BonusFinder - Frequently Asked Questions

BonusFinder

Why should I trust BonusFinder reviews?
BonusFinder is an authentic platform operating in collaboration with some of the biggest legitimate gambling brands in Canada. BonusFinder, a brand under GDC Media Limited, is committed to providing the best possible review content and verified casino bonuses for Canadian players.

BonusFinder is affiliated with numerous casino, sportsbook, and social casino brands. This means that we get a small commission if you register through our bonus code or link. We also have reviews of many platforms that we have no affiliation with. Regardless of our connections with brands or companies, we aim to provide unbiased insights on all the platforms, bonuses, and games we review.

While our goal is to help you play with more, we also want to ensure that you have a safe online gaming experience by introducing you to secure platforms that are regulated and licensed.

If you’d like to read more about our review process, head over to our How We Review page.

Why is BonusFinder the best place to claim a bonus?
We have some of the best gambling bonuses in the industry. We have experienced industry experts working on our reviews frequently and provide as much information as possible about the details of various promotions. We also dive deep into the pros and cons of different types of bonuses and test gaming platforms ourselves to see if they’re worth our praise.

Is BonusFinder legit?
Yes. BonusFinder is a legitimate review site operating under GDC Media Limited. BonusFinder is licensed and registered with numerous gambling regulators. It has also received several accolades from bodies like EGR and IGB Affiliate Awards.

Is there a BonusFinder casino?
No. BonusFinder isn’t a casino, nor is it behind any online gaming operations.

Can I play casino games on BonusFinder?
Yes, you can play various casino games in our Free Games lobby. Our selection of free games includes popular online slot machines and even some table games. You don’t need to register or download anything; you can play them immediately on your browser.

The purpose of the lobby is to offer you the option to try out online casino games without having to sign up with an online casino or place real money wagers.

Gambling Laws & Regulations

Is gambling legal?
Gambling is allowed in Canada. Only Ontario has regulated and licensed casino platforms for the residence of the province.

What is online gambling?
Online gambling means any gambling taking place on the internet. In Canada, online gambling covers online sports betting, online casino platforms, and online poker. Real money online bingo, for instance, is considered gambling.

Is online gambling illegal in the Canada?
Online gambling is legal in most of Canada, and is regulated in Ontario.

What is the legal gambling age in Canada?
In most provinces, you must be a minimum of 19 years old to legally gamble online. The age limits apply as follows:

Can I gamble online for real money?
Yes, real money online gambling is legal in all provinces.

Are online casinos legit?
Yes, there are plenty of legal online casinos in Canada. For most Canadian provices, online gambling has not been licensed. Currently, you can play with legal commercial online casinos in Onatario. The province have granted licenses to various online casino operators that are committed to following the local rules and regulations. Furthermore, province-licensed online casinos provide safe and secure transactions and extensive tools for responsible gambling.

Is online poker legal in the Canada?
Yes, online poker is allowed to play in all provinces, but have yet to launch online poker platforms.

Can I use VPN to gamble online?
No. Regulated online sportsbooks and online casinos use different geolocation or geofencing technologies to limit out-of-state play. Some platforms immediately block you from accessing their site if they detect you are trying to visit their website or app using a VPN connection.

Online Casinos & Sportsbooks

What is the best site for online gambling?
In all honesty, it’s very difficult to crown one online gambling site as the best. At the end of the day, online casinos and sportsbooks share a lot of similarities, leaving very little room for unique selling points. It really boils down to your personal preferences: maybe there are some aspects that you appreciate more than others.

If we had to pick one platform, at the moment, we’d have to pick Lucky Nugget Casino. Lucky Nugget operates in all Canada and offers sports betting. Casino Action offers an excellent variety of casino games and betting options and has some of the best welcome bonuses and promotions in the industry.

That being said, there are other excellent platforms for you to choose. Zodiac Casino and Jackpot City Casino are fantastic picks for casino players.

What is the best online casino for beginners?
Most online casinos are very beginner-friendly. BetMGM has excellent guides and a clear user interface, making it very comfortable to navigate even as a new player. BetRivers Casino also offers a clean, no-frills platform that is easy to grasp from the get-go, and has a good casino bonus alternative to the deposit match bonuses that the majority of other online casinos offer.

How do I recognize a legitimate online casino?
Safe online casino platforms will have proof of their license as an embedded certificate, usually at the site’s footer. For instance, if you’re looking for an online casino in Ontario, a legitimate casino page will have information about the license that has been admitted by Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Many gaming regulators have public documents about the operators who have been granted an online gambling license. You can find these documents online on the regulator’s website.

Do online casinos offer gambling across Canada?
Yes. Legitimate real-money casinos are available in Canada.

