Bovada Casino Review

Darko Ilievski by Darko Ilievski Reading time: 10min

This Canada review of Bovada Casino has found a brand with great potential. However, adjustments must be made to unlock that potential, as you will learn in the review below.

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Bovada Casino Pros and Cons

Here are the Bovada benefits picked up in our Canada review:
  • $3,000 bonus package
  • $3,750 Bitcoin bonus package
  • Play on mobile or desktop
  • Bovada Gaming software
  • Wide range of progressive jackpots
  • GlobalSign security certificate
With Bovada, our review found these concerning issues:
  • No deposit accepted from Canada
  • Operates without a licence
  • Difficult to access with VPN
  • High rate of complaints
  • Free spins seldom available
Casino Details
  • Software RTG, Betsoft, Proprietary,
  • Payment Methods Visa Mastercard Bitcoin
  • Established 2011
  • Licence Costa Rica
Bovada
Bovada
Bovada
Bovada Casino Bonus

Welcome Bonus and Promotions

Bovada Casino has crafted a huge welcome package that provides up to $3,000 in bonus credit. Provided over three deposits, the package is comprised of three 100% bonus offers that can each be matched up to $1,000 in USD. Deposits of $20 or more are eligible for each bonus offer, with no free spins provided.

According to the bonus terms, Casino Bovada applies 25x play-through requirements on the bonus value plus your deposit. Always take care to review the wagering requirements for any bonus. Quite often, a bonus can seem to have generous wagering requirements until you realise they also apply to your deposit.

At BovadaCasino, Bitcoin depositors can reap the benefits of an alternative bonus package. In this case, there are three 125% bonus offers to claim. And each of the bonus deals can be received up to $1,250 for a complete package value of $3,750. Wagering requirements will be identical for the Bitcoin welcome bonus.

In a review, it's fun to find bonus free spins for our readers. Obviously, there's a lump sum of bonus credit here, but the Bovada offer would have more levels if it also came with free spins. Review readers should explore our site for help in locating casino sites that can deliver no deposit free spins as part of multi-level bonus offers.

Bovada Casino Bonus and Promotions for Canada

Bovada Casino has previously operated in Canada, but licensing issues have appeared to hindered access as of this review. Consequently, we cannot review any exclusive free spins or no deposit bonus deals. An obvious alternative is to claim a Canada bonus from Bodog Casino. Bovada and Bodog operate on the same network and share similar software partners.

Bovada Casino Software

Bodog Network at Bovada Casino

Bovada Casino is operated on the Bodog Network and receives a selection of proprietary software developed in-house. This only represents a fraction of all the software, however, with external studios contributing on a third-party basis. Among the outside contributors are Revolver Gaming, Real Time Gaming (RTG), Rival and Spinomenal.

When we performed this review, Bovada Casino used location tracking software that was so strong it was nearly impossible to visit the site, even with a virtual private network (VPN). As such, even a VPN is unlikely to help review readers try out any of the online casino games free in Canada with no deposit by using practice mode.

Bovada Casino has long favoured a browser-based approach of game delivery. Streaming is the way forward for desktop players and access can be enjoyed with either the Mac or Windows operating systems. Mainstream browsers can stream the majority of the content if Flash, Java and any other necessary plugins are installed.

Popular Games at Bovada

7 Frenzy Fortunes
7 Frenzy Fortunes
Buccaneer Bash
Buccaneer Bash
Thunder Clash
Thunder Clash
Golden Blitz
Golden Blitz
Charms & Treasures
Charms & Treasures
Vegas XL
Vegas XL
Enchanted Forest of Fortune
Enchanted Forest of Fortune
Toltec Gems
Toltec Gems
Triple Lucky 8s
Triple Lucky 8s
More Gold Diggin
More Gold Diggin
Hearts Desire
Hearts Desire
Bovada Casino Mobile

Mobile Gaming/Live Casino for Canada

Bovada Casino is similar to other smaller brands in that it's not financially viable to host unique mobile casino apps for Android and iOS. As such, all users with tablets and smartphones on those operating systems are expected to access the Bovada mobile casino with the web app.

With a single URL, Bovada can operate a responsive web app that can accommodate desktop and mobile players alike. Conveniently, only one account is required to enjoy the games on all platforms. Visually, the mobile casino offers crisp imagery, clearly laid out categories and easily loadable content.

The Bodog network has come through again by furnishing Bovada with a suite of fully functional live casino tables. In the lobby, this review appreciated the personal feel that comes from getting to see the pictures and names from the inclusive cast of live dealers. From the main menu, stakes can be confirmed and seats are chosen.

