Best Casino Apps
Casino apps bring the excitement of a live venue to the comfort and privacy of your phone. While there are many options, no two apps are exactly the same. Important differences, not just in the quality of games, but also in how the casino app itself performs can have a major impact on your playing experience.
The purpose of this article is not only to call superior apps to your attention but also to help you better understand how you can find a good app on your own. Below, you will find ten of the best current casino apps around.
While the focus will be to point out casino app Canada iterations, many of the options highlighted below are offered globally.
Best Casino Apps Canada (October 2024)
How to Choose a Casino App
Casino applications can contain as much variety as their land-based counterparts. Not only do these variations impact the feel of the best apps casino Canada selection but they can have very real implications for how safe the games are to play.
In this section of the article, we point out key considerations that we use to evaluate casinos and explain why you should focus on them when making your gaming choices.
Live Dealers
Some of the best real money casino apps use live dealers to recreate the land-based feel. Live dealers work out of a studio setting, usually configured to look like a physical casino. There will be tables and games in the background, and in the foreground, a table operated by a living person, who deals out the cards and manages the games.
Typically, you can see the dealer, but they cannot see you. All of the fundamental aspects of the games remain the same. Your game of choice will have the same odds and rules, it will simply have an extra human element.
Players choose live dealer games for many reasons, including:
- Transparency. While high-quality applications are just as trustworthy as any land-based casino, a degree of skepticism is natural for many players who are new to online gaming. How can one be sure that an algorithm is behaving fairly? The physical sight of a living person handing out cards often assuages that fear, adding an extra layer of transparency to the equation.
- Human contact. Casinos aren’t just a place to game. They are also a social location, where people are free to mingle with one another at the bar or make new friends at the table. This happens naturally at land-based venues but is harder to recreate online. Live dealer games can help bridge that issue, putting faces to names and allowing players the opportunity to mingle at a higher level.
- An easier transition. If you love casino gaming but haven’t spent much time playing online before, live dealer games can serve as a much softer transition. The atmosphere might not replicate the Vegas Strip, but it is a convincing alternative for people who want a land-based feel from the comfort of their homes.
Players should note that live dealer games have their cons as well. For one thing, most online casinos will be fairly limited in the number of live dealer games that they can run. it requires a good deal of physical infrastructure to run these tables—both in terms of labour and location. Consequently, you may need to wait to join live dealer tables.
The games are usually a little slower as well. This is thanks to the human element of playing with an actual person instead of an algorithm.
Reputation
The reputation of the mobile casinos Canada offers has a significant impact on how the casino performs. While casinos can look very similar at a cursory glance, meaningful differences will emerge over time that only long-term players will be aware of.
Maybe the customer support page looks a lot better than it actually is. Maybe there are frequent withdrawal delays, or tiny inconveniences that amount to a subpar experience. These are the types of considerations that can’t always be gleaned simply by trying a casino out for a few days.
To get the best idea of what sort of long-term experience a casino provides it is a good idea to take existing player’s opinions into account. There are many online sources where you can go and read reviews and discussions concerning various online casinos.
When it comes to finding the best casino app, Canada-based users will want to find products with a good reputation.
Payment Method Options
If you are new to the world of online gambling, it may be easy to discount how important a wide selection of payment method options can be. To make online transactions, you need to hand over a lot of sensitive banking-related information. We all know that even reputable internet sites can have serious security limitations.
Consequently, many online gamblers choose to use e-wallets—applications that keep their payment information safe and anonymous.
While most online casinos will accept some e-wallets, the ability to use the one of your choosing can be pretty hit-and-miss. If using a specific payment method is important to you, you may need to shop around a little bit.
Player Bonuses
Bonuses are a big part of online gambling. There are many different ways that casinos like to reward their players. These include:
- Sign-up bonuses. Players are given free credits simply for making an account.
- Deposit matching. The player gets a credit proportionate to the deposit they have made.
- Free spins/bets/games. The player gets a chance to play a game for free, usually as a reward for having played a particular game for a long time.
- Player leaderboards. A system that rewards players for sticking around and making many bets over a predetermined period of time.
- Payment method-specific bonuses. Sometimes, casinos will run promotions that are specific to your payment method. You might be given more credits for making your deposit through a specific vendor. Similarly, some payment methods are excluded from receiving bonuses. Often, it is e-wallets that fall into this latter category. You can usually learn more about what sort of payment-method-related policies a casino has by looking into what existing players have to say.
