Affiliate Expert Daisy Harrison shares her insights
You might think you are more into sports betting, or perhaps already love the online slots or perhaps you enjoy many different forms of iGaming. Whatever your preferred format is, you are not alone. Millions of Canadians enjoy gambling games – it is almost part of the cultural DNA and is enjoyed equally by men and women. Men tend to prefer active or strategic games like blackjack, sports betting, and poker, while women show a preference for chance-based games like slot machines and lottery tickets.
Regardless of what games are played, the market has been experiencing unprecedented growth in recent years. Ontario has been hailed as a model of success for a commercially regulated market, and Alberta’s version is set to launch shortly, coinciding with the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup.
Interestingly, online slots are amongst the most popular gaming genre, and we wanted to know how players can find the best online experience in a confusing market. We invited Daisy Harrison from the affiliate and review site Casino.org to come and tell us what she has discovered about the best online slots sites and what sets them apart from the competition.
Welcome to Ultimate Capper. We’ve heard great things about Casino.org, but just in case our readers are not familiar, could you tell us a bit more about you and the site you work for?
Hi, thanks for having me. I am Daisy, a content editor at Casino.org with over 9 years of experience in the iGaming industry. I cut my teeth writing slot reviews, and I am on a mission to find the best casinos and bonuses for our readers. My role is to provide players with trusted insights.
I’ve always loved writing (stories, diaries, shopping lists…), but the beauty of this role is that I get to help people too. The online gambling world can be a bit of a minefield if you’re not used to it. Here, however, I can use my expertise to enable players to make better choices.
That is the whole mission of Casino.org. We are an independent review site with over three decades of experience – since 1995, we’ve been (well, not me specifically) helping players find a casino that is their perfect match. We offer expert reviews, trusted guides and smart tools.
Thanks, Daisy. Are you saying that you get to play for a job? That sounds fun!
Well, I could say that it is a tough job, but someone has to do it! But in reality, what I do is much more than play. However, I have tested over 1,500 games to find the best real money slots in Canada. So, I think I can say with confidence that I know what makes a great slot game and a great online slots casino.
So, what makes a great online slots casino? Is it just the one with the best game of the month, or is it more complicated?
Lots of casinos can have similar games in their game libraries, so finding the best one is more nuanced than simply locating the game you like. Some online casinos have exclusive games, and that can be appealing, but we do advise iGamers to look before they leap.
What do they need to look for?
Well, fortunately, we do the looking and testing for them. We follow a 25-step review process before making any recommendations.
25! That’s quite a list, we can see why it is not all play now! So, what are you looking for?
Well, I won’t list them all, but essentially, we are checking for security, bonuses, regular promotions, game variety, mobile experience, payment options, and customer support. We are also really hot on responsible gambling, so we look to see what tools are available. After all, gambling is entertainment, and it needs to be fun.
Based on these factors, we assign a casino an overall rating. This is how we define what ones we recommend. Our lists are continually updated as we regularly re-check sites. If a casino makes improvements, we adjust its score to reflect the changes.
So that is how players can find great online casinos. What about the games themselves? What do you think makes a great online slot? Which are your favourites?
Sometimes I feel spoiled for choice, because there are so many excellent titles out there and lots of different slot styles. However, that is part of my job, and I get to choose my all-time favourites and the monthly and weekly top slots, which makes it easier.
We rate slots based on RTP (return to player), volatility, narrative, features, load speed, maximum win amounts, bonus features, graphics, and original mechanics. We also include licenses and fairness when rating slots. Any slot we recommend will have a fairness certificate and a valid license. For example, game developer Relax Gaming Limited is licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and six other international licensing bodies. In addition, their games are tested by eCOGRA – an independent testing body that ensures RTP rates are accurate and that game results are reliable.
What are your recommendations at the moment?
Game-wise, I’ve been loving both Heartbreakers by Pragmatic Play and Tombstone Begins by Nolimit City.
Heartbreakers features a trusty respin and collect features and a surprisingly high max win figure (for a low-volatility slot) of 10,000 x your stake.
Tombstone Begins, on the other hand, is the next highly volatile title in Nolimit City’s famous series. It might not offer the same payout potential as Tombstone Slaughter (20,000x stake vs 500,000x stake), but it’s definitely worth a spin.
But my slot of the month has to go to Hacksaw Gaming’s Le Digger. The max win is 15,000 times the stake, and we have a free demo on the site that your readers can play.
Thank you, Daisy!
So, there you have it, a comprehensive guide to finding your way around the online casino world that can be slightly confusing at times. As Daisy advised, it is essential to look before you leap and remember to keep the fun, fun! Gambling responsibly is key, so set your budget before each session and never borrow to try to recoup losses. Keep it light, fun, and entertaining. That way, you’ll have a great win-win experience.
