Now is an excellent time for aspiring Canadian gambling fans to look into new online casinos in the country. The industry is booming, and the sites and apps available have more features than ever before.

But with the massive number of online casinos out there, it can be a challenge to figure out which platforms are worth using. To help, here’s a simple guide for exploring what exactly makes a Canadian online casino so noteworthy.

Licensing and regulation

Arguably the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing an online casino is if it is operating within the law. In other words, you must always register with an online casino, Canadian or otherwise, that is properly licensed.

The best real money licensed casino sites in Canada will never try to scam their players in any manner. This includes money, personal data or identity. They are well reviewed by major aggregate blogs and by regular customers submitting user reviews.

The difference between a licensed and an unlicensed casino in Canada is huge. Licensed sites are more likely to have been around for years, developing a trustworthy reputation. They are also often partnered with respected software providers. Unlicensed casinos are not only more likely to try and pull a fast one on you but also tend to have outdated games and clunky UIs.

Welcome bonuses, promotions and offers

With so many online casinos around these days, they have to distinguish themselves somehow. Welcome offers are one of the most common ways they do so.

It is very important for online casinos to treat their newest customers well, so that they feel encouraged to keep returning. This is how they build a massive and dedicated userbase. This means that when an online casino has great welcome bonuses, it is a green flag. It shows that the online casino cares about treating its players well.

Even after having been with an online casino for a few weeks, there should still be promotions to take advantage of, long after the initial welcome bonus has been used. This includes VIP or loyalty programs, weekly lotteries and other fun ways to participate and potentially earn more perks and rewards.

Diverse selection of games and software

At the end of the day, an online casino is meant to be a place to game, so you want a site that is filled to the brim with many games, including as many different types of games as possible.

Many of the best online casinos feature hundreds or thousands of different games to play. This is important, as most people want to use just one online casino site that will satisfy all of their gaming needs.

Look for casinos that feature slots, blackjack, baccarat, poker and other famous table or card games. Feel free to also seek out online casinos in Canada that have more advanced games or technology, such as virtual reality or live-streamed poker games, with real live dealers interacting with you from a physical location.

Excellent customer service

As mentioned above, many people want one online casino that serves all their needs over a long period of time, but that will be difficult if the casino in question has limited or subpar customer service. Customer service is the unsung hero of online casinos, and a good representative team can make all the difference between smooth sailing and a persistent headache.

For one thing, customer services at online casinos need to be willing to listen to your feedback. It is a vital part of the process of improving their customer relations. It also helps build trust between the service and the customer, proving that they are willing to listen to your needs.

The other thing is that customer support needs to be able to be contacted via multiple ways, throughout the day and the week. Ideally, an online casino should have 24/7 contact via email, in-app chatrooms and social media accounts dedicated to technical support and other troubleshooting areas. If these matter to you, read the FAQ page of an online casino to see if they offer all of these before registering with them.

Wide variety of payment options and fast payout times

Another important element of the online casino world is the payment option criteria. Like with the game selection, the rule of thumb here is that the more payment options that are available, the better.

More payment options mean more opportunities and more compatibility. You can’t use an online casino if your preferred option is crypto and they do not accept it. You want to see online casinos that accept everything from e-wallets to credit and debit cards, as well as instant banking and Bitcoin.

A wider selection of options usually also means a wider selection of withdrawal speeds. Many people want to get their casino winnings as fast as possible. Though instant withdrawals do exist, they can be uncommon, so try to find an online casino that has payout speeds of 1-2 days maximum. Lastly, be sure to also read user reviews to see how long the payout verification process takes.