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History of Gambling in Canada, Gambling History in Canada

Gambling History in Canada

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History of Gambling in Canada

More Than 200 Years Of Gambling: From The Simplest Games To Bitcoin Casinos

TORONTO, October 8, 2020 (Newswire.com) - NativeCasinos.ca works hard to provide their readers with the most surprising and effective approaches to win when gambling. Gambling history in Canada is one of the aspects to consider to augment the winnings.

The first official gambling event was held in 1767—253 years ago—in Quebec City. It was a horse racing event that attracted plenty of people to join. In the course of time, gambling activities obtained new forms and thrilled the players even more bringing $4.5 billion income to Canadian economy.

Yes, it was started by the first horse racing clubs run in 1787 and successfully carried on by the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation till nowadays.

From the first horse racing clubs—the Québec Turf Club and the King's Plate—to the bitcoin-powered online and mobile casinos, the Canadian gambling history underwent lots of the obstacles, modifications, and legal regulations. These factors have shaped the gambling, so that the modern gamblers can have access to the brand-new cutting-edge technologies.

With the advent of the smartphone technologies, as Financial Times points out, "smartphone gambling grew faster than any. form of gambling between 2016 and 2017". So, currently, each online gambler can enjoy the results of the gambling history and advance themselves to the biggest winnings ever.

Yes, the matter of winning at gambling venues nowadays is inevitably related to the ones of the past. By being aware of the techniques of playing the classic casino games, it's easier to win at present.

That's why one can freely enjoy the biggest and the most detailed selection of the most significant and interesting facts about the history of online gambling in Canada. It'd be a perfect way to advance to the new horizons of winnings at any Canadian casino already today.

It's possible to discover what history of Canadian gambling holds for every gambler to understand the mechanisms of modern gambling and win big.

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History of Gambling in Canada

Think gambling is a relatively new phenomenon in Canada? Think again. Of the two words Gambling and Canada, the latter is actually way ahead on the Canadian gambling timeline.

Canada was born in 1867, but long before the guy who adorns the 10-dollar bill became our first Prime Minister, the natives were testing their luck with various forms of gambling.

In 1497, John Cabot discovered a native population who played games of chance. The games were said to help their physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Cabot dug deeper into the phenomenon and unearthed proof that people were gambling as far back as the year 6000 B.C.

Of course, dice and cards weren't the norm way back then. The gambling scene in Canada back then involved sticks and pebbles, but the basic gambling concept was the same.

But just because something had been done for years, it doesn't mean that it would remain respectable.

An outright ban of gambling - and a change of heart

In 1892, the Canadian Criminal Code banned every form of gambling. That didn't last too long, though. As times changed, so did perceptions on gambling. In 1900, bingo and raffles were permitted for charitable purposes. Ten years later, horse racing was added to the list of acceptable forms of gambling. And in 1925, fairs and exhibitions were granted the right to hold gambling events.

In 1969, the Canadian government saw huge value in lotteries. So they amended the Criminal Code to allow both the federal and provincial governments to run lotteries to fund special projects. The very first lottery was held in 1974 to raise funds for the Olympics in Montreal.

Over the years, the provinces were given more rights to run lotteries, horse races, video slot machines, and casinos. Today, you can find casinos in almost every province in Canada. And over the years, they've become huge attractions for people who love to gamble and be entertained.

The casino-government relationship in Canada varies from province to province. In some provinces, casinos are owned and operated by the government. In other provinces, they're owned by the government but operated by private enterprise. No matter who runs them, they're big business generating big profits.

The rise of land-based casinos in Canada

$439 million. That's how much Caesars spent on renovating and rebranding the casino in Windsor, Ontario a few years back, which is now known as Caesars Windsor. The Ontario casino on the Detroit border rivals some of the high-end casinos you'd find in Sin City.

On the surface, a half-a-billion dollars seems like a hefty figure to spend on renovating a casino that was already serving its purpose and attracting crowds. Prior to the transformation, Casino Windsor wasn't exactly a dump. Sure, it was showing some age, but you can find a lot less impressive casinos across the U.S.

