Gambling has been legal in Quebec since 1985 and Montreal has taken good advantage of that opportunity. The casinos and gaming rooms, available from the age of 18, provide an extra bit of flavour to the already vibrant city, as highlighted by the Montreal Gazette in their profile of a Lanaudière man who scooped up a $3 million jackpot at a city casino. With disposable income reaching all-time highs in 2022, there are likely to be many more punters heading out into the gambling system – virtually and in-person – and Montreal may be well placed to benefit.
Improving the service
One of the drivers behind the expansion of the gambling industry has been the broadening of its services. When searching for a real money casino Canada gamblers have both digital and in-person options, and both are seeing huge improvements in the quality of croupier service and the level of immersion they offer. This improves trust between consumers and croupiers, the services behind them and, crucially, makes it more fun for gamblers. It’s important that fun, rather than dependence, is emphasised. These services are supposed to be getting even better, too. According to YogoNet, croupiers with some of Montreal’s most notable casinos have pushed for a better deal following unionisation, and will now earn more. This improves safety, improves quality of service, and ensures that those working in the casinos will be dedicated to providing an absolute top quality service.
Bringing in sports betting
There’s also good news in the world of sports betting. Now legal for a year, a profile of the industry by City News online has highlighted the huge growth of the industry, the fun that it brings through giving something that people can turn their passion for – sports – and creating a little extra fun on match day. It’s not all a success, however, as reports have highlighted the growth of gambling ads which are potentially having a deleterious impact, especially on those who are too young to be gambling. This is at the forefront of potential challenges to the gambling scene.
Fighting organised crime
It is a sad fact that, wherever gambling goes, organised crime follows. The free flow of cash is a good way to launder money, and in the USA, cities including Las Vegas and Atlantic City have spent a century trying to combat the impact of organised crime. According to CBC, there remains a serious risk of organised crime infiltration in the Montreal gambling scene, and this needs to be proactively met to ensure the safe operation of the industry. Making it fun, fair, and profitable, rather than a playground for bad habits and criminal input, is essential.
All of the signs point towards this being achievable. Montreal, and Quebec, have a long and positive gambling history that has been historically managed well. The expansion into sports shows that trust, but there must be careful assessment of the ongoing industry to ensure that it doesn’t become toxic.
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