Best Slots Sites in 2020 [list] + How to choose[guide]

You have reached the ultimate guide for choosing slot sites in Canada. After reading this, you will know where to find the best slot sites, what are the most popular providers and what bonuses you should expect. Our authority in the field allows you to trust our word for good and enforces what we mentioned below.

Start reading now!

• What are online slots?

• Slot machine sites according to providers

• Best slot sites for payout

• Online Slots Bonus

• Playing on slot sites in Canada

• On a final note

• Methodology and References

• Extended list of slots bonuses

What are online slots?

Slots are those machines that generate winnings according to a certain combination. Slot websites are those platforms that offer this type of games, but better and improved. Why? Because this version not only comes with high-end visuals but can include bonus slots offers too. In other words, players can have fun and increase their winning chances.

To really become an expert, below you will find some details about:

• Slots through history - From saloons to slots machine sites;
• Industry statistics, definitory elements and preferences.

Slots through history - From saloons to online casinos

Probably not expecting this, but the 1880s was the time when a rudimentary slot machine enlightened the time of those who visited saloons. Saloons were the first "gambling establishments," and what better place to have some fun other than a location where rules were meant to be broken.

Naturally, evolution impacted the coin-operated machine, and slots outgrew the saloon areas and ended up in the form we all know and love. But what were their key moments in evolution? Check below:

• 1909: Industry Novelty Company introduced slots as “chewing gum dispensers” to circumvent legal restrictions;
• 1950: Electromechanical slots were everywhere and came with many payout schemes;
• 1980: A system was introduced to link the slots, which led to the “super jackpot” appearance;
• 1985: New amendment allowed licensed premises in Canada to run video slots machines; soon after that, the first land-based casino was opened.
• 1996: WMS Industries launched the first American video slot to offer a “second screen” bonus round.

From that moment, the industry saw a new era with slots being available online and thriving in payouts or graphics with every decade that passed. Something that was no missing from their evolution is the way they combined with diverse casino promotions. You can now see all kinds of reel games in Canada as the centrepieces of various bonus codes.

Did you know: Back in the day, the saloon proprietor paid the winning customers in drinks or cigars.

We, at Casinobonusca, we don’t simply offer you information. Our mission is to provide verified facts that are both useful and easy to understand. We analyse statics and provide you with tables, so you can draw your own conclusion. Besides that, we offer you suggestions like checking promotional terms before claiming a bonus because we want you to have a safe and fun experience.

Industry statistics, definitory elements and preferences

If it were to cite some statistics, we should mention that participation levels in slots are higher (76%) compared to table games (27%). This wide gap may result from the fact that reel options are easier to play and more attractive due to visuals and sounds.

source

As you can see, the large majority choose slots to play for entertainment purposes only. With 41% of players gambling as long as it is fun and entertaining, it's safe to say that winning is not part of their reasoning. The next group enjoys gambling out of functionality, which translates to "I am looking for my money to last as long as possible." These functional gamblers sum up to 36%. A percentage of 14% of respondents state that risks and playing to win are what they enjoy during gambling and 9% are just new to gambling and probably eager to try something easy.

Now that you know why Canadians prefer casino slots, we would like to offer you some insights on how they choose their game. Probably looks is the primary variable, but besides that, those who bet on the best slot sites select their title based on:

According to this table, the visuals occupy the leading position, and players may search for games that can load fast and are optimized for various platforms.

As you may know, some slots have a bonus feature, which is triggered when you align certain symbols and can consist of free spins for your game or cash prizes. Slots that do have it are more likely to be picked by players, along with skill-based games. If some would prefer those classic reel games, others would turn to these new-era slots where there is much more than the bonus feature. A skill-based slot is a game where you trigger a skill-based extra game that can bring you freebies. Studies show that nowadays, Canadian users are inclined to choose this kind of game over one that lacks this feature.

source

According to statistics, 70% of Canadian players will gamble on a slot that offers frequent small payouts rather than rare big ones. The cost to bet on all lines is another dealbreaker for Canadians.

If it were to consider the frequent small payouts, we would say that users tend to bet how much they afford to lose. The minimum bet is related to that too, and the average is probably the best option for players. Why that? Because that would also meet the idea of gambling for fun, without worrying that you will lose plenty of money.

Important: Players must know that the minimum bet allowed does not influence the game's outcome but changes the numbers of spins you can play in that game. If you have C$200 and the game has a minimum of C$1, you are able to play it 200 times. If you make a maximum bet of C$3 on every spin, you can only play the game 66 times.