And it's not like people who love to go to Vegas are going to suddenly stay home because a casino has been remodeled to feel like Vegas. Nothing can replace Las Vegas, and diehard Sin City fans will still head to Nevada to get their casino fix.

So who exactly was Caesars competing with? Some argue it was MGM on the Detroit side. But let's face it. Detroit is, well, Detroit. And citizens on both sides of the border would much rather head to the much safer Windsor than deal with who knows what in Detroit.

The real competitors live thousands of miles away, but as close as just a click away.

How online casinos and poker rooms have changed the game

Today, thousands of real money online casinos dominate the Canadian casino space. Hundreds of poker rooms and literally thousands of different online casinos do what the government couldn't do - bring a casino into the homes of people who love to play games of chance.

And you don't even have to search hard to find one. In Canada, it's common to see advertising for free-play poker sites and casinos on national broadcasts, including sporting events.

Billions of dollars are being spent on gambling by Canadians, and online casinos that aren't necessarily based in Canada are taking a bulk of the money. So does that mean that the government casinos are taking a hit? Not necessarily.

In Ontario, the government has authorized several new casinos to be built. Private Las Vegas enterprise has jumped at the opportunity of operating a casino in Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, and elsewhere, and it's only a matter of a few years before new, luxurious gambling palaces open up.

If anything, online casinos are actually fueling interest in land-based casinos. For many, playing online doesn't replace playing live just as buying a CD doesn't replace going to a concert. If you love gambling, you'll be after all sorts of gaming experiences - online and live.

Just look at the World Series of Poker for proof. In 2001, before the online poker boom, there were 612 entrants in the Main Event of the World Series of Poker. In 2012? A total of 6,598 players took a seat in the Main Event.

How the world views gambling today

Online gambling has actually brought semi-professional gambling into the mainstream - and it's completely changed the social perception of gambling. Just take a look at poker again for proof. Prior to the 2000s, if you told someone you played poker for a living, you were viewed as a degenerate gambler or a criminal. People assumed you played in illegal card rooms or in underground basement casinos. And if you got far enough in the conversation to tell them you played in legal poker rooms in Las Vegas, they'd likely assume that you live in your car, trying to repay a series of gambling debts.

Today, if you tell a new acquaintance that you play poker for a living, they might assume that you're well off, perhaps living in the lap of luxury. If you're playing poker for a living, the new argument goes that you're obviously making good money at it.

The change in perception comes from the fact that we've all watched doctors, lawyers, accountants, day traders, college professors, and all kinds of professionals trade in high-paying jobs for poker chips. We all realize that gambling is more than dropping chips on the felt and crossing your fingers. It's about knowing how to make the right bets at the right time, and it's about outsmarting your rivals.

The future of gambling in Canada

For Canadians, gambling is all about options. In Canada, you can play online. You can play in a government-run casino. You can head to a racetrack. You can play in privately operated casinos, like Caesars Windsor. You can play pretty much anywhere.

That's the reality today. But what does the future hold?

As the provinces get into the regulated online casino space - British Columbia and Quebec both have casino sites, and Ontario is building one as we speak - Canadians are going to have even more choice. The provincial online casinos might have to join forces to create a national online casino if they want to compete with international sites that have a decade-long head start.

But no matter who comes out on top - whether government online casinos, international online casinos, or a healthy mix of everyone - one thing is almost certain. Canadian gamblers will continue to have tons of choice. And at the end of the day, that makes the Canadian casino player the ultimate winner.

A Brief History Of Gambling In Canada

Today everyone like went mad about Canadian online casinos industry gambling prohibitions and restrictions. Countries with a strict governmental gambling policy somehow get along with it and generate the largest gambling revenues. China, where gambling is officially restricted, is the world’s top gaming market with revenue reached $22.2 billion, the US where gambling is semi-restricted generated $22 billion by the end of 2015. I was interested how matters go with gambling in Canada. Below is what I’ve come up with so far.

First Gambling Amendments

Prior to 1970, any type of gambling was illegal in Canada. In 1969 with the re-election of the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (former Minister of Justice, who was lobbying to amend some aspects of the Criminal Code considering gambling), the House of Commons managed to pass the gambling bill. Since then federal authorities had delegated competence in gambling matters to Provincial Regulatory Authorities.

