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It's no secret that Canada's iGaming market is on the rise. Thanks to changing legislation, tech innovations, and enhancements to player protections, online casinos in the Great North are booming. Slots remain the most popular online offering, which is no surprise considering the sheer number on offer.
We spoke to slots expert Daisy Harrison to find out more about what makes a great slot and how players can spot the best real money slots in Canada for themselves. Daisy is part of the North America team at Casino.org, and has been working in the iGaming space for nine years. During this time, she has picked up industry expertise and a passion for helping consumers to unpick the knotty world of online casinos. Daisy is a gaming enthusiast in her own right, with a keen eye for the best slots.
Gambling 911: Hi Daisy, thanks so much for chatting with us today! First off, let's start with the current state of online slots in Canada. How do you think the market is shaping up?
"It's a really exciting time for online casino fans in Canada at the moment. Ontario has had its own competitive iGaming market in place since 2022, and now that the market is maturing, other provinces have started to notice its success. Alberta is well on the way to establishing its own regulated market using Ontario's model. For players, the upshot is a safer, more competitive online gambling scene. With more regulated online casinos set to operate in Alberta, residents will have a wider choice of high-quality slots to choose from."
Gambling 911: When you're reviewing slots, what are you looking out for?
"What makes the ideal slot is a little different for everyone, but for me it's a balance of thoughtful game design, innovative mechanisms, and exciting bonuses. I love to see unique themes that make the slot feel immersive and allow it to stand out from the crowd. Bonus points go to a good soundtrack, filmic cut-scenes, and animated symbols. An added storyline can elevate a slot from a simple game to an immersive experience.
Some slots can feel slow when you're playing them if they don't have any interesting mechanisms. I look out for slots that have many ways to win and features like mega reels, sticky wilds, and mystery symbols. Developers are really pushing the boundaries of what they can pack into a slot these days, for instance, mini-games or a choice of bonuses. There really is no excuse for dull gameplay anymore.
I also want to be sure that the slot I'm playing is fair and secure, so I like to look out for the latest offerings from trusted developers with established reputations. Checking out online guides and user reviews is really helpful for this, as is staying on top of gambling news. A good payout is something I'm never sorry to see either!"
Gambling 911: How can Canadian players find slots with the best payouts?
"Any seasoned slots player will know that some games pay out better than others. The reasons why can seem a little hard to grasp, though, so I'd like to clear that up first. There are a few factors that impact how a slot pays out, which are RTP and the max win amount.
RTP stands for return to player, and it's a figure that refers to how much a game pays out on average. So, if we take an RTP of 95%, for example, this means that the slot will pay out $95 for every $100 wagered. With this in mind, the higher the RTP, the higher your chances of winning.
On the other hand, some players prefer to play slots with the highest maximum wins. These offer the opportunity to win bigger sums. Personally, I don't think that one strategy is much better than the other. When possible, it's best to choose a slot that has a high RTP and a high maximum win. Marching Legions by Relax Gaming is a good example of a slot that combines both of these factors, with an RTP of 98.12% and max wins of 10,000X the player's stake."
Gambling 911: Do you have any personal favorites you fancy recommending to us?
"Sure, that's a tough question though! A perk of the research I do is testing the latest online slots. I do have a few favorites I like to return to, like Starburst by NetEnt. Most people who have played slots at online casinos will have come across this one before, and in my opinion, it's a classic for a reason!
At the moment, I really rate another Relax Gaming offering, Iron Bank 2. This sequel builds on the success of the original game, with a plethora of immersive new features. Players are given various choices to make throughout the game, such as picking between the Random Mystery feature and the Random Wilds feature. This highly volatile slot is really what you make it, and the sheer range of options available will keep players coming back for more."
Gambling 911: You've mentioned a few different software developers now. Which ones are hot on your radar at the moment?
"There are so many, but I've really been enjoying some of Nolimit City's titles. Their slots aren't for the faint of heart, but they are undeniably entertaining. They often feature gory or risqué themes, but there is more to Nolimit City than courting controversy. Their slots are well thought out, have good RTPs, and make the most of bonus features.
Relax Gaming is another staple of every good casino portfolio. This developer has fifteen years of experience in the business, and it shows. Their slots are characteristically vibrant with fun themes and loads of momentum. Lately, I've been enjoying Treasure Tumble Dream Drop, which boasts cluster wins and multipliers."
Gambling 911: What do you think the future holds for online slots in Canada?
"Well, the good news is that it looks bright. I've been working in this business for nearly a decade, and the improvements I've seen in online slots have really been staggering. As the technology has become more widespread for developers, the quality of slots has just gone up and up.
Innovations in the niche, from game mechanics to bonus features, are really keeping players on their toes. I've also been finding the switch to more sociable online casinos really enjoyable. The inclusion of things like weekly leaderboards and competitions makes gaming a more communal experience and keeps things interesting."
B.E. Delmer. Gambling911.com