Can I play with offshore casinos?
Technically, there is very little that’s legally stopping you. However, we vehemently advise against it. Offshore online casinos are not legally bound to follow any rules and regulations that Canadian casinos have. This means that offshore casinos could just take your money and personal details and run with them – and would face no legal repercussions by doing so.

Playing with offshore casinos is a huge risk, as you might be giving out personal details and banking information to unsavory operators or organizations. Their games could well be rigged, and even if you won, there’s no guarantee you’d ever be paid your winnings.

Bonuses & Promotions

How do I claim a bonus code?
The process could vary according to the platform you’re wagering with. Generally speaking, the process goes approximately as follows:

1. Find a valid bonus code for a casino or a sportsbook.
2. Copy the bonus code or use a bonus link to access the gambling platform.
3. In the case of a welcome bonus, register a new account as instructed by the platform.
4. Insert the bonus code in the indicated field.
5. There are usually some requirements that you have to meet in order to claim the bonus, such as making a qualifying deposit or placing a bet. This is always specified in the Terms and Conditions of the bonus, so it’s definitely in your best interest to read the fine print.

Once you’ve met the prerequisites, you’ll receive the bonus on your casino or sportsbook account

Note that bonuses come with predetermined wagering requirements that you have to meet before you can withdraw any winnings.

Do I need a code to claim a bonus?
No. While many online casinos and sportsbooks have bonus codes, there are just as many online gambling platforms that have not implemented a bonus code system. These types of iGaming sites or apps offer bonuses often through affiliate links.

Our gambling reviews feature both bonus codes and links. Golden Nugget Casino, for example, doesn’t require you to fill in bonus codes; you can claim the welcome bonus simply through a link.

Why do casinos offer free bonuses?
Casinos and sportsbooks offer bonuses to both attract new customers and retain existing ones. If an online casino offers free bonus spins or no-deposit bonuses, a customer is given a chance to gamble without risking their own funds. The same applies to your typical Bet & Get bonuses: by betting a couple of dollars, you receive up to hundreds of Canadian dollars worth of bonus bets. This is an effective method to introduce the gaming platform to new customers.

These types of bonuses come with wagering requirements. The goal of these requirements is to prevent the customer from claiming the bonus and bolting right away and keep them playing until the wagering has been fulfilled.

What casino bonus has the best value?
It really depends on what you’re looking for and how much you’re ready to deposit. If you’re looking for a no-deposit bonus, then platforms like BetMGM, Borgata, and Stardust offer some of the best bonuses for you. If you want to have as big of a deposit match as possible, then head over to Caesars Palace Online Casino. Or, if you’re looking for a good deposit match bonus for a smaller deposit, then consider Party Casino.

Each bonus comes with its own pros and cons, but we personally tend to favor bonuses that combine a no-deposit promotion with a deposit match bonus, thanks to their flexible nature. There are alsooptions to spin-the-wheel at some casinos to land a bonus offer.

Why didn’t I get my bonus?
There could be multiple reasons behind this, but the most probable reason is that you didn’t meet the terms and conditions of the bonus. Some common occurrences are that you have failed to opt in, didn’t meet the minimum deposit requirement, missed out on the promotional period, or used an outdated bonus code.

If you’re certain that you’ve met all the bonus criteria, reach out to the casino or sportsbook’s customer service team. They’ll fix the mistake as soon as possible.

What are bonus wagering requirements?
Bonus wagering or playthrough requirements refer to the amount you have to wager before you can withdraw winnings from your account. Online gambling bonuses have these requirements to prevent players from abusing bonus offers and to keep them playing on the platform for an extended period of time.

For instance, you could claim a casino bonus that has a 20x wagering requirement. This means that you have to wager 20x your bonus funds before you can withdraw winnings. You could also encounter T&Cs stating that you have to wager through the bonus funds plus the initial deposit before you can cash out.

Many platforms track the process of your wagering requirements for you. You can also calculate the amount you’re required to play through simple multiplication: if the bonus has a 20x wagering requirement, just multiply the bonus funds by 20. For example, if you received $20 in bonus funds, you have to wager 20 x $20 = $400.

Account

How do I register an account?
First, you have to be of legal gambling age to register a casino or sportsbook account. Then, visit either the gambling site or app to sign up.

In order to register an account with an online gambling platform, you are required to give your personal details. You will be asked for your full name, date of birth, phone number, street address, zip code, the last four numbers of your Social Security Number, and so on. This process is required by the law to confirm your identity and to ensure you are of legal gambling age, among other things.

You will have to verify your account in order to place any wagers. This is usually done through a verification link. The casino or sportsbook platform will also ask you to upload official documents as proof of your identity.

While there are slight differences in online gambling registration procedures, the basics are usually uniform on all platforms.