Quebec government was first who took advantage of those amendments. Quebec promptly established two Crown corporations to supervise horse racing and conduct provincial lotteries. The rest followed Quebec example. In the following decade, four more Canadian provinces set up their own regional lotteries. In 1971, Manitoba established its own lottery, Alberta and Saskatchewan did as well in 1974. British Columbia created its lottery in 1974. Moreover, British Columbia joined Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta in establishing the Western Canadian Lottery Foundation.

In 1973 Canadian federal government founded the Olympic Lottery Corporation to support forthcoming Montreal Summer Olympic Games in 1976. In the following several years with the change in political discourse, there were significant changes in the attitude towards gambling policy. At the end of 1970s conservative-ruled government insisted on provinces return for $24 million annual payment as compensation.

$24 Million Annual Compensation

Such state of matter lasted about 4 years. When The Liberal Party of Canada took office in 1980 the wind of change blew. Provinces tried to contest federal government decision in court. But Progressive Conservatives under Brian Mulroney reclaimed the office by winning a solid parliamentary majority (largest in the history of Canadian parliamentarism).

Since June 1985 provinces undertook to pay 24 million CAD annually to the federal government according to the 1979 agreement terms. And finally, in 1985 new package of gambling amendments were enacted. Provinces were empowered alone or in partnership with other provinces to conduct and operate lotteries. In other words, Canadian provinces were given exclusive authority to operate and/or license particular forms of gambling.

In 30 years since the 1985 amendment, in 2015 $2 billion total revenue was generated in the Canadian gambling industry. Today, lotteries are still huge moneymakers for Canada’s both provincial and territorial governments. Gambling in Canada has expanded to include ticket lotteries, horse racing, charitable gaming (including bingo), casino-style gambling, video lottery terminals. Yet not all these forms of gambling are available everywhere in Canada.

Gambling

Gambling is the betting of something of value on the outcome of a contingency or event, the result of which is uncertain and may be determined by chance, skill, a combination of chance and skill, or a contest. Long before John Cabot's voyage to Canada in 1497, gambling was popular among native people. While many of the native games from the past are now recalled only as a part of cultural history, native people used gaming sticks for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans and the decks of playing cards they brought with them.

For the past century or so the most popular gambling games have been the card games of poker, stook and blackjack, and the dice games of craps and barbotte. During the KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH, the game of Faro, played with a regular deck of cards, was popular. The origins of Faro can be traced to the German game of "landsquenet," which was played as early as 1400. Faro was introduced by American gamblers in areas such as Dawson City, Yukon, where fortunes were won and lost on the turn of a card. When the gold rush ended, so did the popularity of Faro in Canada, although its popularity has survived in the US. (The name has also survived in the name of the town of FARO, YT.)

Legal Status

Since its original enactment in 1892, the Canadian CRIMINAL CODE, following the English common law, has tolerated gambling under certain conditions. A 1910 amendment allowed pari-mutuel (from "Paris mutuel") betting. This form of betting, in which winners divide losers' stakes and a cut of the bet goes to the track, to the horsemen and the state, became the official and legal form of betting in France in 1894. The amendment also allowed occasional games of chance where profits were used for charitable or religious purposes. A few games were also permitted at agricultural fairs and exhibitions.

Gambling laws, although amended from time to time, remained relatively unchanged until 1970, when sweeping changes to the Criminal Code gave the provinces the authority to license and regulate gambling, with a few exceptions.

Multibillion-Dollar Industry

The 1970 changes have resulted in the creation of a multibillion-dollar gambling industry throughout Canada. In 1989 Canada's first commercial casino opened in Winnipeg followed in 1993 by Montréal. Other provinces have since followed. Manitoba, Québec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan all have commercial casino operations. Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) have been placed in operation by a number of provincial governments. They are simply video slot machines which, instead of vending coins to winners, produce a coupon which is redeemed for cash by the licensee upon whose premises the machines are operated. VLTs have proven to be popular machines and generate millions of dollars annually to provincial governments. The provincial governments are now actively involved in operating LOTTERIES. A large number of charitable and religious groups have come to rely upon gaming revenues for annual budgetary obligations. Agricultural exhibitions and fairs derive substantial profits from gambling activity during annual celebrations. Pari-mutuel racetrack betting has long been a popular pastime; in 1984 Canadians bet $1.64 billion at racetracks across Canada (see THOROUGHBRED RACING).

