Casino lobbies can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new. This guide covers the five games most players try first: slots, blackjack, baccarat, roulette and poker. For each one you’ll see how it works, what it costs you over time, and where to read more.
None of these games is a sure thing, and every one has a house edge, so the aim is to enjoy yourself and keep your spending in check. The casinos below accept players from your province, best-rated first. In Ontario, the list shows only iGaming Ontario-registered casinos.
Slots
Slots are the most played games at online casinos, and the easiest to start. You set a bet, spin, and the game shows whether you won. There are thousands of themes, bonus rounds and features to choose from, and almost all of them work well on a phone. You don’t need any strategy to play, which makes them a good choice for beginners. Browse our slots guide to get started.
Two numbers matter. RTP (return to player) is the share of wagers a game pays back over the long run, across millions of spins, not in one session. Volatility describes how wins arrive: low-volatility slots pay smaller wins more often, and high-volatility slots pay less often but can pay more. Each spin is independent, so a slot is never “due” a win. If you want the best long-run return, see our list of the slots with the highest RTP in Canada.
Slots are also the easiest games for clearing a bonus, because wagering on them usually counts 100%. Check the bonus terms to be sure.
Blackjack
The goal in blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 without going over. After your first two cards you choose to hit (take another card) or stand, and many tables also let you double down or split pairs. If you go over 21, you lose the hand.
Blackjack rewards good decisions. With basic strategy, which tells you the best play for every hand, the house edge falls to roughly 0.5% or less, depending on the rules. That’s one of the lowest edges in the casino, but only if you stick to the strategy and don’t guess.
Check the payout before you sit down. Avoid tables that pay 6:5 for a natural blackjack instead of 3:2, because they raise the house edge.
Baccarat
Baccarat is simple. You bet on Banker, Player or Tie, and the cards are dealt by fixed rules. You make no decisions after placing your bet, which makes it relaxing to play, especially at a live dealer table.
The numbers differ by bet. With eight decks and a 5% commission on Banker wins, the house edge is about 1.06% on Banker and 1.24% on Player. A Tie usually pays 8:1, but its house edge is about 14.4%, so skip it.
Choosing between Banker and Player is a small decision, since both edges are low. Put your money there and ignore the Tie. Many players find baccarat calm and easy to follow, since the dealer handles everything after you bet.
Roulette
In roulette you bet on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. You can back a single number, a colour, odd or even, or groups of numbers. Learn how the options compare in our guide to roulette bets and betting patterns.
The wheel matters more than any betting pattern. European roulette has a single zero and a house edge of 2.70%. American roulette adds a double zero and raises the edge to 5.26%. If you can find it, French roulette rules cut the edge on even-money bets to 1.35%.
Whichever version you play, no betting system changes the odds. Pick the wheel with the lowest edge, set your bet size in advance and play for the fun of it. Rounds are quick, so it is easy to spend more than you planned.
Poker
Poker comes in two forms online. In poker against other players, you compete with real opponents and the site takes a rake, a small cut of each pot. Skill matters here, and you can improve with practice over time.
The other form is casino poker, where you play against the house. Examples include Casino Hold’em and Three Card Poker, which you can play at live dealer poker tables, plus video poker games such as Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better. Read about video poker and how Deuces Wild works before you play.
Poker has a steeper learning curve than the other four games, so start with low stakes and learn the hand rankings first. Study the rules of each variation before you put real money down, because the rules and the rake differ from table to table.
How to Choose Your Game
- House edge versus fun: a lower edge means your money lasts longer on average, but pick the game you enjoy. Fun is the point.
- Skill versus luck: blackjack and poker reward good decisions. Slots, roulette and baccarat are decided by chance once you’ve placed your bet.
- Bankroll: decide how much you can afford to lose before you start, and size your bets so a session lasts.
- Table limits: check the minimum and maximum bets. Low-limit tables suit smaller bankrolls.
- Bonus weighting: slots usually count 100% toward wagering, while table games often count for less or nothing. Read the terms in our guide to the best casino bonuses in Canada.
Play Within Your Limits
Set a budget and a time limit before you start, stop when you reach them, and visit our responsible gambling page for tools and support. You must be 19 or older to play in most provinces, or 18 or older in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.