From the latest in cutting edge slots to classic tables games that have been around for literally centuries, players in Ontario have a great range of games and online casinos at which to play them. Recent years have seen the numbers grow significantly, both internationally and (especially) domestically thanks to the rise of Ontario’s local casino marketplace. When it comes to rating online casinos, it can be difficult for newcomers to get a handle on what’s what. Here’s how leading casino portal Top10Casinos.ca assesses online betting platforms.
Playing Safe and Fair
Inherently, online casino games incorporate an element of risk. The uncertainty adds a frisson of excitement, and makes the times when a spin comes good all the more thrilling. However, this should be the only aspect of online casino activity that involves risk. Everything else should be trustworthy and reliable. Because online casinos necessarily handle player information, ranging from basic contact details to sensitive financial data, it’s critical those who sign up can feel confident that their details are secure.
Most casinos do have robust security, not only for the obvious purpose of maintaining the integrity of safeguards around financial and personal information, but also because reputational damage of a major breach would be just as costly. Therefore, to be considered highly regarded, or even moderately regarded, an online betting site must employ SSL encryption to shield player data. On a related note, responsive and competent customer support, available through a variety of channels every hour of the day, can help to rapidly remedy any potential concerns a player might have regarding data.
Another section that should not be overlooked is the welcome presence of tools that enable players to take steps to promote their own responsible gaming behaviour. These toolkits vary in specifics from one site to another but commonly include the capacity to set personalized limitations for time spent wagering, deposits, and stakes. By allowing players to determine financial and time restrictions that suit their particular needs, casinos encourage gambling in a responsible and fun way, allowing players to escape the possibility of wagering too much and risking more than they can afford to lose.
Top Software Providers and Games
When rating online casinos perhaps the most obvious factor to consider is the selection of games available at a given platform, and which software providers are contributing. Unlike certain other areas considered, this can be more subjective. Every player wants a site with robust security, but some might prefer live dealer table games while others love the latest slots. Likewise, some casino gamers have a very broad appreciation of betting and love a smorgasbord of different game types, even stretching beyond casino games. For this type, casinos with a sports section and games like bingo, scratch cards, and keno are fantastic thanks to their broad offering.
In general terms, slots are the top dog in the online casino world and are certainly the most numerous game type available at online casinos. Among the most popular software developers in this field are IGT, Microgaming, and NetEnt. Microgaming lays claim to being the first pioneer in the field, and with three decades of experience they have an enormous portfolio of games. IGT started out with real world slot machines before expanding into the online realm, and are known for their branded slots. Another huge provider of slots is NetEnt, with games such as Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst becoming smash hit games.
In addition to slots, table games are present at pretty much every casino, though the selection of games can vary from tiny to enormous. Regular table games are against the RNG of the game, whereas live dealer tables feature a real dealer and table plus multiple players. Evolution Gaming is the biggest beast in this jungle with thousands of table games in numerous languages. As with regular table games, blackjack and roulette are the most popular choices at online casinos in Ontario.
Trustworthy Banking Systems
Wanting money to be safe is an ever-present desire, whether in the real world or transferring funds to and from an online casino. Losing out in a game of chance is one thing, being robbed by a thief (whether that’s a mugger or a hacker) is altogether worse. Casinos in Ontario provided a range of safe banking methods to enable players to use their own preferred means of personal finance. This should always be checked prior to signing up as most players are irked if a new method has to be employed rather than an existing one with the account already created.
Among the foremost categories of payment types in Canada are debit and credit cards, e-wallets, pre-paid vouchers, and bank transfers. In recent years, cryptocurrencies have also been presented as deposit and withdrawal options at an increasing number of online betting platforms. When it comes to crypto there’s a clear market leader in casino terms, and that is Bitcoin. Many casinos only offer a single cryptocurrency in the form of Bitcoin, which can be used to make both deposits and withdrawals rapidly. This speed of access coupled with high security has seen its popularity rise significantly recently, although it does still lag behind other methods when it comes to availability.
Interac is an interesting banking method because it is specific to Canada (in the same way iDEAL is for the Dutch alone). As with Bitcoin, there’s a fast transfer speed, capacity for transfers both into and out of online betting sites, and high security when using Interac. A variety of e-wallets are supported as banking methods at online casinos, and PayPal is top dog for Canadians. Because it can be used for paying and receiving salary, and for online shopping, many players already have PayPal accounts which makes it one of the most convenient financial options.
Bonuses
One of the most valuable areas that casino portals can assess better than a newcomer to the online casino scene is bonuses. Promotions are offered at pretty much every online casino, and some seem extremely generous. While some are just as good as they appear, discerning wheat from chaff here is more difficult than it may appear. Bonuses come in many types, with welcome bonuses for new players often consisting either of a match deposit promo or free spins, or both bundled together. In a smaller way, these can also be offered on a recurring basis to existing players.
The difficulty rests in the associated conditions. Most of these are fair and as one might expect. For example, every promotion has a time limit but this is normally long enough that it is not really a problem for a player. But there are a couple that can trip up players and one that can radically reduce the value of a promotion depending on the specific details. Progressive jackpot slots have life-changing sums as the top prize, and are a top pick for players from Ontario. But they often fall foul of the withdrawal cap (an upper ceiling on bonus winnings) of a promo. That said, some bonuses specifically forbid wagering on these games, while others not only permit it but even exclude the jackpot from the withdrawal cap and enable the player to keep the lot.
The wagering requirement is more likely to come up as a potential problem, though. This applies to almost every bonus, and is the total sum that must be wagered before either the initial promo cash or any ensuing winnings can be withdrawn. A good standard is 30x the value of a promotion ($300 for a free cash deal of $10). The higher this is, the longer it takes to satisfy. Worse is that it also reduces the chances of finishing ahead. Because of the expertise and experience casino portals have looking over these deals, they can offer very useful insights into whether a promo really is as good as the headline figure.
Licensing
How a casino is licensed is both incredibly easy to check and very important. The way a casino is licensed is heavily indicative of its trustworthiness and how well regulated it is, and the absence of any licence at all is a cause for major concern (by itself, this is justification to avoid signing up at a betting site). In Ontario, licensing may occur via iGaming Ontario (iGO), a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Internationally, licensing from Gibraltar, Malta, or the United Kingdom means regulation by the global gold tier of online gaming authorities.
Less critical than licensing but still a very positive sign if present is affiliation with an auditing firm. Because casino games run on RNG (random number generator) it’s vital these are truly random and not unfairly to the advantage of the casino. Major auditing firms such as TST or eCOGRA independently test and verify this is the case, meaning affiliation is strong evidence a casino is running things above board.
Licensing, banking methods, games, bonuses, and safe and responsible gaming are all key factors online casino portals like TopCasinos.ca weigh up when reviewing the best online betting sites.