Betting on individual sporting events, by far the most popular form of illegal gambling, generates large profits for the bookmakers, and is the largest source of gambling revenue of ORGANIZED CRIME. Illegal private gaming houses can be found in every major Canadian city. Swindlers using a variety of cheating techniques are common in gaming houses and are also active in legally operated private gambling establishments but almost never attract the attention of law enforcement.

Illegal gambling is generally perceived as a "victimless crime" and is not one for which the police receive many complaints. Unlike other crimes, modern illegal gambling is tolerated, and there is no public pressure exerted to control it. Its existence and continual growth has seemingly had no effect on the legal gambling market. At the same time, liberalization of legal gambling activities since 1970 appears to have had no effect on illegal gambling.

During the past 80 years gambling in Canada has evolved from an activity socially tolerated only within narrow restraints to a broadly acceptable leisure-time activity. The social, legal and economic consequences of these activities are beginning to be chronicled.

The vast majority of Canadians are able to integrate gambling into their lifestyles without putting themselves in jeopardy; however, for a minority of citizens, out-of-control gambling can have devastating repercussions. Recent provincial studies indicate the about 5% of adults experience problems as a result of their gambling and the adolescent problem gambling rate is 3 times higher than the adult rate. Even though the percentage of problem gamblers in Canadian society is relatively small, excessive gambling is not a victimless activity. It is estimated that a problem gambler has a damaging effect on 10 to 15 people around them, including relatives, friends and employers.

The fallout from uncontrolled gambling includes life savings lost, bankrupted businesses, gamblers turning to crimes such as fraud and embezzlement to support their habits, incidents of child neglect, spouse abuse and fractured marriages, and gambling-related troubles in the workplace such as absenteeism and declining productivity. Provincial governments have begun to recognize that there are social costs associated with gambling, and as a result are providing ongoing funding for programs to prevent or mitigate the damages caused by problem gambling.

The History of Casinos in Canada

The gambling in Canada has the long story. Scientists say that even centuries ago, there were native people who played games similar to casino games. More usual cards and roulette became popular in the 19th century, but in 1892, they were all banned by the government. It was long before Canadian online casinos became so popular in the country.

From 1900 to 1970

The first permission for gambling after the ban in 1892 was received very soon, in 1900. However, it permitted only bingo and raffles. At the same time, the permission was given only to organizers who spent the earned money for charity.

Ten years later, in 1910, betting on horse racing was legalized in Canada. The inhabitants of the country could put money on horses and win absolutely legally if their favorites came first.

Much later, in 1969, the government understood the benefits of holding money lotteries. Then the authorities gave them an official permit, and the first lotteries started to 1974 to gather money for the Olympic Games.

The Approval and the Development of this Industry

After allowing the activities of gambling houses in 1970, it took 19 years to open the first commercial gambling house. Four years after it, the house was also opened in Montreal. After that, this business began to snowball in Canada.

With time, casinos were opened in other provinces of the country. Terminals for participation in lotteries and other gambling also became popular. They were placed not only in the houses but also other popular places with a large number of visitors.

To date, gambling business in Canada continues to evolve. Although there are many underground gambling clubs in the country, legal casinos bring big profits to their owners. With the help of the Internet, you can find out where the gambling houses of Canadian cities are located and what games they offer to their clients.

Online Casino for Canadian Players

The development of the Internet casino industry also influenced the gambling business of Canada. Now players have the opportunity to play the lottery, poker, roulette, and slots much easier, but at the same time to win more. These are the conditions that online websites offer to customers.

Online casinos are like usual houses, but they are sites where you can run slots and other games. There you can find several varieties of roulette and poker, as well as the usual slots.

It is easy to explain the popularity of such games in Canada. Players can play from anywhere by using their PC and smartphones. They can play even for free when training. Percent of winning is also much more prominent in online websites, so gamblers don’t need to waste much money and follow a particular dress code. Online casinos provide the conditions that their clients really need for playing.