More than dozen live tables are allocated to host blackjack, with a couple devoted to an early payout version. For live roulette, players can choose from American and European rules. Rounding out the live casino suite are tables for hosting Super 6 and Baccarat.

Games and Payout Percentages

When looking for a good Canadian online casino, one of the first features that players are interested in, is the game selection. And this might be Bovada's strongest attribute. Users who gain access to Bovada will have their pick of video slots, video poker, progressive jackpots, blackjack, and roulette. For anyone who breaks through the location restrictions, it may be possible to access some of the games with no deposit, though not the live dealers.

From the library, we were drawn to the video slots for their bonus features and free spins in this review. If our review readers can ever gain access, we believe they will enjoy having the chance to release countless free spins. RTG slots, in particular, are rich with opportunities to receive free spins.

There's also a sense of diversification within the slot selection. Themes have been selected for each slot title and give a sense of what to expect from the gameplay. As prime examples, we can highlight Reign of Gnomes, Pandas Go Wild, Spin the Wheel, A Day at the Derby, A Switch in Time, 5-Reel Circus, Arabian Tales, As the Reels Turn and Gods of Luxor.

Blackjack is then the biggest subcategory within table games, as is often the case at online casinos. From the Bodog network, users can play Blackjack, Single Deck Blackjack or Double Deck Blackjack. The remaining tables then feature 21 Blackjack Classic, Zappit Blackjack, and Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

With the remaining casino tables, you can encounter two versions apiece for European Roulette and American Roulette. Dice games are also included in the form of Craps and Roll the Dice, while the poker tables feature Tri-Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Hold'em and Caribbean Stud.

Courtesy of RTG, there's 10 video poker games and the ability to wager with one, three, 10 or 52 hands. Jacks or Better is often popular with players and it can also be fun to try Deuces Wild, Loose Deuces, Joker Poker, Bonus Poker, Bonus Poker Deluxe, Double Double Bonus Poker and Double Jackpot Poker.

At Bovada Casino, we identified the following payout percentages for this Canada review:

  • All Games - 97.31%
  • Slots games - 95.97% for Reign of Gnomes
  • Table games - 99.50% for Blackjack Early Payout
  • Poker games - 99.17% for Bonus Poker

Progressive Jackpots - Winners

In the history of BovadaCasino, few players have been so fortunate as Carlos L. The Virginia native sprung to life in March 2018 when he won a huge $121,983.56 progressive jackpot. Carlos opted to stake $5 on the A Night with Cleo slot when he struck it lucky and triggered the random jackpot.

A Night with Cleo isn't the only progressive slot with a jackpot that reaches six figures. The others can include Shopping Spree, 5x Progressive and 777 Deluxe. For some easier targets, look for options such as Cyberpunk City, Bulletproof Babes, Caesar's Victory, Aztec's Treasure, Birds of Fury and Gold Rush Gus.

Other Great Casino Websites

Banking Options for Canada

When this review was performed, BovadaCasino would process no deposit from here in Canada. Some of the payment methods are usable in Canada, though not for depositing at this particular casino site. Until Casino Bovada can welcome back Canada players, as it did in the past, no deposit will be accepted in CAD - only USD.

In the review process, we came across several banking options that consisted of VISA, MasterCard and American Express. It was more impressive, however, to find Bovada Casino willing to accept crypto deposits with Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash. Moving forward, cryptos could become a more popular form of deposit for their rooting in the highly secure Blockchain architecture.

Bovada Casino Banking

Popular Casino Payment Methods in 2024

The availability of various payment options is a crucial aspect of the player experience at online casinos. From credit cards to e-wallets, casinos offer a diverse range of options each with its own pros and cons. When evaluating casino payment methods, it's essential to consider the options available to players in order to choose the best method to meet the players' needs. Although Bovada Casino is popular for the extensive payment options listed in this review, other popular casinos also offer payment options for Canadians. Three of these casinos are highlighted below:

  • Spin Casino - At Spin Casino, Canadian players have access to several convenient payment options for both deposits and withdrawals. These include Mastercard, Visa, MuchBetter, Paysafecard, Skrill (including Skrill 1 Tap), ecoPayz, Neosurf, and Neteller. All deposit transactions are fast and typically result in instant access to funds. When it comes to withdrawals, players can expect to receive funds to the same payment method they used for the initial deposit. However, it's worth noting that Spin Casino may charge a fee for withdrawals and that there are specific withdrawal rules and requirements to take note of. Withdrawal requests are pending for a minimum of 24 hours, which gives players the option to reverse the withdrawal if desired.
  • Party Casino - This casino provides a wide range of secure payment options for its customers. The most popular options include credit cards and debit cards such as Mastercard and Visa, plus Interac which is the most loved option for Canadian players. e-wallets such as Paypal, Skrill and Neteller, prepaid cards such as Paysafecard and Entropay, and bank transfers, ensuring convenient deposits. The casino usually doesn't charge any fees and processes payments quickly, making the funds available in the account promptly. Most banking methods can also be used for withdrawals, with a few exceptions such as prepaid cards. There is a 24-hour pending period for all withdrawal requests during which customers can cancel their request. After this, the payout completion time varies based on the method used but is typically within one or two days.
  • Captain Cooks - Captain Cooks Casino offers simple and efficient payment options, including Credit/debit cards like Visa and Mastercard, e-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill and PayPal, Qiwi and Direct bank transfer are accepted as deposit methods with a minimum deposit of C$5. Visa, eChecks, Mastercard, PayPal, EcoPayz, Neteller and more are also available for withdrawals, except for direct bank transfers which come with a fee. Withdrawals take 1-3 days for e-wallets, 2-3 days for Visa/Mastercard, and 6-10 days for direct bank transfers. There is a 48-hour reverse time and restrictions on minimum and maximum daily, weekly, and monthly withdrawal transactions, with a minimum credit of C$50 and a daily limit of 10,000 units or 4,000 units per week for high earnings. Neteller is recommended for fast and fee-free withdrawals.

Customer Support

Users can check in with the Bovada help centre, where the casino and live dealer sections are the obvious locations. Other possible areas of interest would be Bitcoin, bonus offers, and account and security. Registered users can also visit the forum to review answers provided by fellow players.

For users who prefer communication, Bovada Casino can review your concerns by email or live chat. Email can seem appealing if you want to submit images to support your issue, but it can take longer for staff to review a submission. A Bovada Twitter account is also operated, though is focused on sports content.

Security and Fairness at Bovada Casino

The security setup was quickly confirmed during our review. By checking the browser-based security, we found Bovada Casino was protected by 256-bit RSA encryption, which was revealed by a valid security certificate from GlobalSign. The presence of encryption feels especially important, given the licensing concerns we need to address in this Canada review.

For this review, there was no way of accurately gauging the fairness of Bovada Casino and its random number generator (RNG) software. A Kahnawake Gaming Commission licence was last held in 2011 and it seems Casino Bovada has been operating without a licence ever since. This assessment is shared by several other online casino specialists in the industry.

Casino History/Complaints

When Bovada Casino opened in 2011, it was operated alongside Bodog by the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group. By October 2015, Morris Mohawk ceased all operations after divesting the Bodog brand in December 2011. At the time of this Canada review, Bodog and Bovada are operated on the same network. Present operations appear to be unlicensed and are conducted by Il Nido Limited of Antigua and Barbuda.

Within the marketplace, this review has identified hundreds of complaints made against Bovada Casino. Everything from bonus terms to delayed withdrawals appears in the complaints. Unfortunately, there's little that can be done without a licensing authority above the brand. Enlisting the help of an online portal to review the issue seems like the only course of action.

Player Location Restrictions

Bovada Casino was once a widely accessible brand for players living in Canada and other parts of the world. Since leaving the Kahnawake jurisdiction, no deposit transactions have been permitted from Canada. Here are some of the notable locations that were also denied access of this review: Asia, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Unique Casino Features for Canada

Currently, a unique feature would be as simple as Bovada Casino removing the no deposit policy on review readers living here in Canada. When that happens, Bovada can consider the introduction of CAD-based bonus offers, including exclusive no deposit free spins for Canada. At that point, BovadaCasino can also reconsider its linguistic approach and include French.

Bovada

Summary/Personal Recommendation

Bovada Casino hails from gambling royalty by operating alongside Bodog. Therefore, it would be a mistake for Il Nido to continue operating Bovada without a licence. Hundreds of player complaints have been submitted as of this Canada review and it's doing the brand no favours to continue running as it is.

Focusing on the positives, this Canada review can commend Bovada Casino for having access to the promising Bodog network, which features games developed in-house and generally solid performance. The span of game variety is huge, from slot and video poker to all existing table games. As for the latter, blackjack covers the most variants, so this online casino is perfect for an engaging free online blackjack game that can be played in a practice or real money mode. Additionally, Bovada has massive bonus offers and can even provide additional bonus credit for Bitcoin depositors.

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About the Author
 Darko Ilievski
Darko Ilievski - Managing Editor

Darko is an accomplished managing editor with more than 5 years of experience in the online gambling industry. With a wealth of knowledge at his disposal, he oversees the quality and accuracy of gaming content and specializes in researching and unloading high-quality reviews and articles. Darko also creates engaging and compelling content for various sectors at Online-Casinos.ca