The game provider is another feature that can interest the player. Different providers, different styles, as they say. Some titles will come with more extra features, while others could have exciting gameplay. Last but not least, a game that you have played before and credited you with a payout can be a way to ensure loyalty. 58% of players choose to gamble on titles that proved to offer them a win, and the thought that one may win again can be enough to come back.

Slot machine sites according to providers

When slots appeared, there was no need for providers, but when the first online casino slot made its entrance, software providers started to appear too. Now there are plenty of companies available, so iGaming does not lack diversity. Casinos have different approaches regarding the games’ portfolio, and some may choose to work with plenty of providers, while others will prefer the option of a few ones but popular. Either way, Canadian gamblers will not lack slot options that come with different variations. 

Top 5 game providers to try in Canada

Some players complained about certain providers due to high RTP or lack of the bonus feature. Want to find out what you should avoid? Have a peek below!

Net Entertainment

Launched in 1996 in Sweden, NetEnt is now a pioneer in the iGaming industry. Based by founders with a casino experience, the company had a great foundation to start with. It took off in the early 2000s, probably with the launching of NetEnt CasinoTm, their first online casino. Every player can recognize NetEnt slots by rich visuals, complex gameplays and high RTP (95%-98%). From their portfolio, we would like to state Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Divine Fortune, Reel Rush and Hotline. And speaking of Starburst, the company signed an agreement with Gaming Realms to create a Slingo Starburst. The new addition will feature Slingo gameplay and classic features of the well-known slot. 

As his global presence grows, NetEnt signed a partnership to provide games to a casino in Pennsylvania and maybe pursue further opportunities on the American market.

The company is listed on the Swedish Stock Exchange and has a market cap of 23.660B.

Play’n Go

"We are game" sounds like their slogan, and they prove that during all the years of activity. Launched somewhere in the 1990s, Play’n Go games are recognizable by their intuitive gameplays and multipliers' plenitude within each title. With a range of employees of 50 to 100, the company received the Slot Provider of the Year award in 2017.

If playing slots with bonus is your thing, you should access titles from this provider. From their portfolio, we remember Cops’N Robbers, Legacy of Egypt, and of course, Book of Dead.

Microgaming

Now famous worldwide, 26 years ago, Microgaming was just a new software company based in the Isle of Man. The company is part of the founding members of eCOGRA. It is the parent of well-known reel options, such as Book of Oz, Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck II and Jurassic World. From earliest online casino software in 1994 to various no deposit Microgaming casinos now, we cite three milestones in its history:

• Developing in 2004 the first mobile casino software;
• In 2015 Mega Moolah paid out more than £13 million to a British soldier;
• A year later, Microgaming launched a VR headset game that focuses on VR roulette.

IGT

On the market since the 90s, IGT is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has a market cap of 2.358B. The company has its headquarters in London, but it has major offices in Rome, Rhode Island, Las Vegas and Providence. With 12,000 full-time employees, IGT delivers slots and other gaming products regularly. 

In 2017 IGT received a responsible gaming certification for its land-based casino segment and digital services. In 2019 it got the certification again, making it the first gaming supplier to be re-certified. The IGT Senior Vice President, Wendy Montgomery, said that this certification reinforces its position as a highly responsible vendor.

Playtech

The company has 5900 employees, 140 global licences and offices in 19 countries. Besides offering software for real money slots, Playtech provides for online poker rooms, online bingo games, online sports betting, scratch, live dealer and mobile. Every player remembers the Age of the Gods series, and we can't forget the DC-inspired slots, which were created as a result of a deal with Warner Bros. Gambling on free slots or playing with real funds is something you will enjoy at a Playtech casino.

Diversity and flexibility are defining traits for this brand, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and a component of the FTSE 250 index.

Novomatic

If it were to ask yourselves which provider established the quality in this industry, our response would be Novomatic. Not only the company is on the market for so many years, but providing quality was never out of their field. A pioneer in using touch screen technology, the company’s expansion reached even countries like Chile.

Novomatic is listed on Frankfurt Stock, and according to the 2019 numbers, it managed to maintain and consolidate its position as a market leader. The company, which operates 230 000 gaming devices and video lottery terminals in more than 2100 outlets, expects to post revenue of $5.6 billion. Also, in 2020 it was ranked the second most valuable Austrian brand.

Quickspin

Born in Stockholm, Quickspin is relatively new in the industry, and it was based by three guys who wanted to break the pattern. Launched in 2011, the company was acquired in 2016 by Playtech. In early 2020, SkillOnNet decided to upgrade its portfolio with the addition of Quickspin.

