The live casino space in Canada offers significant opportunities for operators, but succeeding in this market requires a clear strategy. With a range of live providers to choose from and player expectations constantly shifting, knowing how to stand out is key.
Joonas Karhu, CEO of Bojoko, brings deep experience in guiding iGaming platforms toward success. In this interview, Karhu discusses what it takes to build a thriving live dealer offering, sharing insights on how Bojoko ranks the best live dealer casino sites in Canada, how to navigate the diverse range of providers, and how to deliver the experience players seek.
How would you describe the Canadian live casino scene compared to other markets?
“Canada is an exciting market for live casinos, mainly because of its diversity. While major providers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play dominate many jurisdictions, the Canadian market, save Ontario, offers a wide variety of smaller live casino providers.
“For example, you’ll often find more than 10 live providers on Curacao-licensed sites, which is quite different from regulated markets like the UK, where Evolution has largely captured the space.
“This variety creates a more competitive landscape, which benefits operators who want to offer something different or tailor their live casino offerings to specific player preferences.
“Canadian players, in particular, seem to appreciate this variety. They enjoy the high-quality, polished games that Evolution and Pragmatic Play deliver, but they’re also keen to try out offerings from smaller providers. This means that operators have more flexibility to differentiate themselves and create a live casino experience that truly stands out.”
Given the diversity of providers available, what are the key factors for success in the Canadian live casino market?
“It is very easy to have a solid live casino section. Evolution alone can keep players engaged. However, if your live casino is the same as everyone else’s, why play at your brand? Bonuses and tournaments are one way to go, and they can be effective, but you can do things to stand out in your game selection as well.
“One of the big things operators in Canada need to recognize is that while Evolution and Pragmatic Play have incredible brand recognition and provide a strong foundation, success in this market often comes from offering more than just the big names.
“With so many smaller live casino providers available, operators need to carefully curate a selection that suits their player base, offers variety, and differentiates their offerings from competitors. Offering a wide range of live casino games from multiple providers can be a massive draw for players who crave variety.
“For instance, smaller providers may offer unique versions of popular games or bring a different flair to table games like blackjack or baccarat that players won’t find with the larger names.”
You mentioned the presence of smaller live casino providers in Canada, especially on Curacao-licensed sites. What advantages do these smaller providers bring to the table, and how can operators leverage them?
“Smaller live casino providers can bring a lot of innovation and flexibility that larger providers might not offer. Some cater to specific niche audiences or offer unique features that set them apart. This can be particularly attractive for operators targeting particular player segments or introducing fresh content that breaks away from the mainstream.
“Operators can leverage these smaller providers by mixing them with well-known names like Evolution and Pragmatic Play. This allows operators to offer a diverse range of live casino experiences, appealing to high-end players looking for premium content and casual gamers interested in experimenting with different types of games.
“Additionally, the presence of smaller providers can be beneficial from a branding perspective. It allows operators to create a more personalized feel, offering games that reflect their brand identity or cater to specific regional tastes.”
With such a competitive landscape, how can operators stand out in the Canadian market, especially with the larger providers holding so much sway?
“One of the most effective ways to stand out is through creative and well-structured bonus offerings. Live casino-specific bonuses, such as cashback on losses in live games, deposit bonuses specifically for live casino players, or exclusive tables with unique promotions, can significantly impact.
“Operators should also consider offering regular live casino tournaments and challenges. By creating time-limited events with leaderboards, players are incentivized to keep coming back, increasing engagement and loyalty. These tournaments don’t have to be large-scale operations, but even if small, consistent events can create excitement and give players a reason to log in frequently.
“Improving your live casino can also get you better exposure on platforms like Bojoko. Our list of the best live casinos in Canada is a highly visited resource for players looking for top-tier live gaming experiences. By improving the quality of your live casino—whether it’s through offering creative bonuses, incorporating a wider range of providers, or delivering exceptional player support—you increase your chances of being highlighted on this page.
“Being featured more prominently can drive significant traffic to your site, resulting in extra first-time depositors from players seeking high-quality live casino action.
“Operators need to promote their products through affiliates like Bojoko. Affiliates play a crucial role in reaching potential players, and a strong live casino presence can be a differentiator that affiliates are eager to promote.”
How does Bojoko assess and rank the best live casinos?
“We assess live casinos based on several criteria, including game variety, the quality of live dealer interactions, and other factors such as live casino-specific bonuses, campaigns, and tournaments. We use similarly strict and consistent criteria as the one you discussed with our Lead Content Manager, Ville Saari, in reference to the UK, but here, they are specifically tailored for the live casino experience in Canada.
“Operators who excel in these areas and consistently provide a great player experience will rank higher on Bojoko. You will also likely attract attention from other affiliates looking to recommend the best options to their audiences as well. This exposure can be a game-changer for attracting and converting new live casino lovers in a competitive market like Canada.”
As the live casino space continues to grow in Canada, where do you see the future of this segment heading, and how should operators prepare for it?
“One of the most obvious things that will happen, though this is on a worldwide scale, is that we’ll see more creative games, including new live game show formats. Evolution has long been fantastic here, and I think we can expect more from them. However, the risk is always there from Evolution to get lazy; after all, they bought and incorporated their biggest competitor, NetEnt. When everyone is chasing you, there is not much that can happen.
“The smaller developers have to think of ways to capture attention with their live dealer games, and I think we’ll see some bold choices. Some will probably be gimmicks and fade away, but I believe we’ll see a couple of future classics from smaller names. This, in turn, will likely lead to a couple of these smaller live dealer studios hitting it big.
“While Evolution and Pragmatic Play will remain major players, the landscape has to change, and clear competitors will rise to the challenge. Operators should prepare for this by remaining flexible and willing to experiment. The ability to quickly adapt and introduce new providers or fresh content will be a major factor in staying competitive.”
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