How Online Casinos Influence the History of This Industry?

Many people could see that popularity of Internet games is continuously growing. It means that with time online slots will have more influence than usual casinos. Even very popular houses open playing rooms on their websites to gain more players that prefer to play online. There are many directions of such growth, for example, poker rooms and free slots. There are also much more other games to notice.

When playing online in Canada, players of this country should choose legal houses. If you send money to suspicious websites which can be arrested in a short period of time, it could be not the best decision for you.

History of Gambling Legislation in Canada

When settlers first started to take control of Canada during the Gold Rush of the 15th century, gambling was an unregulated pastime. However, by 1892, the Criminal Code came into force and made most forms of betting illegal. Luckily, in 1910 an update to the law allowed parimutuel betting and a handful of casino games designed to raise money for charity. This dynamic remained until the Criminal Code was updated again in 1970, this time to devolve power and give provinces the right to enact their own gambling laws.

Provincial Powers

What did this mean in practice? In simple terms, gambling hasnвЂ™t been outlawed at a federal level and, therefore, each province has been given the power to develop and implement its own gambling laws. From this, live casinos have flourished, with the first one opening in Winnipeg back in 1989. Online gambling has also found a way to flourish without breaking the Criminal Code. Although each province has its own law governing gambling, there are some commonalities between them. While specific legal language may differ, all local government agencies seek to uphold principles like:

The protection of players and the integrity of the gaming industry.

Preventing malicious, criminal or unfair persons or businesses from entering the industry.

The promotion of responsible gambling.

Overseeing where gambling facilities are located and their size.

The types and numbers of games a gambling facility offers.

Which Agencies Control the Regulatory Landscape?

Before we let you go off and explore our Canadian gambling hub and some of our recommended online casinos in Canada, letвЂ™s quickly take you through the provinces and their betting agencies. As weвЂ™ve said, the regulation and oversight of gambling in Canada takes place on a regional basis through the following 10 governing bodies:

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

QuГ©bec Gambling Commission Link + Kahnawake Gaming Commission

Alcohol and Gaming Authority Nova Scotia

New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation

Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba

British Columbia Lottery Corporation

Prince Edward Island Gambling

Newfoundland and Labrador: Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)

Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission

Gambling is also permitted and regulated in the territories of Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories.

Live vs. Online Gambling Laws in Canada

One important thing to note about Canadian gambling law in general is that it doesnвЂ™t explicitly define land-based and online betting. Unlike countries such as the US or UK where gambling laws draw a legal line between betting via mobiles or computers and betting in person, Canada has stuck with a catch-all approach. So, if Canadian law doesnвЂ™t define online vs. live gambling, what does it define?

Perhaps the most important phrase to note in Canadian gambling law is вЂњlottery schemeвЂќ. The basis of all provincial laws can be traced back to this term which, unlike other countries, has a very broad meaning. Indeed, in the UK where the word вЂњlotteryвЂќ would refer specifically to a game involving numbered balls, gambling law in Canada defines it as any game or device that deals with elements of chance, skill and wagering.

The Canadian Lottery Scheme

The catch-all term вЂњlottery schemeвЂќ covers a variety of gambling activities as defined in the Canadian Criminal Code. Indeed, if we look at the various ways you can bet, Canadian law handles them in the following ways:

Casino, poker, slots and bingo games: These games arenвЂ™t referenced specifically in the Criminal Code, but are understood to be lottery schemes. As lotteries are legal, so are all of these games.

Lotteries: Only provincial governments (and some charities) can offer actual lottery games in Canada.

Sports betting: The one area where the Canadian Criminal Code does have something specific to say is sports betting. Bets on a single event are deemed illegal. However, it is legal to make multiple bets (i.e. more than one selection with a single wager) and parlay bets.

So, can you walk into a bricks and mortar casino? The answer is yes if youвЂ™re 19 years old or over. Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are the only provinces which will let 18-year-olds gamble, so our younger readers might need to wait a year before booking any holidays to Canada. This, in a nutshell, is what Canadian casino law is all about. Depending on the province youвЂ™re in, the rules will be slightly different, but you'll find casinos, poker, sports betting, lotteries and bingo along with your Tim Hortons, maple syrup and Mounties.

