How We Rate Slot Sites in Canada
Online slots, with their captivating themes, spinning reels, and significant real money winning possibilities, are the type of entertainment casino lovers typically crave. After all, online slots are the most popular type of casino game. When we review the best online casinos in Canada, we take note of those casinos with a particularly strong selection of slots, creating a list of the best slot sites.
Hereโs how we know an online casino in Canada deserves to be on our best slot sites list:
โ Feature-loaded slot games?
The evolution of online slots over the last 10 to 15 years has seen some dramatic developments in the complexity and inventiveness of game mechanics. The best real money slots are usually loaded with exciting features, such as cascading reels, pay clusters, scatter symbols, wild multipliers, and unique free spins rounds. When we look at a casinoโs library, we like to see online slots with a variety of special features and rank higher at those casinos that offer options for all of our favourite game mechanics and bonus features.
โ Variety of slot volatilities?
Real money slots are always given a volatility rating, which indicates the slotโs win-frequency and the amount of real money those wins are worth. The best online slots libraries will feature games with the greatest variety of volatilities, and we rate slot sites accordingly.
This is how those levels are understood:
- Low-volatility: these online slots offer the most frequent real money wins, but with generally the smallest payouts.
- Medium-volatility: these slots strike a balance, providing less frequent wins than low-volatility games, but with usually larger payouts.
- High-volatility slots: these slots feature the least frequent wins, but for the largest real money payouts.
โ High RTP value?
A slotโs Return To Player (RTP) is a percentage that indicates the amount of every 100 credits bet that is expected to be returned to the player as winnings. This amount, though, is based on computer algorithms that play thousands of spins on the slot to find the average, so the RTP is, therefore, never guaranteed. What is returned to the player as real money could be more or less, in other words.
When we review online slot sites in Canada, we always look for libraries containing the most high RTP slots, as they give players the best odds of winning the most, and we want our readers to win the most they can.
โ Paylines and maximum win amounts?
We like to see online slots with more paylines and with high maximum win amounts, as both usually indicate better chances of winning. A slot with more paylines has more opportunities to win. Slots with high maximum win amounts pay out larger amounts relative to the bet. When it comes to slot sites, therefore, we like to see libraries with both types of slots.
โ Licensed and regulated?
Player safety is always a top priority for our team. That’s why we begin every one of our casino reviews by investigating the casinoโs security measures. There are no slot sites in Canada worth playing at that arenโt licensed by a recognized regulatory authority.
Types of Online Slots in Canada
To know what weโre looking for in a casinoโs library, we need to know the different slot types and verify whether a casino offers them and what the casino’s selection is like. These are the most popular types of games and the ones we expect the best slot sites in Canada to offer:
Bonus buy slots
This is the most popular type of slot around today, and generally, every slot can offer this feature. Bonus buy slots are online slots that allow players to purchase the gameโs special feature. Itโs a way to skip the wait and get straight into the good stuff. Typically, they cost between 50x and 500x the wager amount.
Try these bonus buy slots available at online casinos in Canada:
Hold and win slots
Hold and win slots first arrived on the scene in 2019, quickly establishing itself as a mainstay slot type, warranting its own game category at all of the best online slot sites. The hold and win feature is a simple mechanic but one that can result in massive rewards, which is why it is so popular. When the feature is triggered, the slotโs reels hold specific symbols in position while spinning the symbols in the remaining positions a random number of times โ all the while handing out wins on every spin.
Try these hold and win slots available at casinos in Canada:
Progressive jackpot slots
Progressive jackpot slots offer truly gargantuan rewards. Every wager on a participating slot contributes a portion of the bet to a shared pot that spans multiple casinos, multiple countries, and usually multiple games. That pot grows progressively larger at a rapid rate because of the number of players contributing to it at every moment. Any spin on any of the participating games at any casino in any country can randomly win the jackpot, typically in the millions. This feature adds an entirely separate real money-winning possibility to the participating slots.
