Before depositing real money, run this checklist to catch red flags early. It takes about an hour and eliminates 80% of risky casinos.
Step 1: Payment Method Ping (5 minutes)
Navigate to the cashier. Confirm Interac appears for both deposits and withdrawals. If Interac is deposit-only, note alternative withdrawal methods and check their timelines.
Step 2: Terms Scan (15 minutes)
Open the Terms and Conditions page. Search (Ctrl+F) for "withdrawal," "wagering," and "verification." Check for hidden clauses: maximum monthly withdrawal limits, bonus abuse definitions, restricted countries.
Step 3: Live Chat Probe (10 minutes)
Ask support: "What's the typical Interac withdrawal timeline?" and "What documents are required for KYC?" Compare their answer to what's published on the site. Contradictions are red flags.
Step 4: Demo First (30 minutes)
Play slots in demo mode to test game loading speed, RTP transparency, and whether the site's mobile version works smoothly. If demo games lag or crash, real-money play will be worse.
Step 5: Bonus Breakdown (10 minutes if claiming)
If you plan to claim a bonus, calculate the total wagering requirement. Example: C$100 deposit + C$100 bonus at 35x wagering = C$7,000 total wagering required. Verify max bet limits and expiry.
If the site fails any step (hidden terms, evasive support, broken demo games), abandon it immediately. Legitimate casinos pass all five steps without friction.
Author Tip: When I'm short on time, I skip to Step 2 (terms scan) and Step 3 (live chat probe). Searching the T&Cs for "withdrawal" and asking support about payout timelines takes 10 minutes total and catches 90% of problematic casinos.