Best Casino Bonuses in Canada March 2023

A casino bonus is an offer provided by online casinos that give you some sort of advantage. It will usually be in the form of additional funds or free spins for slots, but there are other varieties.

Most (if not all) operators use these as a way to attract players to their sites. Initial casino welcome bonuses tend to be the most generous. However, in such a competitive market, the best online casinos showcase plenty of regular promotions too.

The best casino bonuses online are easy to understand. They come with clear and concise terms and conditions so players can be sure of what the offer entails.

It does depend on the bonus type too. A reload bonus, for example, works differently from a cashback bonus. In saying that, all offers follow a similar pattern.

You will need to:

• Perform an action (register, deposit, play a certain game, etc.)
• Get the bonus (deposit boost, free spins, cashback)
• Complete the wagering requirements (if any)
• Meet all other terms of the offer (this could include the deposit, so check the terms first)
• Unlock or withdraw any potential winnings

The specifics of each promotion will be different, so do keep that in mind. In our casino reviews, we go into detail on every bonus, comparing the terms to the rest of the market. Therefore, you can make an informed decision when choosing which bonus suits you.

The casino bonuses Canada has available are plentiful and easy to claim. Simply follow our how-to steps:

1. Pick a casino bonus from one of our recommended sites
2. Carefully read the terms
3. Register for a new account (if it’s a welcome offer)
4. Verify your identity if requested
5. Check for a bonus code and enter it if needed
6. Deposit via an eligible method (or receive a no-deposit bonus at this stage)
7. Get the bonus
8. Complete the wagering requirements
9. Withdraw winnings - if any

So, what bonuses should you expect? Our experts have highlighted the most common bonus types and explained each below. This will give you an idea of what casino bonuses Canada offers players.

Let’s start at the beginning. Casino welcome bonuses, sometimes known as sign-up bonuses or new player offers are the most popular. They tend to be in the form of deposit matches up to a high amount. And sometimes with the addition of free spins too. Furthermore, it can be across a number of deposits.

New casinos use this as a tool to attract players, so you’ll find that they can be better than some of the most established sites. In saying that, the best casino bonuses can come from well-known operators. This is down to the terms of the offer. Although new sites promote high percentage offers, the minimum deposits or wagering requirements can be above average.

The Vulkan Vegas deposit bonus, for example, is tiered across the first two deposits a player makes:

• 1st deposit: 100% up to $300 + 50 Free Spins
• 2nd deposit: 200% up to $700 + 100 Free Spins. 

You don’t need to go as high as the maximum bonus amount. If you deposit $50, you’ll get an extra $50 in bonus. As well as the free spins. This makes it flexible for players of different bankroll levels.

This is an example of a generous welcome bonus. Not all offer deposit matches on all deposits, with some reducing to around 50%. In saying that, some online casino bonuses can be as high as a 1,000% deposit match! In those cases, we would recommend reading the terms carefully as the bonus might be too good to be true and be too difficult to turn into a real return.

This is exactly what you'd expect, given the name. You do not need to deposit funds to claim this type of bonus. However, you will need to register and verify your identity before making a withdrawal (should you win).

A no deposit bonus is highly sought after since you have the chance to win real cash without any risk. In our experience, they are normally free spins, but we have seen bonus amounts too.

It’s worth noting that there will be wagering requirements attached and the value will be relatively low. By that, we mean the free spins amount per spin will be one of the lowest values, for example $0.10. It is free though, so these are worth taking if you come across them.

One of our expert's top no deposit bonuses is offered by 888Casino. Players receive 88 free spins on registration and have the chance to win up to $500. This is higher than most and the wagering is achievable.

Free spins are the easiest promotion to understand. These are spins awarded by the casino provider on a set slot or slots. Simply load the game and the free spins will be available.

The value of the free spins will vary, but don’t be surprised if these are set to the lowest amount. Understandably, casinos don't provide free spins worth $10 a spin to new players as these produce larger win possibilities.

Beyond the welcome offer, however, free spins are awarded at the discretion of the casino. Often bonuses are tailored to your gameplay so if you usually play for a decent amount, then the value of your free spins might be higher. Although we should point out this is not guaranteed.

Find out more about free spins.

A reload bonus can go by many different names, but it is effectively a deposit boost. You ‘reload’ your account with a new deposit and the casino gives you an extra percentage on top - in bonus funds.

Unlike free spins, there are always wagering requirements on these. These are usually reserved for loyalty bonuses or offered on a weekly basis depending on where you play. For example, N1casino offers a reload bonus on both Monday and Friday to all players.

You may notice that new casinos promote very generous welcome bonuses. This is because they need to be heard in a very noisy market. Most online casinos provide good bonuses, so new casinos use these as a way to stand out.

Are they better than established casinos? Sometimes, yes. But not always. It’s important to understand the full picture when it comes to a new site. Is it safe? Does the site run well? Is the game library good enough? These all contribute to the overall value of a bonus.

If you’re a high-stakes player, then a high-roller, VIP bonus could come your way. We’ve reviewed dozens of casinos and the best sites all have a VIP program.

Climb the tiers of the VIP system and earn yourself bigger and better bonuses. You can expect:

• Cashback on losses or wins
• Birthday gifts
• Money can’t buy experiences (tickets to exclusive events)
• GadgetsFaster withdrawal times
• On-hand account manager

These are usually based on a points system where you earn points when you play.

The good news is that you don’t have to be a VIP to take part. The tier system will often start small, so there’s a chance to get rewards by playing regularly at the same casino.

