CanadaHow to tell if a new online casino is legit
Wondering if the new online casino you want to play at is trustworthy? We can help you with this. In this article, you’ll find advice about how to tell if a new online casino is legit, including factors such as licensing, ownership, fairness of play, software, customer support, and website appearance and functionality. Keep reading to find out more.
The casino’s licence is registered with a reputable gambling authority
Having a licence from a reputable authority means that an online casino must be dedicated to fair play and the protection of its customers. So, looking at which licence a casino has is a good indicator of whether it’s legit.
So, which are the most reputable jurisdictions behind licenses for new Canadian casinos, and why are they trustworthy? We’ve listed the top licensing authorities below.
- Malta - Established in 1965, this licensing jurisdiction is respected and trustworthy. The Malta Gaming Authority issues the Malta Gaming Licence and is renowned for its stringent conditions.
- Curaçao - Online casino licensing commenced in Curaçao in 1996. Since then, the seven-member Curaçao Gambling Board has become one of the most respected globally, and it only issues licenses to legitimate operators.
- Gibraltar - The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority was created in 2000 and is known as a respected global online casino licensing authority. Its standards ensure that players are protected when they use online casinos that have a Gibraltar licence in place.
- Isle of Man - The Isle of Man Gambling Control Commission has a long and esteemed history. It was founded in 1962 and has since shown its dedication to ensuring fair gambling that’s free from fraud.
You can usually check if an online casino has one of these licenses by looking at the website. Licence details can normally be found at the foot of the homepage.
You can also conduct online research to discover which licence a site has, and you’ll find the information in our reviews of new online casinos in Canada, along with other details that are useful to know before you play.
The owner of the online casino has a trustworthy reputation
As with any service or product, the company behind a new online casino is a good indicator of how legitimate the casino is. We’ve listed some of the most reputable operators of new casinos below, so you know which names to look out for.
- Dama NV - incorporated under Curaçao law and operates new brands Let’s Go Casino and Spin Fever Casino in Canada.
- BV Gaming - a global brand that operates as Bet Victor in some jurisdictions and has a Gibraltar gaming licence. The company has recently launched Wiz Slots casino in Canada.
- Altacore NV - a company with a Curaçao licence that has developed an excellent reputation since it was established in 2019. Altacore NV recently launched SmokAce Casino and SpinsBro Casino in Canada.
- New Era BV - operates with a Curaçao licence and works with more than 55 top casino game software brands. The company launched Olympusbet Casino in Canada in 2023.
We have created a separate article on the companies behind the newest casinos where you can read more about them.
Fair terms and conditions for all players
Before you commit to playing at a new casino, it’s vital to ensure it has fair terms and conditions in place. Legitimate casinos usually list their terms and conditions on their website, so players know what to expect.
When you read a casino’s terms and conditions, look for inclusions such as:
- Sign-up requirements
- Bonus restrictions and terms
- Wagering requirements for bonuses
- Deposit and withdrawal restrictions
- ID requirements
- Fraud and security measures
Casinos that operate legitimately are transparent about their terms and conditions, so nothing should be hidden from you.
Casino games from the most reputable software providers are available
Legitimate new online casinos have games catalogues that include titles from the most reputable software providers. These top providers include:
- Pragmatic Play
- Evolution Gaming
- Play’N Go
- NetEnt
- Microgaming
- Playtech
- Yggdrasil
This list is not exhaustive but it does represent a cross section of the best casino game software providers around.
Reasons for these providers being so highly respected include the quality of the games they create, innovative ideas, excellent graphics and sound, and engaging content such as the inclusion of bonus play. Games from less reputable providers tend to be clunky and basic.
Any legitimate online casino is dedicated to providing the best possible player experience by only using games from top software providers. So, looking at the available games helps you to gauge whether a new site is reliable.
The casino accepts trusted Canadian payment methods
When you deposit money into your online casino account, you want to know your money is safe. Using secure and trusted payment methods ensures this is the case.
Reputable new online casinos recognise this and accept payments using the most trusted Canadian payment methods. These methods include:
- Interac
- Visa
- Mastercard
- PayPal
Enabling deposits using these methods shows that an operator is dedicated to the security of players.
The casino website looks professional and works well
One of the best ways to tell if a new casino is legit is by looking at its website. When you visit the website, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the site have professional looking graphics?
- Is the homepage well-structured and informative?
- Can you easily find all the information you need, such as terms and conditions, licence details, contact details, and payment information?
- Is the site easy to navigate?
- Do the pages load without freezing?
If the online casino is legitimate, you should be able to answer “yes” to these questions.
It is easy to get in contact with the casino
Genuine and trustworthy online casino operators value their customers. So, they ensure that players can easily contact the casino customer service team.
Ideally, you should be able to make this contact using email, live chat, and phone. However, some casinos don’t offer phone support. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not legitimate.
The most important things to look out for are:
- Customer support answers your contact quickly.
- You get clear and accurate responses to your questions.
- Any requests for information or action are dealt with in a timely manner.
- There’s no attempt to hide information or deceive you.
These factors are a good indicator that an online casino is legit.
Online forums give the casino positive feedback overall
People who use online casinos often provide the best insights into how legitimate they are. So, it’s a good idea to check online forums for comments and opinions.
When you do this, don’t rely on just a couple of either very positive or very negative opinions, as they can be based on a personal experience that doesn’t reflect the true situation with an online casino.
Instead, look for comments from a variety of people. Doing this gives you a better idea of the whole picture. If an online casino is legit it will have a positive reputation overall.