From three guys to 100 people from 29 countries, the gaming developer is working its way to higher standards. Even though the games do not exceed an impressive number, you’re able to easily recognize them via immersive graphics and complex gameplay. From their collection, we would like to cite Volcano Riches, Pied Piper and Dwarfs Gone Wild.

Thunderkick

In 2020, the software provider partnered with Slotegrator, making the provider's games available for integration into online casinos. Canadians choose games from this provider due to their unique storyline and the abundance of features within the game. Pink Elephants, Wild Heist, Full Moon Romance and Luchadora are just a few examples of Thunderkick’s titles.

A Swedish company launched in 2012, Thunderkick consists of almost 50 people now and never backed down from their initial purpose: to create content that "leaves no one untouched." The company has partnered with well-known casinos like 888, Casumo, LeoVegas and others.

With years of experience or relatively new on the market, every provider presented creates quality via their game portfolio. Below, we will continue our exposure relating providers with some particular tables.

Best slot sites in Canada

Remember that we offered some insights about providers? By analyzing these four casinos, we wanted to see what companies these sites work with. As expected, NetEnt and Microgaming can be spotted on all the four casinos, Quickspin and Play’n Go just on three and Thunderkick titles are present only on one. Regarding games, we can mention that the number of casino slots represents more than 60% of the options available on each platform.

Which online slots are the best?

We are sure you want to find out what are the best online slots a Canadian could play. Besides the fact that it is a matter of taste, we thought that some examples could help you with a clear overview. When choosing these titles, we considered the number of reels, rows and paylines, along with the availability of wild, scatter and jackpot.

Top Canadian Slots

We know that selecting a slot depends on the player first of all, but there are some aspects that you may want to look regarding the best casino slots. Besides the software provider that created the title, you may want to check the game's RTP and volatility before you start playing. Also, extra features within the game like wild, scatter, or the number of paylines can be definitory elements when launching a title.

Recommendation: Some players wonder if some slot sites are rigged. To avoid any inconvenience, we suggest playing on licensed casinos that use a Random Number Generator and can track the games.

Best slot sites for payout

How can RTP and volatility influence your payout?

Even though some games themes became a pattern and gameplays may look the same, games are different from one provider to the other. The primary distinct thing is the Return to Player or RTP and the slots' volatility. Sure, besides those two, other features can also influence your gameplay, such as:

• The number of multipliers;
• The presence or absence of bonus/gambling feature;
• The availability of wilds or scatter symbols.

However, these can adapt according to how you play the slot of your choice. Going back to the constant elements, RTP and volatility are the number one variables that can differentiate slots. Every game has them and according to how high or low they are, these can influence if you win or not. But let’s have a closer look at what these are.

• Return to Player

Since 2016, remote operators are obliged to monitor their games’ performance, which is ensured by RNG and RTP. Now, all slot sites display this so that you will see your percentage right from the start. This percentage represents an average achieved over a significant number of gameplays, generally measured over 10,000 or 100,000 games. The RTP does not fluctuate according to your gameplay, it differs from one slot to another and from one provider to another. Also, it changes monthly, so pay attention to open the game’s paytable to acknowledge the percentage.

• Slots volatility

This is used to describe how often and how much you can expect to win during playing sessions; volatility refers to the amount of risk within a game. The main categories are high volatility slots and low ones. In regard to to the first, you must know that payouts are larger but fewer, while for the other, the return is smaller but more frequent.

Progressive jackpots

When playing a title with progressive jackpot, every bet you or other players make go straight to that jackpot. This can be won at random, but you must know: the longer the jackpot stays unclaimed, the bigger the payout. Slots with progressive jackpots have medium to high volatility ratings and since their jackpot is not frequent, measuring their RTP is not realistic.

Mega Moolah is one of those progressive jackpots that is well-known for high payouts. Starting from $1,000,000 minimum jackpot, this is a medium volatility slot that comes with 25 paylines and a bonus feature withing the game.

Want to know the best part?

Now you can play Mega Moolah at the best slot machine sites.

Top Slot Sites with Mega Moolah

• MyChance Casino;
• Cashmio;
• Mason Slots;
• 21casino;
• Megarush;
• Dream Vegas;
• Slot Planet.

Summary

If the RTP is continuously altered, we could not state the same about volatility, which remains within a range and does not fluctuate from one month to another. Playing real money slots with a high RTP and high volatility can bring you larger wins, but these would not be triggered as frequently. On the other hand, low volatility games will be easier to play. Still, if that game has a low RTP, you must not expect any large payouts anytime soon.