This offer returns a percentage of your net losses over a set period of time. The amount can vary but is often 10% or 25%.

Casino cashback is usually given in bonus funds with wagering, but we have seen a few offers giving cash. If you receive it back as cash, this means there are no wagering requirements attached - which is excellent.

Cashback offers are a common occurrence at online casinos and are usually offered in simple time periods.

• Daily cashback - losses on a day
• Weekly cashback - losses over a Monday-Sunday week
• Monthly cashback - losses over the promotional month

We like this type of offer as it is a reward for your regular play. Meaning you don’t have to play a specific game (although there may be restrictions on this).

You may also get this promotion as a profit boost. It works in the same way, but it is a percentage boost to your net winnings.

Live casino promotions can be slightly different from regular casino bonuses. First of all, they can only be used on live dealer games.

Second of all, the wagering tends to be higher. This is because the maximum bet is also usually higher, meaning wagering should theoretically be easier to achieve. On average, the wagering requirement is around 50x on live casinos.

Quite often the live casino is not eligible for regular casino bonus wagering. If you prefer live casinos, then keep an eye out for special offers.

The terms of a bonus determine how good the offer really is. But what do you need to look out for? These are the key terms to consider when looking for a casino bonus:

• Wagering requirements - How many times you have to play through your deposit amount before being able to withdraw
• Minimum deposit - The minimum you can deposit to take advantage of the offer
• Maximum withdrawal - The cap on winnings from bonus funds Maximum bet limit - How much you can bet per spin/hand
• Deposit method restrictions - What payment options are eligible for the offer
• Eligible games - Which games you can play to meet the wagering requirements
• Expiry dates - The time you have to satisfy all terms of the promotion.

It is important that you understand what wagering requirements are. They can also sometimes be known as turnover. This indicates how many times you have to play through your deposit or bonus amount before being able to withdraw funds. Until then, your bonus winnings are locked.

The industry average is around 35x, but this can be much higher depending on the casino you’re playing at.

Let’s take an example. You deposit $50 and receive a $50 dollar bonus and the terms state 35x wagering on the bonus.

• $50 x 35 = $1,750

You would be required to play $1,750 before you can unlock your winnings. This is standard and will apply to most bonuses. Although some casinos may also apply it to deposit + bonus.

• $50 + $50 x 35 = $3,500

As you can see, that dramatically increases your wagering amount. So, make sure you read the terms of an offer carefully.

Online casinos will set a minimum deposit amount for bonuses. Bear in mind that this can be higher than the standard minimum deposit on site. Again, this should be clear in the terms.

Pay extra attention to this term in welcome offers as this is where the minimum deposit can be set highest.

You may notice a maximum withdrawal term within bonus terms. This relates to the maximum winnings you can earn from a particular bonus. Not all bonuses include this term, but we’ve seen enough to know that it often is.

In our experience, this term is included in welcome offers and free spin promotions mostly. The cap can range from $100 to $1,000, but the casino can set this to whatever they want.

Set by casinos on bonuses, this limits players to how much they can place on a single bet. For example, it may be set to $5 for a hand of blackjack or $5 per spin on a slot.

This is common on bonuses and is something you will need to check. If you normally play high-stakes slots, the bonus might not be for you if it’s set very low.

Not all casino payment methods will be accepted for certain promotions, although most will be. It’s just something to keep in mind, especially if you prefer a lesser known deposit method.

Find out which casino games you can spend your money on ahead of time. This will save you from wondering why your wagering requirement isn’t going down as you would expect.

Not all games are equal when it comes to wagering as they contribute differently. It sounds complicated, but it’s easy once you know. What each game type contributes will be clearly stated. Normally it will look something like this:

Slots - 100%
Roulette - 50%
Blackjack - 50%
Other table games - 10%
Live casino games - 0%

Of course, this can vary depending on the operator. But, if we take this as an example. You deposit $100 and there is a 35x wagering requirement.

If you play slots at 100%: $100 x 35 = $3,500

If you play table games at 10%: $100 x 35 = $35,000

Your total wagering amount increases 10-fold. This is clearly a big difference so pick your games carefully.

In the past, bonus codes were popular with online casinos, but that trend has come to an end. Online casinos now automate bonuses meaning you can claim them simply by following the steps.

If a bonus code is needed, then you will be prompted to enter it. In the rare event that it is not a pop-up, you may need to head to the “my account” section of the site and enter it there.

The best online casino bonuses Canada has to offer aren’t always easy to find. All the sites that we recommend have been thoroughly tested so those are bonuses that you can trust. If you’re doing your own research then look for:

• A bonus offered in $
• Reasonable wagering requirements (35x is a good starting point)
• A wide range of game eligibility
• A low minimum deposit
• Achievable time limit
• Decent percentage boost and up to a good amount

If you are happy with all of the above, then the bonus should be good. Keep in mind that a high deposit boost or high amount doesn’t instantly mean a great casino bonus. Make sure you read the terms to ensure it offers value.

1. Pick a trusted casino to play at
2. Select the bonus that meets your gameplay preferences
3. Deposit what you’re comfortable with, not necessarily the maximum amount
4. Play games that contribute 100% towards wagering
5. Read the terms carefully before depositing

Casino bonuses are a great way to get started at a new casino and to be rewarded for loyalty.

The best casino bonuses are easy to understand and should offer you value compared with not taking an offer.

If you want to know more about a specific casino bonus, check out our top ten casinos and read the reviews.