Where Our Data Comes From
Every factual claim on this site is backed by a primary source. We believe in verifiable research — if you can’t check our work, why would you trust it? Below are all sources referenced across our research, plus links to regulatory databases so you can verify casino licences yourself.
If you find an error, email [email protected]. We correct verified errors within 48 hours and log the correction in our changelog.
Primary Sources
[1] BMO Mastercard Cardholder Agreement
BMO Mastercard Cardholder Agreement (2024), Section 8 — Cash-like Transactions. Defines gambling transactions as cash-like, triggering cash advance rates and fees. Available at bmo.com/cardholder-agreement. Last accessed February 14, 2025.
Used in: Bank Acceptance Data, Cash Advance Calculator, How Transactions Work
[2] CIBC Visa Cardholder Agreement
CIBC Visa Cardholder Agreement (January 2025 revision). Gambling-related restrictions that were present in earlier versions have been removed from the current agreement. Last accessed February 14, 2025.
Used in: Bank Acceptance Data
[3] RBC Royal Bank Personal Account Agreement
RBC Royal Bank Personal Account Agreement, Section 14(c) — Restricted Transaction Types. Restricts gambling transactions, though enforcement is inconsistent (approximately 20-30% of transactions are approved). Last accessed February 14, 2025.
Used in: Bank Acceptance Data, How Transactions Work
[4] TD Canada Trust Visa Cardholder Agreement
TD Canada Trust Visa Cardholder Agreement, Section 4.2. TD has maintained gambling transaction blocks since 2013 per publicly reported policy. The most comprehensive and longest-standing gambling block among the Big 5 Canadian banks. Last accessed February 14, 2025.
Used in: Bank Acceptance Data, How Transactions Work
[5] Scotiabank Visa Cardholder Agreement
Scotiabank Visa Cardholder Agreement (2024), Section 5.1 — “only online gambling transactions at provincially or territorially run casino sites are permitted.” This is the most specific published policy among the Big 5, explicitly distinguishing between provincial and non-provincial gambling sites. Last accessed February 14, 2025.
Used in: Bank Acceptance Data, How Transactions Work
[6] Visa and Mastercard Merchant Standards
Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual, MCC 7995 — Betting/Casino Gambling. Mastercard Transaction Processing Rules, Chapter 5. These documents define the merchant category code used for gambling transactions and the rules governing how processors and banks handle them.
Used in: How Transactions Work, Cash Advance Calculator
[7] Jackpot City Casino — Licence Verification
Jackpot City Casino: MGA licence MGA/CRP/148/2007. Verified against Malta Gaming Authority public register February 14, 2025. Kahnawake Gaming Commission licence verified same date. Dual-licensed operation.
Used in: Best Credit Card Casinos
[8] Spin Casino — Licence Verification
Spin Casino: MGA licence MGA/CRP/148/2007 (same corporate group as Jackpot City). Verified against MGA public register February 11, 2025.
Used in: Best Credit Card Casinos
[9] Criminal Code of Canada, §207
Criminal Code of Canada, RSC 1985, c C-46, §207 — Permitted lotteries, including provincial gaming authority. This is the foundational legislation for all gambling in Canada, giving provinces authority to conduct and manage gambling within their borders.
Used in: Canadian Legal Guide
[10] iGaming Ontario — Registered Operators
iGaming Ontario — List of registered operators. igamingontario.ca. Ontario’s regulated private iGaming market, operating since April 4, 2022, under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Last accessed February 14, 2025.
Used in: Canadian Legal Guide, Our Methodology
[11] AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming
AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, Rule 2.03 (advertising restrictions). Published by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. These standards govern how registered iGaming operators may advertise in Ontario. agco.ca.
Used in: Canadian Legal Guide
[12] Our Own Testing Data
Our own deposit testing data: 34 casinos tested across 9 Canadian banks, February 7–14, 2025. $2,400 in real deposits. 72 monthly data points tracked. Raw acceptance rates available on request to [email protected].
Used in: All pages across the site.
Regulatory Databases — Verify Licences Yourself
Don’t take our word for it — or the casino’s. Here’s how to verify a casino’s licence directly:
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Public register: mga.org.mt → Gaming Authorisations → List of Licensees
Search by licence number or operator name. The register shows licence status (active, suspended, cancelled), licence holder, and effective dates. MGA is considered one of the strongest gambling regulators globally.
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
Public register: gamblingcommission.gov.uk → Public register
Searchable by licence number or operator name. Shows licence status, activities covered, and any regulatory actions. UKGC is the gold standard for gambling regulation.
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
Public register: gamingcommission.ca → List of Licensees
Shows authorised client providers and their licence status. Kahnawake is based in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, Quebec, and has regulated online gambling since 1999.
iGaming Ontario (iGO)
Registered operators list: igamingontario.ca
Shows all operators currently registered to offer online gambling in Ontario. Only operators on this list are authorised for Ontario’s regulated market.
Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Public register: gibraltar.gov.gi → Gambling Commissioner → Licensed operators
Shows licensed operators and their licence status. Gibraltar-licensed sites are often dual-licensed with UKGC.
Bank Cardholder Agreements
The bank policies we reference are published in each bank’s cardholder agreement. These are typically available on the bank’s website or by request. Key sections referenced in our research:
- BMO: Section 8 (Cash-like Transactions)
- CIBC: Current agreement (January 2025 revision)
- RBC: Section 14(c) (Restricted Transaction Types)
- TD: Section 4.2 (Transaction restrictions)
- Scotiabank: Section 5.1 (Permitted gambling transactions)
Raw Data Availability
We’re committed to making our data available for verification. The following is available on request:
- Raw CC acceptance rates by bank and casino, for any testing period
- Withdrawal timing logs with exact dates and elapsed times
- Licence verification screenshots from our most recent check
Requests should be sent to [email protected]. We respond to data requests within 5 business days. We reserve the right to redact specific bank account details for security purposes.
All sources last accessed February 14, 2025 unless otherwise noted. Source list maintained by Karen Webb, Regulatory & Compliance.