Online gambling, or internet gambling, is a form of gambling that includes poker, casinos and sports betting. The first online real money casino was established back in 1994. It has however grown at a sporadic rate ever since – there were only 15 online casinos in 1996 but it rose to over 200 in 1997. Today, there are thousands of online casinos throughout the world and in Canada.
As of 2018, worldwide online gambling revenue stood at over $56 billion – such is its popularity. Online casinos are usually low deposit casino and this has made them even more popular.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?
Popularity of online casinos and online gambling has also come with increased scrutiny. In many countries, online gambling is prohibited while it is highly limited in others. Online gambling is not prohibited by the criminal code of Canada. However, only gambling can only be done at establishment owned or licensed by a provincial government.
Any type of online gambling on an unlicensed establishment is prohibited and deemed illegal.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Montreal?
The rules apply to Montreal too. Online gambling is legal in Montreal. The only illegality applies to casino operators – that is, online gambling on an unlicensed online casino in the province is illegal.
There is a bit of confusion on the gambling rules and how they apply but players are practically protected – the responsibility is on the casino operators. There are many offshore gaming servers located just outside Montreal in Kahnawake – and this makes the online casinos very much legal even when they are operated offshore.
Since offshore casinos aren’t based in Canada, players won’t get into trouble for playing in such. There are many low deposit casinos online.
Online Gambling – Good or Bad?
Online gambling has always faced ethical issues about the financial safety and technical safety of players. The fact that it is possible to get addicted to online gambling also makes it a bad choice for some players.
The table below shows the good and bad side of gambling
Table
| Good | Bad |
| It offers revenue for government | There is no check for addiction |
| It increases the economic opportunity of the area | Ethical concerns on rise of illegal casinos |
| A source of entertainment | Associated with social decadence |
At the end of the day, it depends on your view on online gambling. In some quarters, online gambling is seen as a money-losing venture with a number of ethical issues while others think of it as a form of entertainment with money-making opportunities.
Effects of Online Gambling on Canadian Society
Online gambling has become a perfect medium for adolescent gambling. There is also little efforts done by online casinos to curb pathological gambling. This has led to a prevalence in pathological gambling and addiction within Canada.
Little is known on the risk factors in the development and perpetuation of pathological. However, online gambling represents a chance for many to conveniently engage in gambling without any sort of check or balance.
Online gambling makes casino games more accessible and studies have shown that the more accessible gambling is, the bigger the number of people with problematic gambling behaviors.
List of Organization that help gambling addicted persons
Here are some of the organizations within Canada that can help gambling addicted persons.
- Manitoba Gambling Helpline – 1-800-463-1554
- Prince Edward Island Gambling Addiction Treatment Program – 1-888-299-8399
- Quebec Gambling Help and Referral – (514) 527-0140
- Ontario Mental Health Helpline – 1-866 531-8603
- Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline – 1-888-230-3505
- Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
- British Columbia Problem Gambling Information and Referral Service – 1-888-795-6111
Reach these groups and organization on their hotlines if you have a friend or family member with a behavior of problematic gambling.
Online gambling is very much legal in Canada as well as within Montreal. There are some technicalities to it but players are more or less safe playing casino games online. There are many low deposit casinos within Canada as well as many low deposit casinos in Montreal.
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