How to Gamble with Real Money Online from Canada

1. A Capable Computer or Mobile Device

First things first, you’re going to need an electronic device capable of accessing an online casino. You have lots of options. A desktop computer is nice, but lacks mobility. A laptop will proffer greater freedom of movement. Tablet devices are similar to laptops, but far more portable. Smartphones offer the greatest mobility. You can leave your home and always be connected to a secure network, but they also have the smallest screens.

As for compatibility, that’s rarely an issue these days. Thanks to the versatility of HTML5, online casino games can be played on virtually any operating system – Windows PC, Mac, Linux / Ubuntu, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry, etc. Your device’s processor speed is far more important. So long as it’s capable of performing basic tasks – browsing the web, playing videos, running programs or apps – you should have no problem.

2. Stable, Secure, High Speed Internet Connection

A stable and secure internet connection is a must. If you suffer from frequent disconnects, you will soon become very frustrated, very quickly. Imagine you’re dealt a fantastic blackjack hand, such as 7+4 to the dealer’s 6. Just as you’re about to press the Double button, you get disconnected… your hand automatically stands on 11. The dealer gets 17. You lose. Ouch!

If your home WiFi is not stable, you may want to consider upgrading or switching providers. Or, don’t use WiFi at all. Your smartphone’s mobile network may be a better choice. Or vice versa, if you’re mobile network is unstable.

Stability is only half of the equation, though. Security is of equal importance – a priority that must not be overlooked. A wired or WiFi connection in your home should be very secure, provided you have set a strong password and haven’t given it out to anyone. Your smartphone’s mobile network should also be very secure.

Just Say “No!” to Public WiFi Networks

What you cannot trust are open networks and WiFi hot spots. Many businesses have open networks these days. Even if it’s password protected, if every customer is given the password, it is not secure. You should never perform any activity that involves sensitive information – whether it’s online gambling, online shopping, online banking, etc. – while connected to an insecure network. You never know who’s watching, and if they are watching, they can see everything!

3. Payment Method for Deposits and Withdrawals

So long as you have a Canadian bank account in your name, linked to your physical address, you will be able to process secure deposits and withdrawals. There are plenty of viable methods that necessitate nothing more than a viable bank account.

Interac eTransfers are among the most secure payment methods in the country. Not only is the service available exclusively to Canadians, the network of banks that run it refuse to work with any online business that is not highly reputable and operating in a strictly regulated market. Suffice it to say, if an online casino accepts Interac deposits, you know you can trust them.

Other viable payment methods that only require a bank account include debit card transfers, direct bank wire transfers, eCheck, Instant EFT and more. Each of these can be facilitated or funded by a bank account. Learn more here:

• How to Deposit at Canadian Casinos

4. The Right Online Casino for Your Needs

This is one step you do not want to rush through. The regulation and reputation of an online casino are paramount to a safe, secure and positive user experience. Only the strictest regulatory bodies enforce adequate player protections, and demand unwavering compliance with the law.

International Regulators

Long story short, your online casino of choice should be licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). These are the two most responsible iGaming jurisdictions in the world. If the site is running Microgaming software, you’ll see the “eCOGRA Safe & Fair” logo at the bottom of the page. eCOGRA is an independent regulatory body that provides dual layers of protection for players.

• Crash Course in Online Casino Safety & Security

Canadian Regulators

Provincial gaming regulators, such as the British Columbia Lottery Corp (BCLC), Loto-Quebec, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG), are also good choices. However, these are ring fenced operations. If you don’t live in that province, you can’t play there. And even if you do, you might not find the site’s game variety and features to be adequate to your needs. For example, European gambling sites can offer a wide world of sports betting, whereas Canadian sites are limited to local, parlay-style sports lotteries.

Other Considerations

There are a few other things you’ll want to consider when choosing your online casino. Canadian player acceptance is a requirement, of course. There should be viable banking methods, such as those discussed above. The gambling site should offer all the types of games you’re looking for.

5. A Mature, Responsible and Disciplined Outlook

If you’re the type of person who lets money burn a hole in your pocket, you should not play online casino games with real money. Maturity, responsibility and discipline are of utmost importance here. Online gambling is not a healthy pastime for the over-indulgent.

Discipline and responsibility mean that you only gamble with extra money that has no other intended purpose, such as grocery money or bill money. It means that when your bankroll runs out, you stop. A responsible gambler is one that enjoys the experience for what it is – an exciting mode of entertainment.

The only thing that sets casino gambling apart from other paid forms of entertainment is that casino games actually afford a chance to win something back. But it is only a chance, and the odds are not going to be in your favor. The casino always has an edge. Remember this, appreciate the experience for what it is, and you should do just fine.

6. Knowledge of Casino Game Rules

Never risk your hard earned money bet on a game you don’t understand. Craps is a perfect example. Everyone says it’s such an exciting game, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, or what’s happening on the table, your odds of winning will be greatly diminished. Take the time to learn a game before you play it. Not only will you enjoy it more, you’ll have a far better chance of winning.

Certain games are easier to learn than others. Some good games to start with are blackjack, baccarat, roulette and video poker. Slot machines are a fan favorite, but make sure you understand them before you play, or they could siphon through your bankroll fast enough to make your head spin.

For more information on popular casino game rules, as well as the strategies you need to win more often (as we’ll discuss in the next section), check out some of these game-specific tutorials:

How to Play and Win…

• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Bingo
• Craps
• Keno
• Pai Gow Poker
• Roulette
• Slot Machines
• Video Poker Machines
• Live Dealer Casino Games

7. Effective Strategies for Minimizing House Edge

Knowing how to gamble with real money online gives you a chance to win. Play each game correctly, and your chances of winning will be far greater. Rarely will you get a positive expected value (better chance of winning than losing), but employing basic strategy, diminishing the house edge to an absolute minimum, certainly doesn’t hurt.

I’ll start with +EV gambling options, because I’m sure you’re curious about those. There are only four ways to gamble with a +EV, and trust me, it takes a lot of devotion to strategy integration to get there. The biggest problem is that with +EV strategies are so highly involved, they kinda suck the fun out of the experience. The joy of profiteering replaces the thrill of gambling.

If you’re still interested, +EV gambling options include blackjack (with perfect strategy and card counting), video poker (if you can find the right machine), poker (if you’re good enough), and sports betting (if your willing to handicap matches). If any of these sound like a good option for you, see the corresponding links below for more information.

How to…

• Improve Your Blackjack Game

• Gain an Edge in Video Poker

• Win Real Money Poker Games

• Handicap Sports Bets (Coming Soon)

If +EV game strategies don’t seem like much fun, you can still reduce the house edge small enough to at least extend the longevity of your bankroll. With a little luck and discipline (know when to walk away), you might actually come out on top. In section 6, I provided links to a variety of popular casino games. Each of those links provides a basic strategy for the game. Please refer to those for additional information.