Try these progressive jackpots at slot sites in Canada:
Megaways slots
Big Time Gaming originally developed megaways slots in 2015 with Dragon Born, but it wasnโt popularized until a year later when Bonanza caught the attention of the masses. Since Big Time Gaming has licensed the technology to allow other providers to utilize the incredibly versatile mechanic.
Indeed, the standout feature of Megaways is the mechanicโs adaptability, which can be applied to already existing slots and used to invent new games. Typically, these megaways slots feature a 6-reel setup and can offer up to 117,649 paylines, depending on the arrangement. We said they were adaptable.
Whatโs even more unique is that these slots are also notable for their variable paylines, meaning you can’t predict how many active paylines will be available on any given spin.
Try these bonus buy slots at online casinos in Canada:
Cluster slots
To hit a winning spin, online slots typically require lining up matching symbols across paylines left to right. However, a more recent phenomenon, cluster slots operate differently. As opposed to paylines, matching symbols must form groups of touching symbols, or โclusters,โ to win. Itโs a different dynamic that many players find easier to follow than the typical payline mechanics.
Try these cluster slots at slot casinos in Canada (but donโt ask us why theyโre all Christmas-themed!):
5-reel slots
90% of all online slots have 5 reels, so weโre talking about a large group of slots here. This setup, though, allows for more paylines and features, and the industry has recognized the sweet spot 5-reel slots provide: adding a 6th reel seems too complicated for a lot of players, and 4-reel slots donโt have quite the number of possibilities to have the same mass appeal. 5-reel slots are more universally loved.
Try these 5-reel slots available at casinos in Canada:
Classic slots and fruit machines
The term “classic slots” refers to online casino games that mimic the traditional fruit machines featured in original land-based casinos. These games feature recognizable fruit symbols, like cherries, watermelons, grapes, oranges, and lemons, along with other classic icons like bars, bells, and 7s. Now, that doesn’t mean they are all old slots, as new slots continue to adopt these traditional features.
Try these classic slots and fruit machines in Canada:
Real money slots
The slots above can all be played for real money at casinos in Canada, but hereโs our top 5 real money slots in Canada today:
Best Online Slots
When reviewing the best slot sites, those that offer the best online slots, of course, always finish near the head of the class. So, we want slot sites that feature a variety of slots with exciting features, high RTPs, many paylines, and high maximum win amounts. We also want to see highly popular slots.
Here are a few examples of slots that fit such a description:
Gates of Olympus by Pragmatic Play
If you’re looking for a popular online slot in Canada, you may not find one more popular than Pragmatic Play‘s Gates of Olympus. There are no fixed paylines nestled in the cloudy mountains of Greece, where this game takes place. Instead, Pragmatic Play utilizes a ‘pay anywhere’ feature, where a combination of 8 or more symbols anywhere on the reels functions as a win.
The maximum win amount in Gates of Olympus is 5,000x the bet, which, while not the highest amount, is good. The slot’s RTP is 96.5%, landing it well within the high RTP category. With a tumble feature, free spins round, and a bonus buy feature, Gates of Olympus offers fantastic features, clearly contributing to its overall popularity.
Seeing Gates of Olympus in a casino’s library means Pragmatic Play is a partner, a staple provider for the best slot sites.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways by NetEnt and Red Tiger
NetEntโs Gonzoโs Quest was so popular, the provider teamed up with Red Tiger to add a megaways mechanic to the game, creating Gonzo’s Quest Megaways. Let’s check a few great characteristics this one owns off our checklist: Gonzo’s Quest Megaways has 117,649 ways to win, a maximum win of 21,000x the bet, and an RTP of 96%. That’s a check, check, check.
The slot is also loaded with special features, including an avalanche multiplier feature, an earthquake feature, and a free spins round. That checks a big box in an impressive way for us. While not as popular as Gates of Olympus, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways is still incredibly popular, but provides a hint that the casino’s library offers more than merely the obvious, and has made efforts to ensure it’s a slot site with variety.
