The online casino industry has been a real hit in Canada. From major operators putting down roots to Drake promoting gaming content on his streams, it’s safe to say that Canadians love to play. Slots are the most popular game type, although Canada’s players also explore roulette, poker, and bet on sports.
There’s an abundance of casino games at online casinos in Canada. The country’s laws permit players to participate locally or offshore. The country actually has a long and rich history with gambling that dates back to early British and French settlers! It has evolved past the point of illegal joints to a true juggernaut that powers Canada’s economy.
The Early Years
The earliest traces of Canada’s link to gambling are the card games brought over by French and British settlers. Traditional games of chance of the numerous First Nations people also played a role in shaping Canada’s now-booming casino games industry. In the beginning, gambling was mostly confined to card games and games of chance, with horse racing being a popular betting option.
Card houses and gambling saloons were once a major hit in Canada, with citizens moving to the country for new opportunities. And there were plenty of opportunities for people, including looking for gold or enjoying adventures. Travelers who passed through port cities such as Victoria were amazed by the number of saloons and card rooms.
As the country grew, it was clear that gambling rules would be tightened. In 1892, the government decided to ban gambling activities. Most joints immediately shut down, with a few illegal operations here and there. In 1901, nearly two decades later, the government legalized charity lotteries and gambling. Horse racing legislation followed in 1910, helping return Canada to its gambling roots.
In the 20th century, the government realized the financial potential of gambling. Tax revenues from gambling rose, and gambling became a popular Canadian pastime.
The 20th Century
In the mid 1900s, lotteries grew into a massively popular game among players, which was followed by a big decision in 1985. The federal government amended the criminal code, allowing every province to regulate gaming independently. Decades later, this has proven as the turning point for Canada’s booming gambling industry.
The provinces didn’t waste any time paving the way for casino gambling. Winnipeg’s Crystal Casino opened its doors in 1990, becoming the first of a wave of new casinos. Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec followed in its footsteps. They approved and launched casinos in the early 1990s. Some of these casinos were small urban joints, while others took the resort format to appeal to outsiders and tourists.
Thanks to the 1985 law, every province in Canada currently has different gambling laws. This also means that all profit from casinos, sportsbooks, and lotteries are redirected for investment in the respective province.
In British Columbia, for example, all money from gambling goes to the local government, which is then invested in education, healthcare, and various levels of support for the local community. In Ontario, the province collects revenue from local and independent casinos too.
From the 2000s onwards, online casinos took the market by storm.
The Rise of iGaming
Nowadays, it’s impossible to talk about the casino industry without mentioning online casinos. They’ve grown in popularity in the past two decades, completely reshaping the way games are played.
It took a while for the Canadian government to build a regulatory framework for online casinos. Initially, casino sites operated in a gray area. The laws didn’t ban them outright, but there were no regulations regarding licenses. This allowed many offshore casinos to offer their services to Canadians.
The federal government finally realized the potential of online casinos on an entertainment and financial level. Similar to land-based gambling, the government decided to let each province set its own online gambling regulations. Some provinces only allowed government-operated casinos, while others permitted private casinos too. With Canada being home to numerous major tech and video game design hubs, online casinos were poised to become a hit.
Canada is a tech-friendly country and follows trends when it comes to the latest gaming and tech developments. The entertainment industry includes everything from podcasts and shows to gaming and betting. Online casinos were a perfect fit, so it’s not surprising that they’ve grown in relevance in the past couple of decades.
What’s the State of the Industry Nowadays?
The online casino sector in Canada is booming. No matter the province, online casinos generate plenty of revenue, supporting individual provinces and the country’s economy overall.
In the past decade, there’s been a player shift to mobile gaming. It wasn’t unexpected, as tech companies were already confidently offering mobile-first games. Mobile casino platforms followed suit. Canada’s newest online casinos offer apps for betting and playing games, or have suitable mobile-optimized websites for gameplay without downloading any app or software.
Casino desktop websites remain as relevant as ever. Most players prefer to play on their computers or laptops for skill-based games. Larger screens are more suitable for developing strategies, while mobile casinos are better for fast-paced games of chance such as slots.
In terms of game dominance, slots lead the pack. Canadians love spinning the latest slots, all of which come with exciting gameplay and sharp graphics. The rise of live casino games provides a new stream of revenue. Played in real time and against human dealers, live casino games are touted as the future of entertainment.
What Happens Next?
The online gaming sector in Canada will continue to grow. With new developments in the online casino sector and attractive bonuses, casino sites will continue to rake in new players.
Gen Z players have come at the right time, with online casinos being more advanced than ever. The industry never sleeps. It constantly develops new features and games that appeal to the younger generation of players, who are eager to see what’s on offer.