Recommendation: As stated, RTP can influence a player when choosing from plenty slot machine sites. Canadians will be drawn to choosing slots with high RTP, which is not wrong nor right but depends on how you play. Making this move will not guarantee large wins, especially if you are not the type who enjoys a long-term gambling strategy. But if you do, a slot with high RTP that also has some unique features may be perfect. You must also know that progressive slots have an RTP that is 10% lower than most of the highest-paid games.

Online Slots Bonus

Best four techniques to increase your winning chances

1. Choose a slot that has a medium RTP for starters, and after that, move to high RTP ones;
2. Start with a small bet and increase the value as you play;
3. Choose games with wilds and scatters;
4. Claim a bonus that applies to your favourite slot for an extra boost.

Claiming bonuses is also part of the whole casino experience. What every Canuck may want is bonuses with high match ups, low wagering requirements and maybe no withdrawal limits. The truth is that finding the perfect casino slots bonus is quite difficult. However, we would like to offer you a few tips about how to choose the right promotion for you.

Sign up bonus slots or playing online slots with real money: What is the difference?

Created to offer an extra when it comes to your session, these two may appear quite similar at first sight. They are destined for different types of gamblers and have custom terms and conditions.

• Online slots with sign up bonus

This is a website’s freebie credited when you decide to join it. Created for fresh players, this bonus can give you an “extra hand” when started playing for the first time. Credited after you successfully become a member, it does not imply any payments; you creating an account is enough. Some offers of this kind can require a promotional code, so make sure you register with that too.

• Deposit promos and what they imply

If you tested the platform and want to grab that offer, you just reached the First deposit bonus or Welcome package milestone. These promos are for new players too, but the main difference is that they require a deposit to become eligible. The casino will make the proper account verification, will approve the payment, and after that, you can start using your bonus. Some platforms will credit the offer in your bonus balance. In contrast, others will allow you to use it when you launch the game associated with your bonus.

• First Deposit Bonus: this can consist of extra spins and funds and comes with average wagering requirements and a specific bonus availability. It’s valid once per person or account, so if you grabbed it when you registered, you won't be eligible for that offer again.
• Welcome Packages: this bundle of offers will imply a first deposit bonus and other promos awarded on your second, third and so on payments. Ensure that you read the package's terms closely since these can differ from one deposit to the other.

But there’s more!

Check below to discover top slots offers!

Recommended Slot Sites with Best Bonus

Important: The extra rounds can be available for all types of slots, so reading the T&Cs is necessary. You may find slots with bonus including “with bonus rounds” feature. This means that the title you chose to play has free spins as an extra item, and if you align certain symbols, you should trigger that feature. This can bring other free spins that are destined to use only in your game.

Can you play online slots for real money?

Yes, you can! But we recommend doing that only after you got familiarized with the online platform. Once you know what to do, you will be able to choose the best slots offers to boost your session.

Choosing a bonus with free spins or with real money depends on your player status. We want to offer you a guide that will help you make the best selection. Interested? Check it out!

• Reading the terms and conditions

Before attempting to grab an offer, having a clear overview of what the bonus implies is crucial. These are stated below each deal and will give you all the coordinates you need.

• Wagering requirements

Usually, every bonus comes with wagering conditions, which refer to how much you have to bet to cash out your winnings. The no deposit ones will have higher wagering of 50x or 60x, while the deposit ones come with an average of 35x or 40x. Players must check what part of their funds they have to wager; it can be the bonus funds, the deposit funds, those two together, only the winnings from the spins, only the deposit cash or other combinations.

• Payment methods

Be aware that not all payments available are valid for your promotion. You will find this stated as "only Visa is available" or "Visa deposit excluded." If Visa is not available, other payments can help you grab the offer, like iDebit, eCheck, Interac or Instadebit. Fast and safe, these will deliver the funds in no time.

• Bonus codes

Some promos won’t allow you to qualify until you type their code. You will have to type the code when register or when you attempt to grab the promotion.  

Tips: When claiming an offer with a code, you must type that in the same form as stated at the online casino; otherwise, you will not qualify.

• Maximum cashout

The limits imposed on casino withdrawals may not resemble those set for your offer. This means that if a site allows you to cash out £5000, that doesn't necessarily apply for your offer too. Make sure you acknowledge that during your T&Cs reading because you don’t want to receive less than you expected.

·       Bonus and games availability

The offer will have limitations on the time you have to use your bonus. If you do not comply with that, your bonus may be voided after a month, and there’s no mean to bring it back. When it comes to the games, certain offers will provide some preselected games that go hand in hand with the offer. This means that the deal will not work on any other titles than the ones stated.

It’s essential to take a look at these aspects before attempting to grab something. 