Gambling History in Canada

Did you know that gambling is one of the largest branches of entertainment in Canada? It attracts millions of players across the country. Furthermore, the number of local casino players grows each year.

But why is gaming so popular in Canada? Well, the answer lies in the history of gambling in Canada. That history is quite rich. An abundance of venues has been working in the region for years. They are all catering to customers that want to experience prime casino entertainment. In this article, we will present you with a detailed overview of Canadian gambling history, including:

The old history of casinos

Contemporary gaming in the country

Interesting historical facts

Land-based and online venues

If you want to see how it’s done in Canada, sit tight. Our review of the history of gambling in Canada begins with a couple of frequently asked questions that we hope to answer in detail right here in this article.

Page contents

Old Gambling History

Gambling in Canada is far from being a new form of entertainment. Did you know that games of luck and chance have been around for centuries? Yup, they were here long before digital casinos appeared.

The first record of gambling in the region dates from 1497. John Abbot was the one to discover native tribes that enjoyed playing games of chance. Of course, back then, it was still very primitive. The games that the tribes played were far from the traditional versions that we play today.

But as you can see, gambling was a popular form of entertainment even before legislation and the formation of Canada as an independent country.

Times when All Gambling Was Banned

The Canadian casino scene had its ups and downs. Perhaps you did not know but gambling was not always approved in the region. For instance, in 1892, all forms of gambling were banned. The Canadian Criminal Code prohibited all types of gambling activities because the government considered it to be inappropriate.

But that did not last long. In 1900, the law accepted some variations of games of luck. Bingo and raffles were first to return, but only for charities. A decade later, people got the right bet on horse racing again. Finally, 15 years after that, exhibitions and fairs received permissions to host gambling events.

Lotteries were very prolific, and the government changed the law again in 1969. After the changes in regulation, lotteries served as platforms for funding specific projects. The first example happened in 1974 when locals organized a lottery event to gather funds for the Olympics.

Historical Facts

Well, as we mentioned above, one of the first regulators was the Mohawk Territory Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Guess what is so specific about it? As it is still fully operational, this makes the Canadian regulator the first-ever online casino authority in the world!

Before Europeans arrived in Canada, native people played games of luck, as we mentioned. The games that they played involved gaming sticks and the name of one popular game was Slahal or Stickgame.

There is also one fact from the Klondike Gold Rush. With the discovery of gold in Yukon in 1896, people rushed to the region. During that period, one of the most popular games was Faro, a card game which the Americans brought. Unfortunately, once the Goldrush ended, so did Faro disappear in Canada.

Modern Gambling History in Canada

The recent history of gambling in Canada has ties with both land-based casinos and online gaming sites. Did you know that the Canadian casino scene is one of the wealthiest markets for casino entertainment today? Yes, thousands of venues exist to provide entertainment to casino enthusiasts. And trust us, Canadian players love playing casino games! Their choices often include traditional casino games, such as Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, and Baccarat. However, when online casinos first introduced the virtual versions of the classic games, the audience loved it.

Thanks to the virtual venues, players in the country have access to a broader choice of titles and tables to sit at. Every new digital gaming hall that appears on the market brings a wealth of new content for the players. But that doesn’t mean land-based venues are not accessible in the country. Some land-based casinos are among the most popular tourist attractions, with thousands of visitors each year!

Online Gambling History

So when did the story of online gambling begin? The correct answer is - in 1996. The first official digital gaming venue offered only a handful of digital casino games, but it was a success, nonetheless. This year is taken as the starting point for online gambling because it’s the year when several online casinos launched. One of the first and most popular casinos is InterCasino, a site that still works to this day. Did you know that in the same year, the first-ever online gambling regulator emerged on the Canadian market? At the time, the Mohawk Territory Kahnawake Gaming Commission was already there to supervise and regulate all classic casino game activities. At first, gaming online was an odd idea for many players, especially when it came to casinos. Punters had to get used to the idea of opening browsers instead of walking into some of the famous land-based venues.