As you can see, different promotions favour different types of players. If you are a newcomer, you might find sign-up or deposit-matching bonuses more enticing. If you play a lot, you will be better served by bonuses that reward continuous betting.
While player bonuses are a good opportunity to play with house money, they are not issued as a way of being charitable. If you look closely, you will notice that almost all of the promotions described above are designed to get you to play more than you otherwise might have.
Be sensible, and make sure you use promotions only to your own advantage.
Gambling Safety Features
Online casinos often make a point of helping players game safely. When it comes to finding the best casino app, Ontario-based users should look for safety features like the following:
- Pre-set maximums. The ability to set a maximum daily wager makes it easier to stick to a budget. Casino games are fast-paced which can make it very difficult to monitor how much you are spending. Daily maximums allow you to set a budget and then safely lose yourself in play.
- Scheduled breaks. Some of the best casino apps in Canada will also allow you to pre-schedule breaks. For example, you might have breaks turned on every thirty minutes. This gives players the opportunity to step out of the game and make a more informed decision on if they want to continue playing.
- Gambling addiction support services. Online casinos may also offer resources and support-related information for players who feel they are suffering from gambling addiction. These support materials may help you recognize the signs that you are no longer playing responsibly.
- Age-verification technology. At registration, players are required to supply information that confirms their age. This will depend both on where you are playing and on the application itself. The best mobile casinos tend to appreciate the need for good age verification services. This will often include not only driver’s license submissions but also video evidence that you are the person shown in the photo ID.
Safety features are a good way to enjoy gambling responsibly. However, players are ultimately responsible for their own decisions.
Customer Support
Most online casinos do global business. However, they will of course have a home base country where they head their operations. If you see that an online casino has 9-5 customer support, but they are located in Australia, it may be very difficult for you to access their reps from Canada.
Most casinos will provide multiple points of contact. This can include everything from email, phone calls, live chat, and even Chatbots. The more methods of contact that are available, the easier time you will usually have reaching them.
Transparency
Casinos are required to supply players with the odds of their games. Some will do so without being asked, placing the “Return to Player” number proudly beside the game’s name. Others may require you to dig around for the information.
While this isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, it is, perhaps, a minor red flag. It’s generally best to find casinos that prioritize transparency.
Game Selection Variety
While most casinos will have the same basic set of games, the actual variety can range enormously. Some will feature thousands of options. Most of them will probably be slot variations, bigger catalogues may also feature more obscure games from around the world.
A big catalogue makes it easier to try new things and find old favourites.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is not available on all mobile casino apps. However, it is a nice feature for people who like to bet on their favourite games. The best sport betting apps will allow you to make many different types of wagers on games all over the world.
Some even allow you to live stream the games you have bet on, making the experience a little livelier.
How to Use a Casino App
Using a casino app is straightforward and can be broken down into several simple steps:
Step 1: Identify a casino app that accommodates your interests. Carefully vet all applications based on the criteria included in this article to find an application that is both safe and enjoyable.
Step 2: Verify your age. Casino applications are required to verify your age to make sure that you are eligible to make bets. Sometimes the verification process is as simple as clicking a consent box. Other times, you will need to submit a photo ID similar to how you would at a land-based casino.
Step 3: Select your payment method. To begin playing you will need to make your first deposit. Most casino apps will allow players to select from a wide range of payment methods. Choose the casino app you are most comfortable with.
Step 4: Carefully consider all bonus opportunities. Most casino apps give their best player bonuses on the front end–particularly as you make your first deposit. The key is to find offerings that benefit you without making you feel coerced into spending more than you would. Read the terms carefully. Most casinos will require you to make a significant number of bets with bonus money before you can withdraw funds back into your bank account.
Step 5: Play responsibly. Many casinos will feature tools that allow you to monitor your spending and play responsibly. However, it is ultimately up to you to make decisions that you can live with. Play safely!
Playing on Mobile vs. Desktop: Pros and Cons
Mobile and desktop gaming tend to be very similar in the experience they provide. However, there are subtle differences that can combine to create a radically different playing experience. Below, we highlight the pros and cons of each.
Desktop Gaming Pros and Cons
Pros
- A larger screen makes it easier to play
- Often features more gaming options
- Forces you to play at home, making it easier to monitor your spending.
