen Site Licensed by the Correct Authority?
A secure and reputable casino platform will not only be fully licensed by the relevant authority, but it will also display the relevant credentials on its website.
But what bodies are responsible for regulating and iGaming bodies in Canada? Well, the country’s iGaming market is regulated primarily by province-based governments, which means that you’ll have to research the relevant bodies that are pertinent to your precise jurisdiction.
For example, players in Ontario will see that the ‘AGCO’ regulated as oversees the 25 slots and casino locations active in the province, which are also managed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
Outside of this, you should also note that there are overarching regulations like the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA). Also, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) sets clearly-defined standards in the market, and these transcend regional bodies and regulatory frameworks.
So, we’d recommend checking your chosen casino site for their licensing credentials, ensuring that they both exist and that they’ve been administered by the relevant bodies.
#3. What’s in the Casino’s Games’ Library?
Last, but not least, you shouldn’t lose sight of your chosen casino’s games’ library and the broad experience that it’s able to offer players across the board.
After all, while your security and safety online is incredibly important, it should distract completely from the wider iGaming experience and precisely what you’re looking for from the perspective of convenience and gameplay.
For example, we know that reputable sites should offer safe, secure and compliant payment options. But do they offer the payment options that are most convenient for you, with this consideration particularly important when wagering primarily through eWallets or cryptocurrency tokens.
In terms of gameplay, the key consideration is the number and range of games available to players. Remember, you’re likely to have your favourite games and verticals online, so prioritising platforms that cater to these tastes will deliver the best experience for you.
Of course, it’s widely accepted that online slots dominate the iGaming market in Canada, but verticals like table games, live casino activity and video poker will also be represented to one degree or another.
Finally, it’s important to remember that aforementioned resources like the time2play website also publish detailed reviews of their listed casinos. These provide an objective and comprehensive insight into the overall experience offered by individual platforms, and can prove crucial when choosing one casino over another.
You should also compare and contrast this information with first-hand user reviews, as this may unlock additional insights that help you to make an even more informed decision.
