The Evolution of Casino Regulations in Canada & What It Means For Players

Canada has had an evolving stance on gambling, with the most significant changes occurring in the 1970s and at the turn of the millennium. These changes initially affected land-based casinos, lotteries, and bingo halls, which were quite popular nationwide. However, there has been a significant shift to online gambling over the past two decades, necessitating many new regulations that would keep players safe and help them have fun. 

Today, we will look into the history of gambling in Canada and the stance that each province has taken towards land-based and online gambling. Stick around to find out how these regulations affect casino enthusiasts!

The Beginnings of Casino Gambling in Canada

While interested Canadian gamblers have quite a few platforms to choose from nowadays, including many Bayton casinos, that was not always the case. When gambling first emerged as a pastime in Canada, it included Indigenous people and games of chance in random locations.

The humble beginnings of regulated casino gambling in Canada can be traced to the late 1800s. During this time, some of the first gambling clubs were opened, but the availability of games was usually quite limited, and the casinos themselves charged high fees to admit players, so not everyone could afford to join them. Some clubs that date from the period are the Quebec Club, which opened in Montreal in 1894, and the Rideau Club, which opened in Ottawa in 1898.

There was a clear need to define gambling further and offer more options for interested players, possibly even some options that would be affordable to everyone, even those on a tight budget. Thus, in 1910, the government decided to open the first government-run lottery club, bringing additional revenue to the state. Since this was a success, it was easy to assume that casinos would soon follow.

In the 1970s, the government revealed the idea of opening casinos that would operate under licenses provided by regulatory bodies working with the government. While this allowed many land-based casinos to open, the process was not simple. Namely, it is widely known that the licenses were costly, and there was quite the competition among companies, with the most successful gamblers being the ones that usually earned a license. 

Switch to Online Gambling

Since the 2000s, things have taken a significant shift in the gambling market not only in Canada but worldwide. The emergence of online casinos has made gambling much more popular and accessible for players. Research from 2022 shows that up to 65% of all Canadians above the age of 15 had gambled at least once throughout the previous year, and much of that action happened online. 

These platforms have become so popular in a short period because they offer many benefits over land-based gambling. Anonymity is one of the key things for players who want to hide their interest in gambling. You can make your profile, deposit money, and start gambling without even leaving your home and without anyone seeing you enter a physical casino.

Besides anonymity, the convenience makes quite the difference for many. There’s no time wasted in traffic or commuting, but there are game lobbies that house hundreds, if not thousands, of games - something you’ll rarely see in land-based casinos. Each player can earn incentives when using these platforms, whether in the form of free spins or bonus cash. 

If we were to account for the cashiers with trusted payment methods, advanced security features, mobile optimization, and a support team available at any time, it’s easy to understand why so many people are obsessed with online casinos - they offer entertainment and a chance to make winnings when wagering with minimal amounts. 

Current Gambling Laws in Canada

Navigating the casino landscape in Canada can be a bit challenging if you are new to the country or just recently showed an interest in online gambling. Namely, each province can set its own gambling rules and regulations. Some provinces, like Ontario, have a fully regulated market with a local regulatory body in the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The same can be said for Kahnawake and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. 

Still, some provinces forbid all types of gambling, so there are no platforms operating legally in those locations. If players want to play online games, their only option would be to focus on offshore casinos available for Canadians. Even these platforms can be a great option if you know what to look for before registering - a license, secure payment options, encryption and anti-money laundering policies, responsible gambling tools, and more. 

What Do Recent Casino Regulations Mean for Players?

Now that we’ve discussed the shift from land-based gambling to online gambling and all the current laws and regulations surrounding this market, do you want to know what all this means for players interested in joining a casino platform? Here's more:

Greater Choice

Players across Canada can find many platforms that cater to Canadians, offering all their services and allowing them to register for an account whenever they want to. If you are located in a province with a regulated market, like Ontario, you can visit iGaming Ontario or AGCO’s official website and check the register for all the casinos you can join and legally wager at.

Improved Consumer Protection

Of all the gambling platforms available to Canadian players, most have at least one valid gambling license that protects players in case of a dispute. Following current trends, Canadian casinos have added consumer protection measures to their platforms, including encryption protocols, fairness audits, and responsible gambling measures.

Tax Clarity

Due to the growing interest in gambling, you can find many law services and local governments explaining the tax laws regarding gambling. Currently, this activity is seen as a hobby and not something that generates regular income, so your winnings are not considered taxable. That means you get to keep whatever you win!