Playing at an online casino or betting online is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Canada, but it wasn’t always the case. The gambling industry in Canada changed significantly when the laws and regulations regarding gambling activities changed. Online gambling sites were previously banned in Canada, which meant that there wasn’t much of a market for gambling in the country. Over the years, the gambling market went through several changes and developments and it’s now considered one of the biggest gambling markets in the world, with an estimated revenue of $31 billion a year generated from online gambling.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the growing popularity of online gambling in Canada as well as what to look for to find the best Canadian online casinos.
The Laws and Regulations Regarding Gambling
Gambling was once illegal in Canada and most forms of gambling were strictly prohibited up until 1970. This is roughly the time when the laws surrounding gambling started to change and the government started to ease the restrictions on gambling activities.
Today, most forms of gambling are legal in Canada, but online gambling is still considered to be somewhat of a grey area. The Criminal Code of Canada is the only source of reference for gambling laws, but it doesn’t specifically prohibit Canadians from betting online. This means that while the Canadian laws don’t allow operators to be registered within Canada, it’s perfectly legal for Canadians to play at any offshore online casino of their choice.
Kahnawake Gambling Commission
The Kahnawake Gambling Commission (KGC) is the exception to the law that prohibits online casinos registered in Canada because it has the authority to license its own casino sites to players. The KGC is the regulatory body that oversees the gambling legislation in Quebec and the authority that grants licenses to online casino and sportsbook providers. The KGC works to promote safe online gambling by regulating online casinos, poker rooms, and sports betting sites to ensure they are compliant with the current legislation.
Any online casino provider interested in obtaining a Kahnawake Gaming Commission has to meet strict criteria to obtain it. Currently, there are approximately 50 online casino providers who own a Kahnawake Gaming Commission, with around 250 gambling sites. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation also provides gambling services in the province of Ontario, and the proceeds go to related economic sectors and the community.
Since online gambling is somewhat of a grey area in Canada, many Canadian players turn to offshore casinos licensed by other regulatory bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Both of these gaming authorities have a long-standing, solid reputation in the online gambling industry, meaning any casino that holds either of these licenses is safe to play at. Most of the best casino sites for Canadians are foreign sites that are licensed by any of the top gambling authorities and accept players from Canada.
How to Find the Best Online Casino Sites for Canadians
Finding the right casino for Canadians is an easy task if you know what to look for. And considering there are over 100 online casinos available to players from Canada, there are several high-quality casinos to choose from. The best way to get started is by checking out some recommendations of the best Canadian online casinos at casimoose.ca. On this site, players interested in finding an online casino to sign up with can find a trusted list of the top recommended sites.
Every recommended casino is reviewed by experts with years of experience in online casinos. They also provide a useful, in-depth checklist that explains how they review any casino and what criteria it needs to meet in order to be recommended on their site. Online casinos which accept players from Canada are reviewed in terms of the game selection they offer, the bonuses available, the payment options available, and the licenses they hold.
Conclusion
Online casinos are increasing in popularity every year and the gambling market in Canada is certainly no exception. The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits operators from offering gambling services to Canadians if they are registered within the country’s borders, despite the laws being somewhat of a grey area. The only thing you need to know is that playing at an online casino that is licensed and registered outside of Canada, is perfectly safe and legal. For this reason, the Canadian gambling market continues to grow and online gambling remains one of the most popular activities for Canadians, with increased demand for online and mobile casinos that are open to Canadians. In short, it’s safe to say that Canadians are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a safe, legal, and high-quality online casino.