If you want to see a few examples of what Canadian players prefer in terms of promotions, we offer you a table with a few examples.

This table states the bonus type, the value of wagering attached to the bonus, the payments valid for that promotion and the games available. All bonuses are deposit-based and include both spins and extra cash. As you can see, the wagering values range from 35x to 60x, and except for the first promotion, spins can be used on preselected games. For the most part, eWallets and online transfer are mostly viable, which means that the casino will process your deposit within seconds. 

Are online slots worth it?

We assure you that you are not the only one who asks that. Playing at licensed sites is the first thing you can do. Besides that, testing the platform with no deposit offers or choosing an online slot that has a low RTP will offer you a clear overview. You don’t have to worry about slots sites Canada being rigged because licensed websites use RNG (Random Number Generator) to make sure that all payouts are arbitrary.

Recommendation: When joining a new online casino, it’s important to test the platform first. That’s why we recommend claiming sign-up bonus slots before making a deposit. Playing a free version of a slot is advantageous, so try our page with slot games. 

Be aware: Every bonus has its terms, so pay attention to the maximum bet you can use when wagering your funds. If your bet exceeds the imposed limits, the funds can be voided.

Playing on slot sites in Canada?

Three advantages why gambling online is better

Canadians prefer slots, which can be seen because almost 37% of Canuks have gambled at a slot gaming centre in the past year, and over 12% do so on a weekly or monthly basis. They do prefer slots, but they gamble moderately, being conscious about addictive effects. 

Apart from the social aspect, playing at a physical slot machine is slowly coming to an end since gambling online comes with plenty of advantages. Besides intimacy and comfort, slots sites Canada conquer the old fashion way. When you play online, you’re able to enjoy:

• Game diversity

70% of players prefer slots with a bonus feature, and the question is how many land-based slots would meet this requirement? Probably a few. A gambling location will provide only a limited number of options. Still, when it comes to best slot sites, your options are variate. You may play games from more than one provider and find them easily by using the sorting options available on the site. Besides this intuitive approach, you can check the RTP or volatility before starting the game and get to enjoy unique gameplays.

• Many bonuses available

The ugly truth is that brick-and-mortar slots will not offer you any promotions. When it comes to online options, like the those above, you will have a lot to choose from. You may encounter no deposit promos, first and welcome packages and offers credited weekly or monthly. But be aware that you read the bonus rules before deciding to grab something. It would be unpleasant to discover that you are not able to bet a certain amount or that the wagering is too high.

• Compatibility across various devices

Not only can you play at home, but with nowadays slots, you are able to gamble on your mobile. All websites have flexible interfaces that adapt to smaller screens and some developed mobile applications that can be downloaded to your phone. With this addition to your device, you are able to enjoy all the features available on the desktop version.

On a final note

Canucks prefer slots instead of other casino games like table or bingo, and the things they consider when selecting a slot sum it up to 5 features. Apart from these, what they also pay attention to is RTP and volatility, two definitory elements that can influence how much a slot payout. So, choosing the proper game for you is of utmost importance. Besides these two characteristics, grabbing registration or real money promotions also plays a part in increasing your casino balance. You have to mind some rules to ensure that you have no problems with qualifying for your offer. 

Besides that, it is recommended to test the online slot before making a deposit and try some free versions. Paying attention to the maximum bet, wagering requirements, maximum cashout when grabbing an offer is also a strategy you must keep in mind. Last but not least, playing online is way better than choosing a land-based slot machine, especially due to game and promotions diversity plus the advantage of playing on your mobile phone.

Methodology and References

Due to our expertise in the field, we don’t simply write content. We write casino content that can be useful for the player in making his best decision. Take this page, for example. When researching and putting together the information presented here, we make sure that we took use of the industry's statistics and created tables using our website pages. Apart from that, we added references for further explanations regarding a subject. 

• Slot machine
• A brief history of slots in Canada
• Canadian Gaming Association – Market Understanding Report 2016 Summit Survey
• What are skill based slot machines
• NetEnt to roll out games on DraftKings casino in Pennsylvania
• Gaming Realms partners with NetEnt
• Crunchbase.com - Play'n GO
• Wikipedia.org – Microgaming
• Wikipedia.org – International Game Technology (IGT)
• IGT’s Responsible Gaming leadership across multiple segments reaffirmed by Independent Assessors
• Wikipedia.org – Playtech
• Wikipedia.org – Novomatic
• Novomatic estimates 2019 revenue at US$5.6 bln
• Online casino software provider Slotegrator partners with game developer Thunderkick

Extended list of slot bonuses