How We Review Online Casinos & Sportsbooks
Our review process is rooted in authentic, first-hand experience. Our team is not just writers; we’re avid players. When we check out a new Canadian casino or sportsbook, we dive in headfirst. We sign up, deposit funds, place bets, and request withdrawals, replicating exactly what you will do when you register.
By playing for real, we can genuinely tell you what’s great, what’s just okay, and what unexpected hiccups you might encounter. No second-hand opinions (we will point out those as well) – it’s all first-hand, honest feedback from players who love to game online.
Licensing & Security
We only recommend sites that are properly licenced and secure. We double-check that each casino or sportsbook holds a valid licence (for example, an official Ontario iGaming licence if it’s available in Ontario) and uses top-notch security tech to protect your data. If a site isn’t legit and trustworthy, we’ll warn you.
Deposits & Withdrawals
We test the banking process first-hand, from making a deposit to cashing out winnings. This involves evaluating the variety of payment methods (e.g. Interac e-Transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, etc.), transaction speed, and any fees. We favour sites that offer fast payouts and convenient, low-cost options for Canadian players.
We know fast payouts and reliable banking are a huge deal, so we make sure the sites deliver on what they say.
Mobile Experience
Let’s face it, many of us love gaming on our phones. So we use the casino or sportsbook on our mobile devices (both apps and the mobile website) to see how it performs. We expect a responsive design, intuitive navigation, and stable performance for on-the-go play.
A great site should let you do everything on your phone that you can do on a computer – whether it’s spinning slots, betting on the Leafs game, or contacting support.
Games & Betting Variety
Variety is the spice of life! We explore the game library and sports markets in depth. For sportsbooks, it means deep sports market coverage (hockey, football, basketball, niche sports, etc.) and bet types. We look for quality and variety – whether you prefer spinning the reels or betting on the Stanley Cup, the site should cater to your interests.
Responsible Gambling Tools
We ensure each operator provides tools to help players gamble responsibly. This includes features like deposit limits, wagering limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion programs. If you ever feel things are getting out of hand, these features are there to help.
We highlight what tools are available and how easy they are to use, because a good casino cares about its players’ health.
Customer Support
Sooner or later, you might need a hand – maybe a bonus didn’t activate or you have a question about a withdrawal. We contact customer service via all available channels to gauge responsiveness and helpfulness. Our team expects prompt, 24/7 support that effectively assists users.
User Experience
Finally, we take in the overall user experience. Is the site easy to navigate? Does it load quickly? Are the graphics and design modern and clean? A well-designed, user-friendly platform that makes betting or gaming intuitive will score high in this category.
Keeping it Canadian (Navigating Provincial Regulations)
Canada’s a big place, and online gambling works a bit differently depending on which province you’re in. Don’t worry – we’re on top of it. Our team stays current with all the Canadian gambling laws and regulations, and we adjust our reviews to fit the local context. Here are some examples:
- Ontario: Ontario became the first province to launch a regulated open market for online casinos and sportsbooks in 2022. Sites operating in Ontario must be licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and run under an iGaming Ontario agreement. In our reviews of Ontario-licensed brands, we strictly adhere to provincial guidelines – for instance, we do not publish any information about bonuses or promotions for Ontario offers, since advertising inducements is prohibited in that market. Instead, our Ontario-focused reviews emphasize aspects like game quality, banking, and user experience while remaining fully compliant with the province’s regulations.
- Alberta: Alberta currently offers only a single provincially regulated online platform (the government-run PlayAlberta website) as its legal option. We review PlayAlberta with the same scrutiny as any other site. We also recognize that many Alberta residents access popular offshore casino and sportsbook sites. While these offshore sites are not licensed by Alberta, it is not illegal for Albertans to play on them. When we review an international site from a Alberta player perspective, we always note its licensing jurisdiction (such as Malta, Isle of Man, Kahnawake, etc.) and assess its safety and reputation so readers understand the risks and protections.
- Other Provinces: Most other provinces and territories have their own single, government-operated online casinos or sportsbooks. For example, British Columbia (and Manitoba via partnership) uses the PlayNow platform run by BCLC, Quebec operates its platform via Loto-Québec (often referred to as Espacejeux), Saskatchewan launched its PlayNow site in 2022 via SaskGaming/SIGA, and the Atlantic provinces use Atlantic Lottery’s online offerings. We review these official sites where available, as they are the locally regulated options. At the same time, players across Canada often sign up at offshore sites to access a wider selection of games or better odds. Our reviews cover many of these international operators as well, always clarifying which sites are provincially regulated and which are offshore. No matter the platform, our evaluation standards (security, fairness, etc.) remain equally stringent.
We Stay Up-to-date
The gambling landscape in Canada is continually evolving – from new provinces considering regulation, to updates in advertising rules or available payment methods. Our review team monitors legal and market developments in real time. We update our content to reflect changes such as newly licensed sites, shifts in provincial laws, or emerging responsible gaming initiatives. This commitment to staying current means our readers can trust that the information on our site is accurate and up-to-date, wherever in Canada they reside.
Why You Can Trust the Reviews at BetCanada.com
Above all, we want our “How We Review” approach to feel like a friend guiding you through the online gambling world. We’re players who love a good casino night or a Saturday of sports betting, and we put that passion into every review.
By personally testing each site and covering all the bases – good and bad – we aim to give you confidence and peace of mind. Consider us your on-the-ground team: we do the heavy lifting of trying out these casinos and sportsbooks with our own cash, so you can pick the right ones without the trial-and-error.
In the end, it’s all about helping you have fun safely. When you read our reviews, you can trust that they come from real experiences and a genuine commitment to making the Canadian online casino and sports betting scene as transparent and enjoyable as possible. Have fun and play safe!
Author
BetCanada Editorial Staff is a team of gambling experts that research, review, and test online gambling products to provide unbiased perspectives to Canadians.