Cons
- Lacks mobility
Mobile Gaming Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to play on the go
- May feature specialized gambling content
- Can be used in compliance with mobile device playing limitations to add extra safety
Cons
- Often features fewer games than desktop
Usually, your online casino app will be playable both on mobile and on desktop, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Your account should update seamlessly from one device to the next making it easier to play either way.
Best Casino Apps for Canadian Players
Below, we take a look at three of the best apps for Canadian players.
N1 Casino
N1 Casino is particularly noted for its bonuses, where new players can receive a 100% deposit match with a value of up to C$1500 on their first deposit. The casino provides a massive welcome bonus to set you up for a good start!
Log on, and you are first greeted by a crowded homepage that may overwhelm the new player. Behind the apparent madness lurks a vast offering of casino games, further enhanced by an enticing array of tournament and leaderboard options that reward returning players.
N1 Casino is fully licensed and is well-known for featuring good customer service, well-developed safety features, and enough game variety to suit the needs of almost any player.
20 Bet
20 Bet Casino has a well-established mobile casino app with a strong reputation among players. It features a wide variety of live dealer games, as well as algorithm-based playing opportunities. Long-term players appreciate the particularly wide range of slot-related games that are available.
20 Bet is noted for its strong developers, and high-quality customer service, which is available 24/7. 20 Bet uses sophisticated encryption technology to make sure that your information stays safe.
Players should note that this casino app is not currently offered everywhere. Do your own research to determine if it is available to you.
Golden Star
Golden Star is noted for featuring more than 4,000 games players can choose from. It is a licensed and regulated casino, well-known for featuring some of the best welcome bonuses in the business. First-time deposits are matched by the casino, all the way up to C$1,500, providing significantly more free money than most online casinos.
Players are also given up to 100 free spins, making it even easier to enjoy the casino without risking much of your own money.
Any bonus money, as well as bonus money-related winnings, must be wagered at least 40 times over the course of a two-week period in order to retain the deposit.
Golden Star is user-friendly with a clean interface and is noted both for its customer service and generally safe interface.
Best Apple Casino Apps
The best casino apps for iPhone are determined both by their interface features (safety, support, etc). and by the gaming opportunities provided. By that criteria, we have identified Crazy Fox as our top IOS selection.
Crazy Fox features over 60 games for mobile gaming and boasts a smooth interface that most users will find easy to navigate.
Customer support is available around the clock, most prominently in a live chat feature. Some interactions are generated by chatbots, which means you might need to put in a little extra work if you want to speak with a human.
Crazy Fox features a good selection of live dealer games and requires players to wager all of their deposits at least 3 times before making a withdrawal.
Best Android Casino Apps
We identified Wild Fortune as the best casino app on Android. Noted for its robust set of gambling safety features, Wild Fortune features an impressive line-up of both digital and live dealer games. The interface boasts a sleek look that will be easy to navigate and a large selection of games.
Wild Fortune is German-based but can be played all over the world, and features a maximum monthly withdrawal limit of C$15,000.
Best Real Money Games on Mobile
The best real money games are simply the ones that meet your criteria. Gambling is very subjective. Players will usually have the best time simply by following their impulses and reaching for games they are comfortable with.
There are, however, factors that can serve to distinguish one game from another. For example developers. A good app developer will provide a clean interface that improves the game’s overall playability.
Then there is RTP. The return to player rating essentially refers to the house edge. A game that has an RTP of 80% returns C$80 to the player for every C$100 spent, over time.
The RTP always favours the house, but there are games where the split is close. Blackjack is particularly noted for giving players the biggest advantage because the house is playing under almost the exact same terms as the player.
Poker is similarly advantageous to the player—particularly those who are well-versed in strategy.
Different bets will have an impact on the RTP. For example, when you decide to “hit,” with a high face number on blackjack, you are making a decision that lowers your RTP.
Understanding basic gambling strategies can go a long way toward helping you enjoy a safer and more stress-free experience.
Slots—particularly progressive slots—are very popular in mobile gaming because there are so many options to choose from. Some casinos have thousands of different slot games, each with its own unique system of providing player bonuses and rewards.
Determine how you like to play and find a mobile app that is able to meet you where you are while also providing the opportunity to try new games out whenever you see fit.
Find the Perfect Casino App for Mobile Gaming
While we listed N1 Casino as one of the best for mobile gaming, it is highly subjective. Recommendations are good, but players who know what to look for in an online casino will ultimately have the best time.
The more you play, the better you will understand your likes and dislikes. Use the specifications described in this article to evaluate all of the online casinos you come into contact with.