Sports

What Canadians Should Look for in Online Slots

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2023

With the iGaming industry experiencing record growth worldwide, many former skeptics of online gambling have taken the plunge. With this comes the convenience of accessing games anywhere at any time, secure payments, and great chances to win.

One of the most significant advantages of online gambling is the incredible number of game choices available. While physical casinos are severely limited by space, gambling websites can host hundreds (and often thousands) of the latest games released by the best developers in the industry.

Although this is a dream for almost any gambler, it also poses the unique challenge of sifting through an overwhelming number of games to find something you like. To aid with this task, we have created a list of things Canadian gamblers should look for when choosing a video slot to play.

Theme

There are hundreds of themed slots that players have the option to try. The possibilities are seemingly endless, from those based on movies and video games to those that transport you to ancient civilizations as you hunt for treasure.

Although these various themes are available, it doesn’t mean that every player will enjoy them. Those who prefer traditional video slots may not like playing more modern slots because their advanced graphics and futuristic imagery could be somewhat distracting. Likewise, players who love everything modern and high-tech are unlikely to spend much time playing games from the early slot era.

As such, one of the first things to look for in an online slot is that it has a theme you’ll likely enjoy while playing. Many websites allow you to try demo versions of the latest games, meaning you can find a few whose themes you appreciate without spending a dime. The downside is that if you do manage to trigger a win on video slots while playing for free, you might feel disappointed that you weren’t playing for real money.

Features

The days of simple spin and win slots are long gone—although these are still available for players who prefer the simplicity of these. However, they have been replaced en masse by games that are oozing with features and bonuses that make playing even more thrilling.

For Canadian players looking for the best entertainment, paying close attention to the features of a slot is crucial. These make the game more fun and offer unique ways to boost your winnings—meaning better chances of a possibly generous win.

The best of these features include expanding wilds, which can turn any regular win into one to celebrate, and free spin bonus features. These features allow you to play without wagering any money and usually include additional bonuses, such as multipliers.

RTP (Return to Player)

The RTP rate of a slot machine determines what percentage of the total money the game receives is paid out to players in the form of winnings. As such, slots with a higher return-to-player rate pay out more than others.

A benefit of online slots is that they have higher RTP percentages when compared to their physical counterparts. This is because online casinos don’t have the overheads that brick-and-mortar casinos have and can, therefore, afford to pay out more of their profits to players.

When searching for a new slot to begin enjoying, paying attention to its RTP could be more lucrative than other options. It should be noted, however, that a higher RTP doesn’t necessarily mean a slot will pay out more often.

A single jackpot payment could account for a large percentage of the money a game has received, boosting its RTP without making a big winner out of multiple players.

Volatility

After finding a slot with a decent RTP, the next thing to check is the game’s volatility. Developers use three types of volatility ratings: low, high, and medium. The difference between these can have a very material impact on your game and how much you win.

Low-volatility slots are those that pay out reasonably regularly. Therefore, if you love hearing the exciting chimes and sounds of a winning slot, these are the ones to look out for. The downside is that, although they pay out more often, the win amounts are less.

In contrast, high-volatility slots offer larger payouts and are more likely to pay out jackpots. The catch is that these payouts aren’t as frequent, and you may find yourself playing for a while before encountering even a small win.

Finally, medium-volatility slots are among the most popular for a simple reason: they are the perfect middle ground between high and low volatility. They offer decent payouts that happen neither frequently nor infrequently.

Bonuses

Although not strictly related to video slots specifically, bonuses offered by online casinos are often applied to particular slots unless specifically mentioned in the terms and conditions. As such, searching for slots with bonuses attached is an excellent way to boost what you get from playing them.

Since the Canadian iGaming market is so competitive, finding bonuses that offer rewards on slots is relatively easy. Almost all online casinos provide a number of these bonuses or promotions to lure new players away from competitors or keep existing players incentivized to continue playing.

With free spin bonuses widely available, others that can be used to benefit a player are reload and deposit match bonuses. These can be applied to your chosen slot game (unless specified to only work with a particular game) and boost the overall enjoyment since you know you have received something extra for the time and money you have invested.

Conclusion

In addition to the things listed above, other factors that Canadian gamblers should look for when choosing a slot include the validity of the casino the slot is found on, the payment methods that can be used to fund playing the game, and if the game is provably fair (if playing on a crypto casino).

Being mindful of these factors can help you find a video slot that will (hopefully) bring you a few steps closer to a win that will leave you smiling. And if it doesn’t, then at least the entertainment you experienced while playing will more than make up for it.

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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