Shopping around for an online casino you can count on can seem like something of a minefield. For one thing, you’re faced with literally thousands of options to choose from. In addition, pretty much every casino you come across will do whatever it takes to convince you they’re the best in the business.
Add these two factors together and you’re looking at an uphill battle…right?
Not exactly, as choosing a stellar Canadian online casino that does everything right can actually be quite simple. Irrespective of whether you’re looking to play roulette online exclusively or try your hand with a whole bunch of games, the same basic factors need to be taken into consideration. After which, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong.
So with this in mind, here’s all you need to know about choosing the perfect online casino in Canada – whatever your personal preferences happen to be:
Check Licensing and Regulation
When you select an online casino of any kind, be sure to check whether its operator has official registration and certificates from international regulatory bodies such as eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance). This is an internationally recognised London-based player protection and standardisation agency for online gambling companies. ECOGRA is a leading independent testing laboratory, auditing body, and certification agency for online games and information security management systems.
Under no circumstances is it advisable to do business with any online gaming entity that isn’t extensively regulated and fully licensed. Doing so only puts your Financial Data and your general safety at risk.
Beware Misleading Bonus Offers
Don’t be blindsided by what appears to be ridiculously generous introductory bonuses for new customers. More often than not, anything more than a modest introductory bonus probably isn’t all it appears to be. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the size of the bonus that counts – it’s the terms and conditions by which it is governed.
Before signing up for any bonus of any kind, take the time to carefully read the attached terms and conditions. Wagering requirements and withdrawal limitations in particular should be noted, which in some instances make it 100% impossible to do anything worthwhile with the bonus funds. You’re unlikely to lose anything with a bogus bonus offer, but you’re equally unlikely to get anything out of the deal, either.
Check Deposit and Withdrawal Policies
Depending on your preferences and the depths of your pockets, you’ll have your own opinions on what’s ‘acceptable’ where deposits and withdrawals are concerned. For example, if you plan on playing nothing more than penny slots, a minimum withdrawal amount of $150 isn’t going to be much use to you. Nor is a minimum deposit requirement of $50, if you never plan on spending more than say $10 at a time.
In addition, see what’s said about fees and commissions attached to transactions in both directions. If there’s anything at all payable on transactions by way of Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and so on, consider choosing a casino that doesn’t impose unfair commissions.
Play for Free Before Signing Up
These days, the vast majority of online casinos allow newcomers to check out what’s on offer, prior to handing over any real money. Most slots (and some table games) can be played for free using virtual currency, without the need to sign up for an account. This can be a great way of seeing how the casino in question does business, along with the extent to which the experience is polished, professional and enjoyable.
Of course, it’s not to say that every casino that doesn’t allow free-play is dodgy, dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. It’s simply a case of ensuring you make the right decision, before you start putting any real money on the line.
Quality Customer Care
The quality (and availability) of the customer support a casino provides tells you a lot about its professionalism and profile in general. At one end of the scale, you have the casinos that provide 24/7 customer support via a variety of channels and do everything they can to keep their customers happy. At the opposite end of the scale, you have casinos that are practically impossible to get in touch with and don’t care at all about their customers.
This alone is an important mark of quality and professionalism to be on the lookout for. Unless they are capable of providing at least a decent level of customer support, you’d probably be better off spending your money elsewhere.
Customer Reviews and Recommendations
The quickest and easiest way to find a quality Canadian casino you can count on is to consult a series of customer reviews and recommendations. Nothing influenced by affiliate commissions or brand associations – 100% independent and impartial customer reviews. Of which there are millions doing the rounds online, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find those that relate to the casino you’re considering.
An occasional negative review is to be expected, as you can’t please all of the people all over time. Nevertheless, you should ensure you stick exclusively with casinos that have a predominantly positive and reassuring track record.
Go with Your Gut
Last but not least, you can usually trust your instincts and first impressions when it comes to online casino gaming. If you are not 100% convinced the moment you log on, go with your gut and walk away. If there’s something about the online casino that just doesn’t seem right or comes across as amateurish, there are plenty of alternative options available elsewhere.
The fact that there are so many online casinos available means you need never settle for second best. If anything, you can be as selective and scrutinising as you like, browsing a whole bunch of options before choosing the right casino for you. Always remember that it’s your money on the line, so you might as well make sure it’s being spent sensibly!
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