Book of 99 by Relax Gaming
Winning is the name of the game, though, and in some ways, the ultimate measuring stick is a slot’s RTP. Well, Relax Gaming‘s Book of 99 lives up to its name while measuring extremely well on the high RTP stick. It’s a slot with an RTP of 99%!
Known for developing high-quality, engaging slots, Relax Gaming provides another with Book of 99. The slot’s slick graphics and potential max win of 12,075x make up for the slot’s limited number of paylines (10). The special features add everything else we hope to see from a great slot. The game’s expanding symbols add huge payouts during the free spins round, and the Wild collection metre pretty much ensures that if you play Book of 99 long enough, you will be paid out handsomely with 99 free spins. Sign us up.
When we review casinos that offer uber-high RTP games, like Book of 99, we feel those casinos are ensuring rewarding experiences for their players.
If you’re looking at slot sites and find one with all three of the above games, then you are probably looking at a casino with a reliable library, loaded with popular titles and exciting options.
Real Money Online Slots vs. Free Online Slots
One of the best ways to learn about online slots is by playing for free. Most online slot casinos in Canada allow players to access the best slots in demo mode, which means they can play without making a deposit.
Most likely you’ll need an account with the casino before being able to play for free.
| Real money online slots | Free online slots |
|---|---|
| โ๏ธ Players can win a good amount of money. | โ๏ธ Players can try games before spending their money. |
| โ๏ธ Players can receive welcome bonuses, free spins, and loyalty rewards. | โ Free play games are not eligible for casino bonuses and loyalty rewards. |
| โ Players can lose a lot if they don’t play responsibly. | โ๏ธ Allows for anonymous play without sharing personal or banking information. |
| โ๏ธ Players can play progressive slots. | โ Players miss the opportunity to win large jackpots and other significant prizes. |
Play Online Slots on Mobile Devices
HTML5 technology enables online slots to adapt seamlessly to any screen size, keeping a perfect display with all features and functions intact. This means you can play at online casinos in Canada on smartphones, tablets, and computers without downloading additional software. Top mobile casinos offer the flexibility to play directly through your device’s browser or by downloading a casino app.
1. Casino Friday – where every day is Friday!
With thousands of casino games, most of them online slots, Casino Friday delivers a superb mobile experience. All of the games are optimized for mobile use and deliver the same quality as playing from your desktop. Android and iOS users can also download the casino’s dedicated app.
2. Shotz – we came to get slunk!
Ok, while not exactly LMFAO featuring Lilโ Jon, this casino still rocks. While Shotz doesnโt have a mobile app, the website incorporates touchscreen technology effortlessly and works smoothly no matter the screen. Shotz also has thousands of slots, so itโs a great mobile slots site to try.
3. Casinolo – thousands of slots at your fingertips!
Casinolo has thousands of slots and a smooth and attractive mobile version. The casino also has a vast selection of exclusive slots to stand out amongst other slot sites in Canada.
Top Software Providers for Online Slot Games
Every slot provider brings its unique style to the forefront of its games. While some prioritize entertainment, graphics, and design, others emphasize jackpots and win amounts, and others, still, focus on mechanics, loading games with special features.
Our top-recommended casinos host slots from numerous game providers. Hereโs our picks for the best game developers providing slots in Canada:
| Slot Provider | Brief description |
|---|---|
| NetEnt | NetEnt is a Swedish studio founded in 1996 and a pioneer of online casino gaming. The studioโs titles can be found at almost every casino mentioned in our slot site reviews. |
| Yggdrasil | Yggdrasil is a studio focused on creating unique slots with special gamification features and exquisite designs, themes, and graphics. The studio aims for quality over quantity and consistently delivers top-quality slots. |
| Big Time Gaming | Known for inventing the now ubiquitous Megaways mechanic, Big Time Gaming is another smaller studio that focuses on quality over quantity. Gaming behemoth Evolution is now the providerโs parent company. |
| iSoftBet | As an experienced provider, iSoftBet is known favourite among both slots and table game players. It has a moderate selection of typically exciting titles. |
| Hacksaw Gaming | Hacksaw Gaming is renowned for its slot innovations. The provider offers high-paying games with immersive gameplay and creative features. |
Legality and Safety of Online Slot Sites in Canada
While the ideal casino offers a near-endless range of slot options, online slot sites must also be safe for play in Canada. These are the safety and transparency measures we look for when reviewing online casinos:
Are online slots legal to play in Canada?
