History of online casinos in Canada is rich and meaningful with many ups and downs faced through the years. The evolution of online and offline gambling in the country is tightly connected with brick ‘n’ mortar establishments, native territories, regulatory battles, technology developments, and big wins. We’re about to tell you an interesting story that inspired many generations of punters to start a career at an online casino in Canada, so here it is.
Efforts to Legalize Gambling in Canada
The fact is Canada was among countries that embraced some of the earliest forms of popular pastime, but things weren’t so smooth at the beginning. Back in the 19th century, the Criminal Code of Canada was completely against any form of gambling and made it illegal by all means. Until the mid-20th century, operations that involved this activity were obsolete and forbidden, needless to say.
Things started to change in 1969 when Canada’s lawmakers decided to amend the Code and create a little bit more favorable environment for gambling. Initially, the lottery was decriminalized, which opened doors for other gambling-related forms. The industry was booming, and landline casinos were popping every here and there.
Logically, the next step was to enter in the late 1990s when Microgaming took advantage and connected its first online venue with new customers around the world. Virtual venues are now widely accepted and enjoyed by many young and older Canadians. The provider still powers some of the best online casinos Canada has to offer, so you can always check their reviews.
Initially, Canadian casinos had a little to offer, but it was an unstoppable force that took the online gambling industry by storm. Punters were able to enjoy in various poker rooms or to play table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Of course, new software providers emerged and developed advanced video slots, which made playing at online casinos pure excitement with jackpots and big wins.
Current State of Things on the Regulated Market
Along with rave and grunge, the 1990s were fertile ground for new technologies as well. Riding the wave of Microgaming’s success, crafty people from the Mohawk Territory established the Kahnawake Gaming Commission as a countrywide regulatory body. There was no poker room or a gambling venue that could even dream of starting to operate in Canada without the Commission’s license.
Fast-forward to 2021 when the legal online casinos Canadian market seems like it will never stop growing: there are 50+ operators in online business licensed by this body and the same applies to more than 250 establishments that work on the worldwide web. Clearly, with online gambling becoming more popular, players have a better choice and a wider variety of games to play.
While dealing with online casinos in Canada, it is worth mentioning the Commission’s strictness in the notorious case on a poker site that used cheating software to rip their customers off. The Commission was brief and effective, issuing a record-breaking $22 million fine that was later refunded to all bettors who suffered from the fraud.
What About Gambling Outside the Borders?
For quite some time, Canadian players are allowed to visit any licensed and regulated site, even though this is a solution far from perfect. Why? Well, the country laws have a lot of room for improvements especially when dealing with domestic operators who would like to open an online casino in Canada. Practically, they are now forced to move the business outside the country borders. On the other hand, for a gamer, this has no effect at all.
Being a Canada player, there is no rule that forbids you to open a new account, make a deposit, and play a game of your choice. Also, claiming a bonus is another move you can enjoy without any restrictions. When it comes to offshore venues that opened doors for this audience, they come with more generous deals than their landline counterparts.
If laws change in the foreseeable future, we will see them developing to bring bettors baskets full of goodies – comp points, loyalty rewards, bonuses, free spins, different games, and more. Depending on your preferences, it would be possible to use them on any real money game, including live dealer games hosted by a real croupier. We hope things will get better in this regard, but in the meantime, you can always use an offshore venue as a perfect getaway.
Rich Offering at Top Online Venues
Given the number of online casino sites currently available to punters, it would be a miracle if the most reputable of them are not fully featured. Translated to our lingua franca, this means that the collection of online casino games is rich and has no shortage of elements designed to keep you entertained for a while.
Naturally, Canadian casino customers are entitled to all globally accepted payment options such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and more. In addition, gambling sites that accept gaming enthusiasts from the Country of Maple Leaf are willing to greet them with Interac – a nationwide payment processor that simplifies trading across multiple markets. This implies coverage for all Canadian online casinos.
Conclusion
The Canadian online casino story is rich and still developing, which opens many doors for new opportunities for both operators and customers. Thanks to a native territory-based regulatory body, the state can generate massive revenues from licensing casinos around the globe. Ultimately, it is expected for the first Canadian online casino to be launched soon after the highest regulation office drafts a suitable law. There is no doubt at all – we are about to witness the next stage of Canadian online casinos entering the new era of gambling on the Internet.