Can I have more than one account?
No. Each gambling platform allows only one account per user. You can, however, have accounts on different platforms.

Why do I need to verify my account?
For legal reasons. Regulated and licensed online gambling platforms are obligated by the law to verify the identity of their customers.

I’m requested to upload personal documents to complete account verification. Is it safe?
If you’re playing with a licensed platform, then yes, it’s safe. Regulated sportsbook and casino sites have extremely advanced systems and secure platforms to ensure that your data is kept safe.

How can I change my password?
You can usually do this on your own account page. Log in to your account, go to your account details or settings and change the password.

If you’ve forgotten your password, you can prompt a password reset, usually through the login screen. If there is no such option, you can also reach out to the customer care team for further assistance.

Can I delete my account?
Yes. You can request account closure from the customer service team, or you can navigate your account page for the correct option. All platforms also offer options for temporary account closure if you’re looking for a non-permanent solution.

Mobile Devices

Can I gamble on mobile?
Yes. Most, if not all, online gambling platforms have excellent mobile apps for Android and iOS systems. The websites have also been optimized for different devices, meaning that they’re visually pleasing and function just as well on mobile browsers.

What is the best gambling app for real money?
Currently, the best-rated gambling app is FanDuel. FanDuel’s online casino app boasts excellent reviews and offers an enjoyable gaming experience for mobile players. The app has also been praised for its accessibility, as people utilizing screen readers have been able to wager on the app mostly without a hitch.

How do I download a casino app?
You can find most sportsbook and casino apps simply by searching for them on Google Play Store or the App Store. If you have trouble finding the correct app, visit the casino or sportsbook website. They often have instructions for downloading the app or QR codes that assist you with the download.

Do I have to download a casino app to gamble on mobile?
In the vast majority of cases, no. Gambling providers’ websites function well on mobile browsers, so you’re not required to download the app to play on mobile.

There are some exceptions to this. There are gambling platforms that are exclusively available as apps. Additionally, some platforms have bonus offers that can only be claimed via their respective app.

Payment Methods

Do online casinos pay real money?
Yes, licensed online casino platforms pay out real money winnings.

Can I play casino games online for free?
Yes. You can play free casino games on our Free Games page. There are also many social casinos that allow you to play casino-style games for free.

If you’re looking to play at an online casino for free, look for no-deposit bonuses.

Can I win real money with free spins?
Yes. If you’ve received bonus spins at an online casino, there is a chance that they will convert to real money. That being said, free spins are often low-value spins, meaning that the potential winnings are also on the smaller side.

Are there crypto casinos in Canada?
Yes, BitStarz Casino is our recommended crypto casino in Canada.

How do I make a deposit?
Log in to your casino or sportsbook account. There is usually an option for ‘Cashier’ where you can make deposits. Choose your preferred deposit method and enter the amount you wish to deposit. Depending on your chosen method, you will be prompted to fill in some information (like insert your bank account number or log in to PayPal). Agree to the terms and conditions if applicable and then confirm your deposit.

Most deposit methods are instant, and your funds will show on your account balance as soon as you complete the process.

How can I cash out winnings?
Log in to your casino account. Pick the ‘Cashier’ option or equivalent. Choose your preferred withdrawal method, the amount you’d like to cash out, and submit.

Withdrawals are not instant. Withdrawal times vary according to your chosen method, with various eWallet methods, such as Paypal and Skrill, having the least delay. For a comprehensive list of available payment methods and withdrawal times, visit the FAQ section of your chosen gambling platform.

What online casino has the fastest payouts?
Truthfully, there are very few differences between online casinos in this regard. Online casinos have nearly identical selections of available payment methods, meaning that the withdrawal times across the platforms are also similar. You can visit our page for fast payout casinos for further information.

If you’re looking for fast payouts, opt for online casinos with low wagering bonuses and favor banking methods like eWallets or prepaid cards.

Are gambling wins taxed?
Depends. professional gamblers must pay income tax on gambling winnings in Canada.

What is the tax rate for gambling winnings?
There is no direct gambling tax in Canada.

Can I write off gambling losses on taxes?
Yes, if you are paying taxes on gambling winnings as a professional gambler in Canada, you can deduct your gambling losses.

Can I make money by gambling?
You could get extremely lucky and win yourself some extra money. However – and we can’t emphasize this enough: do not start gambling in the hopes of getting rich. The base premise of gambling is that, in the long run, the house always wins. We never encourage people to take up gambling as a source of income. Approach gambling first and foremost as a form of entertainment. Only gamble if you have the funds to spare.

Taxation

Overview of Provincial Gambling Taxation Regulations in Canada
In Canada, while direct taxes on gambling are not imposed, those who gamble professionally or earn interest on their gambling winnings are required to report this income on their tax returns. The rate of income tax applied to these earnings varies across provinces. Below is a summary detailing the expected tax rates on gambling interest income for each Canadian province.

