Fun games, pastime, and money are what comes to mind when people think of online gambling in Canada. It has taken the world by storm, and Canada isn’t an exception. It is one of the few countries where the government hasn’t placed restrictions on gambling.
This has led to a boom in this sector, with new online gambling sites springing up every now and then. Let’s not forget the bonuses offering over C$1,000 to new players and other generous promotions for regular players.
However, it can be challenging to find good offers in such a wide range of options today. Luckily, you can visit Canadacasino24.com to find and compare the best bonuses at Canadian online casinos.
The growth of online gambling is simply phenomenal. In this guide, gamblers in Canada will learn all they need to know to get started, including legislation and history, among other things.
Brief history of online gambling in Canada
Casinos and gambling have always been present in Canada. Sticks would be used for betting, and cards were introduced after Cabot’s sojourn to Canada in 1497. That’s how long people have been gambling in this Northern American country. In the late 1800s, the government became involved and started to regulate it.
Fast forward to 1994, the first online gambling casino was established. Of course, there is no comparing the casinos back then to what we have now with the poor graphics and frustrating internet speed. Gamblers were so frustrated with not being able to play or understand how to play at online casinos.
There was no point playing online to them when there were land-based casinos. Even people who made a living off gambling during those times were considered criminals or addicts. However, as more people became interested in online casinos, graphics began to improve, and the stakes went up as well.
…The Present
Nowadays, the Canadian casino industry is saturated by several real money online casinos. Players can gamble comfortably from various locations playing various games, ranging from online slot machines to video poker and many more. Because of how easy it is now to play, Canadians spend billions of dollars yearly at internet casinos that aren’t based in the country.
Even the interest in land-based casinos is being spurred by online gambling platforms. That isn’t saying they replace real-life casinos entirely, of course. If you’re passionate about gambling, you’d want to play at both online and land-based venues. There are so many possibilities when it comes to gambling in Canada.
Online gambling laws in Canada
Almost all kinds of gambling and betting in Canada are legal; however, it becomes a little bit complicated as for online gambling laws. The government will not grant licenses to online casinos as it is illegal to run a casino without a government-issued permit.
Although the legislation highly prohibits any form of online gambling services, that doesn’t mean gamblers cannot play. There are presently no acts that term online gambling as illegal, and there is no law that equally justifies its legality.
It is also not illegal for Canadian players to gamble at online casinos, and since the government doesn’t grant licenses, they can play at offshore sites. There have also been no traces of evidence where a gambler was arrested for breaking Canadian laws.
In other words, there is nothing to be scared of when it comes to gambling in Canada, whether as a player or investor. It’s a complex situation as many offshore gambling servers are situated in Kahnawake, which is within the Canadian borders.
Could it mean that one can operate a casino within the region which is illegal but still do it legally? It’s just a complicated situation, but casino players need to carefully choose a legitimate online casino site that has an excellent reputation for being on the safe side.
What is the future of online gambling in Canada?
Despite the restriction on online casinos in Canada, there is still hope that they will be legalized. The reason isn’t far-fetched: land-based casinos are no longer bringing in profit like they used to do. Players prefer to spend more time gambling online than going to a land-based casino.
Further, since there are no online casinos in Canada, the government is unable to monitor them. The only way that can happen is to legalize online gambling in the country. Licensing online casinos means the government cannot only monitor their operations but can also collect taxes as they see fit.
More players are signing up to casino sites, which has kept booming since the recent pandemic. That can only mean there’s the possibility of land-based casinos being done away with – maybe not completely but compared to the way they used to be. There have been reports of land-based casinos claiming a huge drop in the number of visitors coming through their doors, which will probably continue.
Aside from the profit aspects, the future of online gambling in the country is bright with the emergence of certain trends that online gambling businesses have started to adopt. They include:
- Virtual Reality
- Live Dealer Games
- Cryptocurrencies
- Esports
These are all trends that keep players glued to their devices as they have a good time. They wouldn’t only help retain players but also attract new ones as well. Talks of the legalization of online gambling in the country are still in the works, but the future looks bright.
Why is online gambling great?
Let’s take a look at the reasons why gambling online in Canada is a good option.
Convenience
This is one of the most stated reasons gamblers prefer to play casino games online. It’s having fun and entertaining yourself at your own convenience. You get to play against the casino or players in different locations without leaving your comfort zone.
Variety
For many casino players, having choices from a wide array of games is their delight, and that’s not something land-based casinos can offer. Whether you’re a slot player or a fan of poker, there are more choices at online gambling casinos than brick-and-mortar venues.
Bonuses
One major difference between land-based and online casinos is the availability of bonuses. For instance, welcome packages or no deposit offers give players a much longer playing time. You get to place more bets, considering bonuses increase your bankroll.
Unlimited tablespace
You don’t have to wait your turn at the table as you would in a land-based casino. You can choose RNG games and won’t have to wait and waste time.
Cost
Compared to physical casinos, playing at an online platform is cheaper. You don’t have to plan a whole vacation or a night out with friends where you overspend. There is no need to pay for flight tickets, buy fuel, eat out, or book a hotel. All you have to do is choose an online casino of your choice and start playing.
Responsible gambling
There are several resources and organizations available for responsible gambling in Canada. One such is the Responsible Gambling Council, an organization committed to protecting Canadians who show signs of addiction.
They offer several resources to help players gamble responsibly. Asides from the tools they provide, there are different ways for players to get help if they’re uncomfortable with their gambling sessions. Most online casinos have a responsible gambling section as it is required to be licensed by regulatory bodies.
How to deposit and cash out at online Casinos?
This usually depends on which online casino you play at and what options they feature. In countries with strict restrictions, certain payment options might not be available for players.
However, with the openness of the Canadian government and provinces to online gaming, players have many options for deposits and withdrawals. In addition to that, there are no restrictions on the part of local banks for direct transfers.
How to start gambling online in Canada?
Getting started is pretty straightforward, and you can start playing in no time. Here are the basic steps to play on online gambling platforms.
Choose an online casino
The first step to take is choosing an online casino. Though it sounds pretty straightforward, it really isn’t. There are thousands of online casinos available on the market, and the best way to pick one is by getting help from expert reviews or checking forums online to hear people’s feedback on a casino.
Register a free account
Almost all online casinos are free to sign up, and on top of that, you get bonuses to increase your bankroll. You generally need the following when signing up:
- Email address
- Username
- Password
- Address
- Date of birth
- Contact number
- Valid ID (for verification)
Deposit real money
The next step is to make a deposit, and there are different ways to do that, depending on the platform you choose. Generally speaking, you can deposit money via:
- Direct bank transfers
- Credit/debit cards
- E-wallets
- Cryptocurrencies
- Prepaid cards
Play your game of choice
Now, you’re ready to play games, place bets, and win. For most online casinos, you can access games in different categories from the home page, so it shouldn’t be difficult to locate. However, we recommend starting with easier games or trying demo versions if you’re a beginner.
Withdraw your winnings
Withdrawals are almost the same as deposits, only backwards. Sometimes, payment methods used to deposit must be used to cash out as well, but not in all cases. Always go through their FAQ pages or click the “banking/payment” buttons to see the casino’s requirements.
Conclusion
Over 60% of Canadians occasionally gamble, according to 2019 stats and with the evolution of online casinos, the numbers are likely to go higher in time. That means the future of online gambling in Canada looks bright, and players will probably have even more options.
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