2000: Launch of Casino Rewards
The Casino Rewards Group was created in 2000 and the idea behind it was to connect several online casinos under one shared loyalty program. Casino Rewards made a huge impact due to their generous bonuses and promotions and that the loyalty program was available across a number of sites.
2003 - 2005: The Growth of Early Brands
Some well known casinos launched as part of the Casino Rewards Group in the early 2000's. Captain Cooks, Casino Classic, and Yukon Gold are three of them. This gave Canadian players more choice and competitive bonuses that they could claim. They could also use their loyalty points on any of the sites.
2006 - 2010: Jackpot Wins and Player Trust
Between the years of 2006 and 2010 there were some massive jackpot wins reported within the Rewards Network. This helped to boost visibility and more and more players joined to try and become the next big winner. The big wins came on progressive slots like Mega Moolah. The member sites were all powered by Microgaming and exclusive games were being developed as well.
The Casino Rewards Group also got their license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) during this time period.
2011 - 2015: Expansion and VIP Tiers
By 2011 there was a massive increase in player membership and Luxury Casino and Grand Mondial were added to the group. It was during this period that tiered VIP levels were introduced. This made things a bit more interesting and allowed members to climb the VIP ladder to get from Bronze to Privé. The higher they climbed the bigger the benefits. The highest levels offered personal VIP hosts, exclusive gifts, and even faster withdrawals.
2016 - 2019: Widening Recognition
In the years from 2016 to 2019 Casino Rewards really made itself known. It was recognised across the whole industry as one of the largest loyalty programmes in the world. The group was praised for the stability it brought players and it was trusted. It was during this time period that Casino Rewards sites received eCOGRA certification.
2020 - 2021: Staying Strong During the Pandemic
The entire gambling industry faced some challenges during the pandemic. Casino Rewards managed to stay active throughout the year and this was mainly due to the fact that everything was online.
2022: Ontario iGaming Market Opens
Ontario opened its iGaming market in April 2022. This was a major year for the Casino Rewards history in Canada as seven member sites secured licenses through Apollo Entertainment Ltd with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The 7 casinos with iGO licensing are:
- Zodiac Casino
- Yukon Gold
- Casino Classic
- Captain Cooks
- Golden Tiger
- Grand Mondial
- Luxury Casino
2023 - 2024: Continued Growth in Canada
At more than 20 years old, the Rewards Group continued to attract Canadian players from 2023 to 2024 with some very competitive bonuses. These included Casino Rewards no deposit free spins, and free spins for $1. There were also minimum deposit offers for $5 and $10 which more and more casino players were looking for. They also boosted their VIP rewards, and birthday bonuses.
2025: Innovation and New Features
Some major new updates were introduced in 2025. This included the Casino Rewards Highest Win Rate Guarantee. This guarantees that players will always get the highest RTP percentage on the slots they play.
Pragmatic Play software was added in February 2025 giving players more choice. The entire Big Bass slots series was added as well as popular Pragmatic Live Dealer games like the Mega Wheel, Mega Roulette, and Sweet Bonanza Candyland.
2026 and Beyond: Alberta Market Expansion
Alberta's regulated iGaming market is expected to open in early 2026. It is expected that the seven Casino Rewards casinos already licensed in Ontario under Apollo Entertainment Ltd, will secure licenses in Alberta as well.
The Casino Rewards Group is already one of the top online casino loyalty programs in Canada and securing an iGaming Alberta license will make it the first loyalty program to operate in both Ontario and Alberta.
Is Casino Rewards Canada Legit?
The Casino Rewards history in Canada has shown how a loyalty program launched in 2000 has grown into one of the most trusted VIP programs in the world. With 25+ member sites to choose from and seven of them also licensed by the AGCO for Ontario, it is safe to say that this group is definitely legit.
The Rewards Group continues to grow and evolve moving with the trends and giving players what they're looking for. With iGaming Alberta set to launch in 2026, there's even more to come.
Other Casino Rewards Guides for Canada
To find out more, and to see why these are often the best online casinos Canada has to offer, be sure to read through some of our other guides for 2025 players. These include information on VIP gifts as well as how to earn and redeem loyalty points. We also have information on withdrawals, wagering requirements, and the latest big winners from Canada. Check out the links below.