• Ontario
  In Ontario, tax rates on gambling interest income vary from 5.05% to 13.16%, based on the gambler’s total income. This province, alongside its capital’s casino operations licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission Ontario (AGCO), provides specific guidance for online gambling platforms in Toronto regarding ON-centric tax information.
• Quebec
  Gamblers in Quebec, including those frequenting Montreal’s casino sites, face a 14% tax on their initial $49,275 of gambling income, with the percentage increasing for higher earnings throughout the fiscal year.
• British Columbia
  Online gambling earnings in British Columbia are subject to a tiered tax system, starting at 5.06% for the first $45,654 and escalating to 20.50% for any income exceeding $240,716.
• Alberta
  Alberta distinguishes itself with rounded tax rates, imposing a flat 10% on the first $142,292 of gambling income. Additional brackets in Calgary and throughout the province cap at a 15% tax for incomes above $341,502.
• Manitoba
  The tax structure in Manitoba consists of three brackets, starting at 10.80% for earnings up to $36,842, and increasing to 17.40% for amounts beyond $79,625.
• Saskatchewan
  Saskatchewan imposes a 10.50% tax on the initial $49,720 of gambling income. This is followed by a 12.50% rate up to $142,058, and 14.50% thereafter.
• Nova Scotia
  Nova Scotia’s tax regime starts at 8.79% for gambling income up to $29,590, with a series of brackets leading up to a 21% tax rate for incomes surpassing $150,000.
• New Brunswick
  In New Brunswick, gamblers are taxed 9.4% on the first $47,715 of income, with the rate climbing to 19.5% for earnings over $176,756.
• Prince Edward Island
  This province offers three tax brackets for gambling income, starting at 9.8% for the first $31,984, escalating to 16.7% for amounts above $63,969.
• Newfoundland and Labrador
  The tax rates in Newfoundland and Labrador range from 8.7% for the first $41,457 of gambling income to 21.8% for earnings exceeding $1,059,000, with six brackets in between.

Responsible Gambling

Where can I get help with problem gambling?
If you or a loved one needs help with problem gambling, reach out to the National Problem Gambling Helplines. The helpline offers services 24/7/365. You will be connected to a trained professional that is specialized in providing assistance, guidance, and resources for gambling-related issues. Contacting the helpline is fully confidential, and your identity will not be disclosed anywhere without consent.

• Alberta Problem Gambling Resources Network
  1-866-461-1259
• British Columbia Problem Gambling Help Line
  1-888-795-6111
• Quebec Gambling: Help and Referral
  1-800-461-0140
• Manitoba Addictions Help Line – Problem Gambling
  1-800-463-1554
• Newfoundland Problem Gambling Help Line
  1-888-899-4357
• New Brunswick Gambling Information Line
  1-800-461-1234
• Northwest Territories General Help Line
  1-800-661-0844
• Nova Scotia Problem Gambling Help Line
  1-888-347-8888
• Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line
  1-800-265-3333
• Ontario ConnexOntario Help Line
  1-866-531-2600
• Prince Edward Island Problem Gambling Help Line
  1-855-255-4255
• Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline
  1-800-306-6789
• Yukon Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services
  1-866-456-3838

Where can I seek help for a gambling problem?

There are numerous support groups, people, communities and medical facilities available to support anyone who believes they might have a problem gambling. Many provinces also offer local help and resources for problem gambling. You can reach out to the following groups to get you started:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• Problem Gambling CA
• Gam-Anon

Is gambling bad for you?
Gambling can cause addiction, which in turn can lead to various financial and mental problems. Gambling can cause similar reactions in your brain as addictive substances like drugs or alcohol. If you notice any signs that you’re not in control of your gaming habits or are compulsively thinking about gambling, you could have a problem.

Are there ways to prevent problem gambling?
First, it’s important to be aware of the risks gambling involves. If you know you’re prone to addiction, we suggest you just skip gambling altogether. Knowing that gambling can be a highly addictive pastime allows you to incorporate tools to prevent your gambling habits from getting out of control. All regulated gambling platforms offer various tools and limitations that you can use to keep yourself in check.

You can, for example, set daily or weekly time limits or spending limits for yourself. You can also request a timeout on your account or add yourself to a voluntary self-exclusion list.

Is online gambling worth it?

It all boils down to what you’re looking to gain by gambling. If you are financially stable, have funds to spare, and are looking to gamble just for entertainment purposes, then online gambling can be fun. However, if you are thinking about taking up gambling to make money, then you’re on the wrong track. Do not resort to gambling as a method to get rich. It is not sustainable.