Internet gambling has surged in popularity in recent years, and Canada is no exception to that. But what’s driving the increased activity at online casinos? Read on, to find out.
The Global Surge in Online Casinos
On a worldwide scale, it is estimated that within just a few years the online casino industry will be worth half a trillion dollars, an astonishing sum of money. In Canada itself, the industry already contributes around $31 billion per annum. These are hefty sums indeed, but how did they come about?
It’s important to recognise that the rise in online betting sites is not a Canada-specific phenomenon, but part of a global pattern. Canada is very much part of a common trend of the rising popularity of casinos.
Not only can you easily play at Canadian casinos online, the corresponding rise in smartphone and tablet ownership means that players aren’t even tied to a desktop. People can, and do, play on the go, dipping in for short periods at a time, even whilst curled up on the sofa at home.
Finding Canadian Online Casinos to Play At
This convenience and increased number of online gambling sites has also worked in players’ favour by making the gambling industry very competitive. All the top online casinos vie to offer the best games and sleekest websites, and you can review them at Online-casinos.ca. Here you’ll find the best recommendations, along with generous online casino welcome bonuses you can use to test out sites before taking the plunge.
The proliferation of online gambling has also made review sites particularly useful for comparing and contrasting provision of games, software developers, promotions, and more. Over time, the competitive nature of the industry has led to bonuses at Canadian online casinos becoming more generous. Likewise, the mobile platforms and social aspects of gambling sites are continually being improved, factors which help keep things fresh and explain the increasing popularity of such sites.
The lack of a physical presence is another major plus point of Canadian online casinos. Not only does this make them more resilient to local or global events (the 2020 pandemic being the stand out example of our time), but it also means new slots and table games can
be brought online in practically unlimited number, whereas brick-and-mortar companies are constrained by the physical limitations of their establishments.
Technological progress has long been a hallmark of online casinos, from the inception of betting over the internet through to mobile compatibility and the use of cryptocurrency for payments. Many now expect VR to be the next major leap forward for the leading Canadian gambling sites, particularly in the field of live dealer table games which seem naturally suited to the potential and limitations of VR technology.
Online casinos are particularly good for Canadians, who have an enormous country with low population density. Unlike older, more crowded European states such as the Netherlands or the United Kingdom, real world establishments can be altogether further away, making them impractical for many residents. But gambling sites are only as far away as your hardware, whether computer or mobile device.
Money Matters: Financial Advantages at Online Casinos
Whilst old methods such as credit and debit cards, and even ye olde bank wire, remain universally accepted payment methods at Canadian online casinos, funding options are only going to increase. Already cryptocurrency (particularly bitcoin) is becoming more widely accepted, and e-wallets are available almost everywhere, although it’s worth noting Canadians will have difficulty betting with most e-wallets. This can be something of an issue as e-wallets including Neteller and Skrill aren’t available to Canadians for gambling purposes but are amongst the most popular options at casinos. Incidentally, players from Canada may also struggle to withdraw using Mastercard (although deposits should be ok). Pre-paid cards and new systems such as Apple Pay are also becoming increasingly available at online gambling sites, making them more convenient for players who prefer cutting edge methods of personal finance.
One general advantage that online casinos in Canada can have over real world establishments is the lower overheads. Just as an internet shop doesn’t have to pay for a physical storefront, a casino on the internet doesn’t have the same staffing and building costs. The upside for a player of this is that the house needs a smaller edge to turn the same profit if it’s online. That’s why gambling sites tend to have better chances of finishing ahead for players. The realisation amongst the player base that the intangible, internet model actually improves the odds of finishing green rather than red is one more reason why more and more people are trying their hand at casinos on the internet.
Casinos and Communities
Gambling is a significant part of Canada’s economy, contributing well over 100,000 jobs and billions per annum towards government coffers. In 2014/15, British Columbia had gaming revenue exceeding $1bn, with $39.5m from charitable associations (including casinos), and $95.8m from local government hosted casinos.
In 2017, the CGA (Canadian Gaming Association) reported that $1bn of the $17.1bn gaming win pertained to the hospitality sector more generally (food, retail, accommodation etc). In the same year, it was reported that Gateway Casinos & Entertainment had donated in excess of $1m to over a thousand community and charitable organizations throughout Canada.
Indeed, the provinces are a major beneficiary of Canadian casinos, with provinces, municipalities, and First Nations receiving 48% of associated revenue (5% going to charities and 3% to the federal authorities). This is particularly important as people of the First Nations average significantly lower incomes and life expectancies than other Canadians, and using gaming revenue for educational and health purposes can help to redress this imbalance.
Open-minded Laws
Relaxation of gambling laws in Canada, often aimed at ensuring gamblers visit reputable, licensed, and audited online casinos rather than more dubious sites, is another reason why internet gambling has increased in the country over the years.
In that sense, Canada has followed a more mainstream European model rather than the typically anti-gambling approach taken by the US (although it’s worth noting that loosening of gambling laws is gradually occurring south of the border now). Some countries do have an even more pro-gambling approach than Canada, so there’s scope for this to increase even more.
Mobile Play
Touched on above, mobile platforms allowing individuals to play on the go have been a real shot in the arm for the online casino industry. Large numbers of people already have smartphones, and, unlike desktops, they’re specifically designed to be convenient to take with you wherever you might go.
New games are usually designed to be mobile compatible right from the start, particularly with Android and iOS (the leading mobile operating systems).
In addition, many internet casinos are learning from social media and starting to incorporate social interaction options. These can feed into competitions with leader boards and challenges, and one can expect the social aspect of casinos to increase and become more sophisticated.
Online Gambling is Always Accessible
This is a new, and hopefully short-lived, state of affairs but there’s no denying the impact of the coronavirus on real world establishments in every sector of life. This includes casinos, and here the advantage of the online world is starkly illustrated. Whilst land-based casinos have been shutting their doors, correctly, for reasons of public health, online casinos are relatively unaffected.
The absence of real world betting establishments combined with the sudden cancellation of sports (and thus sports betting) has helped to drive players towards Canadian online gambling sites, which are inherently more robust to public health emergencies such as the current pandemic. Whereas real world sites have opening and closing times (and the lockdown has meant prolonged closure for many), sites on the internet are open all the time. This makes them convenient for everyone, but especially players who find themselves working from home and who might have odd new hours.
All of these factors combine to explain the rising growth of online casinos in Canada. From the general global trend to the recent pandemic depriving sports betting fans of their preferred pastime, and the surge in smartphones which feeds in to convenient gaming on the go, there’s no sign of the rising popularity of online gambling coming to a halt anytime soon.
PUBLISHED BY HARRY MILLER
