The Best Online Casinos In Manitoba

The online casino industry has evolved significantly during the last couple of decades with brand new sites popping up on an almost daily basis. So, what does this mean for the residents of Manitoba? Is online gambling legal for Manitobans and how can you tell the difference between a secure site and one that’s rogue and should be avoided at all costs?

Rest assured, this guide provides all the answers you need for a reliable and safe online gambling experience in Manitoba. This includes how to spot the good from the bad, where to register for a safe experience, and whether online gambling is actually legal in Manitoba.

The History and Legalization of Gambling in Manitoba

First and foremost, let’s quickly answer the burning question on everyone’s lips: ‘Yes, online gambling is legal in Manitoba!’ However, you must be 18 years or older to register and a member of PlayNow.com. But you are also able to register with offshore casinos where you may enjoy a wider variety of online games and bonuses.

Let’s take a step back in time and discover the history of Manitoba gambling. It originated with the landmark decision in 1969 to amend the Criminal Code of Cananda to legalize gambling across the provinces. A year later, the government introduced the Manitoba Centennial Lottery Act and the region became one of the first to conduct legal lotteries. In 1971, the Lottery Act legalized lottery games and the Manitoba Lotteries Commission was born.

Zip through the years to 1989 and Manitoba licensed its first ever government-controlled Canadian gambling venue, Crystal Casino. Profits from the site were fed into the country’s healthcare and other charitable activities. In 2013, the government launched its first online site, PlayNow.com to combat the widespread offshore gambling activities enjoyed by Canadians. The site offers casino gaming, sports betting, and lotteries. It is regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba.

How to Spot a Good Online Casino in Manitoba

Choosing an online casino that best suits your needs can be a challenging task, but it’s made much easier by only considering those that tick specific boxes such as appropriate licensing, trusted payment options, certified game fairness, and realistic bonus terms. Here are some tips on what to look out for when selecting the best online casinos in Manitoba:

• Payment Methods – the best online sites offer Canadians a range of trusted payment providers from local to worldwide options. Popular methods include Visa, Interac, Skrill, iDebit, and Mastercard.
• Appropriately Licensed – top online casinos will be licensed and regulated by a trusted gaming authority like the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, or Malta Gaming Authority.
• Game Fairness – the best online casinos will employ third-party auditors like eCOGRA to test and monitor the RTP (Return to Player) rates and RNG (Random Number Generator) stats to ensure games are fair and legit.
• Realistic Bonuses – top online sites will offer fair and achievable bonuses with realistic terms and conditions. A good example would be a bonus with average wagering requirements, such as 40x to be completed within 7 days.
• Games and Software – top casinos will offer a wide choice of games such as slots, table games, live dealer options, and instant wins, from best-in-business software developers such as Evolution, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Quickspin, and Red Tiger.
• Mobile Compatibility – the best sites will offer a fully optimized platform for mobile play that can be launched directly from your device’s web browser for instant play. Some casinos may also offer a dedicated mobile application.
• Customer Support – top sites will offer a multilingual support team that is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via email or live chat.
• Responsible Gambling – the best online casinos will offer their players access to protection tools to promote responsible gaming. These tools include deposit, loss, and wager limits, reality checks, time-outs, and self-exclusion.  

Sites to Avoid in Manitoba

Unfortunately, online gamblers in Manitoba may fall foul to rogue sites if they’re not careful in their casino selection. We advise you check for all of the above points and steer clear if a site seems to be offering a ‘too good to be true’ deal. Here are a few key characteristics to avoid:

• Unclear licensing information and lack of SSL encryption for transactions
• Huge bonuses with unrealistic terms and unfair conditions (70x wagering within 24 hours)
• Unresponsive or even rude customer support who are difficult to get hold of
• No information on withdrawal times and/or limits, plus a history of complaints for the time taken to cash-out
• Bad reputation amongst players and online reviewers
• Terms and conditions page full of ‘jargon’ and no clarity