In Canada, playing online slots isnโt illegal. Regulators, like the Kahnawร ke Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, ensure that the casinos they licence are safe for players in Canada.
The licence indicates that the casino has met various security standards and safety protocols. Slot sites with licences are also required to include responsible gambling features that promote healthy playing habits and deter unsafe and irresponsible behaviour among players.
The first thing our experts look for when reviewing an online casino is whether it is licensed, and we do not review casinos without one. If the casino is licensed, it is safe to play in Canada.
Are online slots safe to play?
Absolutely! The online slots market in Canada is highly competitive, and game providers design slots to extremely high standards as a result. Their games must be trustworthy to be successful. Online slots are thus driven by Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair results.
Every slot also undergoes rigorous testing and certification by independent third-party auditors, such as eCogra and iTech Labs, to verify its RNGโs validity and further guarantee the slotโs fairness.
Tips for Playing Online Slots in Canada
We play enough slots when writing our reviews to know how to get the most out of our playing experience. These are the tips weโve learnt along the way:
- Choose the online slot carefully:
- Slots are entirely based on chance, and there arenโt many tactics that can affect the outcome. However, knowing the gameโs RTP, volatility, maximum win, and mechanics can prepare you to enjoy the game more, so investigate those and choose the most favourable games and the best payout slots.
- Make sure to learn the lingo:
- Understanding common slot terminology will make grasping the games and their pay tables easier.
- Keep an eye out for bonuses:
- Casino bonuses are primarily designed for slot players and provide extra cash and free spins to boost account balances, often doubling your initial real money deposit, if not more.
- Make use of free spins:
- Free spins are often included, alongside deposit matches, in casino welcome bonuses and reload bonuses and are also offered as standalone bonuses. They offer players the opportunity to try online slots without spending any real money.
- Aim for smaller jackpots:
- Knowing a slotโs volatility is essential. Slots with high-volatility typically have bigger jackpots but win less often, whereas low-volatility slots offer smaller jackpots but pay out more frequently. Always select according to your preference.
- Practice for free:
- Free slots mirror their real money counterparts in every aspect, including the betting options, RTP, bonus triggers, and more. They offer an excellent opportunity to figure out how a slot works before playing with real money.
- Watch streamers play:
- Streamers interact with their audience by describing various strategies, discussing game features, and sharing their victories or defeats. In so doing, they provide opportunities to learn best practices.
- Set a budget and play responsibly:
- Always a winning strategy, players should choose slots that accommodate their spending limit. A helpful guideline is to ensure you have enough for 500 bets before playing; otherwise, it is best not to play.
- Always a winning strategy, players should choose slots that accommodate their spending limit. A helpful guideline is to ensure you have enough for 500 bets before playing; otherwise, it is best not to play.
| Did You Know? |
|---|
| Responsible gambling initiatives urge players to view gambling as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. If you need gambling assistance or advice, please connect with GambleAware. |
Let’s Start Playing at Slot Sites!
Canadian players have thousands of online slot sites at their fingertips. These casinos feature games that are packed with innovative features to keep gameplay exciting and provide unique ways to win. We review the best slot sites in Canada, so players like you can join us at them, whether with real money, casino bonus money, or for free.
So, find a licensed casino or choose from our recommendations, and start playing at slot sites!
Frequently Asked Questions
