Gambling represents big business in Canada. According to a recent report, the industry generated over $15 billion in revenue and is responsible for the employment of 135,500 residents. Gambling is popular with a significant chunk of the population, with almost 20 million Canadians hunting for bonuses and putting a bet at least once during the course of the last twelve months.
In short, Canadians love a punt, whether it’s in sports, traditional table games like blackjack or roulette, or the bells and whistles of the newest slot machines. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges that residents face when gambling online.
This is particularly true considering the slightly murky legal standing of online gambling in the country. Until recently, it was essentially illegal to gamble within Canadian borders. But now, things are changing. And fast. We’ll cover the benefits and challenges of the current industry setup.
The Legalities of Online Gambling in Canada
In 2020, the Canadian government introduced new legislation that effectively allows companies to offer online gambling to customers, provided they have obtained the correct license from their province.
This means that yes, online gambling is 100% legal in Canada. There are a few clear requirements for the casino, including no autoplay options and slots having a minimum spin speed of 2.5 seconds. This prevents players from losing money too quickly, reflecting the government’s overarching aim to protect players.
The Benefits of Licensed Play
Since the new legislation was put in place, provinces have rushed to create gaming commissions to regulate their local online gambling market. For example, iGaming Ontario was created under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) umbrella. These organizations are designed to not only regulate the market but also to issue licenses to online operators that meet all requirements.
One of the reasons the Canadian government introduced new legislation was to safeguard players from an otherwise unregulated market. With Canadian players not having local options available to them, they’d seek out offshore alternatives.
While most out-of-state casinos are completely fine, it does add an extra step for a player to do their due diligence. With a clear provincial license and a straightforward method of verifying operators, players can now safely gamble with a number of licensed Canadian operators.
For example, players in British Columbia can use PlayNow.com, the province’s only legal provider. The company offers a range of table games, including blackjack and poker, as well as slot machines, bingo, and lottery tickets.
B-Plan for Canadian Players: Foreign Casinos
Before legal gambling options were introduced in the country, Canadians only had one option: out-of-state casinos. The introduction of the new legislation does not preclude players from continuing to choose these operators, however. In fact, they may be more suitable for many players:
Wide Range of Bonuses
Canadian casinos provide some great offers for players, but they are limited in quantity. Once you’ve used up your new player deposit bonus at PlayNow.com, for example, you’re done.
Out-of-state casinos such as LuckyDays Casino, SpinAway Casino, Play Boom, and more, allow players to take advantage of a wide range of bonuses, including the popular free spins bonus, which many operators offer. The sheer quantity of online casinos operating abroad means you can find a new sign-up bonus almost daily.
Mature Online Market
The problem with some of Canada’s legal online casinos is that they are new to the game; they’re behind the more mature industries abroad, which have been operating for many years now.
This means that offshore casinos tend to have a bigger selection of games, and the overall experience is more streamlined and enjoyable. Of course, this isn’t always the case, and Canadian casinos are also steadily improving their product.
Will You Get in Trouble?
Of course, the prudent gambler will wonder whether it’s best to stick to a licensed Canadian casino, compared to a provider abroad. This is an understandable worry, but rest assured that you will not get into legal issues by placing a bet with a foreign casino.
The main legal aspect the Canadian government is worried about is whether providers have the correct licenses in place. They are not concerned with players betting locally or abroad, and not a single resident has ever been prosecuted. In short, it’s not illegal.
Due Diligence
Perhaps the most annoying thing about opting for an offshore casino alternative is the due diligence process players are recommended to go through. With Canadian casinos, it’s pretty easy, as the government provides clear official websites that list all legal operators.
When you are considering an offshore casino, however, this vetting process can be a little trickier. Yet it’s nothing that a few clicks and checking won’t fix. For example, the United Kingdom has a very similar listing process in place, with players able to quickly check whether a UK provider has the correct license.
Of course, you will need to become accustomed to vetting a foreign government website, rather than a more obvious official Canadian site. Don’t trust ‘stickers’ at the bottom of websites claiming they have a license; always verify this yourself with an official third party.
Ultimately, players should always use their common sense when playing online, whether a casino has the correct license in place or not. Watch how much you’re spending, set limits so you don’t go beyond what you can afford to lose, and don’t be afraid to shop around. And remember, once the fun stops, it’s time to hit the pause button.
If you gamble, please gamble responsibly.
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