However, that quickly changed. Only a few years later, the digital casino industry had its well-deserved expansion. After 2000, dozens of venues launched their digital versions, establishing one of the most prolific industries in the world.

History of Land-Based Casinos

In 1985, the government passed a new law that enabled gambling to move from the state to federal jurisdiction. This made room for hundreds of land-based casinos all over the country. The new law helped owners establish their venues in different provinces.

Each province has a different set of laws for gambling. In some areas, the state owns some casinos, while in other regions they are private. In any case, they are very popular even today.

Present and Future of Gambling in Canada

Today, Canada is one of the most productive gaming markets in the world. It generates billions of dollars each year. International software developers sign deals to distribute their content to this market because they know how prolific this market is. For casino entertainment, Canada is one of the most important regions in the world.

Don’t you find that impressive? Diversity in content and offers make Canada a fertile field for everyone interested in this kind of entertainment. There is no doubt the popularity and strength of Gambling in Canada will continue to grow in the upcoming future.

Canadian Online Gambling Facts You Didn’t Know

Canada is an industry leader in the online gaming industry. At least 19.3 million Canadians are actively gambling and this contributes to the country being ranked number 8 in online gaming. In fact, Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan decided to tap into this popular gambling industry by launching their very own gambling sites.

Source: CasinoValley 2020 Research

It makes sense to take this route because Canadians spend at least $4 billion in offshore casinos. And if you thought that figure is staggering, well, that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the over $17 billion Canadians spend in Casinos back home (Canadian Gaming Industry Report). The gambling industry, therefore, rakes in tens of billions of dollars every year.

Gambling Demographics

Even though females gamble a lot, the majority of the gamblers are male, constituting of 80% of all gamblers in Canada. Most of the gamblers are young adults who are either in college or just starting out in their careers. One of the reasons why gambling is so prevalent in Canada is the fact that almost all casinos allow for online gambling.

Gambling online is cheaper than going to a physical casino and it is super convenient too. But there is an interesting demographic about gambling in Canada – even though the males are the bigger chunk of the gamblers, women use their phones more than their male counterparts in gambling. Canada is, in fact, the only country on the globe where female gamblers using their phones for online gambling outnumber the male mobile-based online gamblers. 55% of all female gamblers do it on their mobile phones.

What Are the Gambling Games Being Played in Canada?

Participation statistics in slots, table games, electronic table games and poker

Source: CGA Summit 2016 Research

Just what are some of these gambling activities do Canadians immerse themselves in? Well, as you might have guessed, an online sports betting clinches the first position. Canadian men don’t mind blowing their bank accounts on sports betting as well as table games. Luck games such as bingo are women’s favorites in the country. Other games include slot games (played by 72% of Canadian online gamblers), table games, poker (played by 59% of online gamers), and online casinos (online casinos have 13% higher rewards than physical casinos.

An Overview of Canadian Online Casinos

A while ago, brick and mortar casinos were the real deal in Canada. Not anymore. With over 2000 gambling casino websites in the country, registering over 96% in wins, you bet Canadians have shifted their focus away from these land-based casinos (which only return less than 60% wins).

If you ask any Canadian winner what time is the best for making money in gambling, they would tell you 4pm-6pm is good. The biggest jackpot was won on the progressive slot, Mega Moolah. The jackpot was a whopping $20 million (October 2018).

20 million Canadian dollar jackpot on Mega Moolah

Last Jackpot prize Mega Moolah was on 30th January 2019 – 20,059,287 Canadian dollars.

The prospects of such gains are really tempting – and especially since the government doesn’t tax gambling returns. However, if you treat gambling as a fulltime profession and register consistent wins; the tax man will come knocking.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that problem gambling is huge in Canada. It comes with the territory. As it is, 1-2% (600,000 people) of adults in the country suffer the effects of problem gambling. Compared to brick and mortar gamblers, online gamblers suffer from this phenomenon four times over. Thankfully, there’s plenty of support from many entities in Canada for those who need help dealing with problem gambling.

So, let's define, what was the most valuable conclusion of this review: More Than 200 Years Of Gambling: From The Simplest Games To Bitcoin Casinos at Gambling History in Canada