Thanks to its liberal attitude towards gambling, casinos and other forms of gaming have been popular in Canada for years. As with gaming in many countries, the online market is becoming increasingly popular with citizens of the Great White North.
While traditional land-based casinos are still popular, they are fading, while online providers like 888 casino Canada are booming. Online casinos are becoming more popular in Canada, with Canadians preferring the convenience and easy access that online casinos offer in comparison to a land-based casino.
In 2020, Canadian’s spent $4 billion playing offshore online casinos, yet the domestic online revenue was less than $2 billion. This discrepancy is largely down to Canada’s slightly difficult to navigate laws when it comes to online gambling.
While gambling in the North American country is broadly legal across the board, online casinos must be given individual licenses. These cannot be granted nationally, and instead must be applied for in the province of the hosting location.
Furthermore, sites hosted within Canada’s borders are not permitted to operate across different provinces. In order to do this, special permission must be agreed with all the local authorities involved.
Offshore providers, on the other hand, are free to operate effectively unrestricted thanks to a few unguarded legal loopholes. While it is technically illegal for them to specifically target Canadian citizens, Canadian individuals are free to use offshore products.
Even if Canada wanted to try and restrict offshore casino providers within its shores, there isn’t much it can do. Canadian laws only provide for the penalization of land-based physical casinos, they cannot enforce the same on offshore online providers.
All this is of little consequence to the individual players, who are free to enjoy any products they can access. With over 2000 online casinos to choose from, more and more Canadian’s are playing every week.
With an average 96% return offered online, compared to under 60% in the physical venues, it’s easy to understand why. That’s even before you consider the incredible variety of choice the online world offers to players.
With an average 96% return offered online, compared to under 60% in the physical venues, it’s easy to understand why. That’s even before you consider the incredible variety of choice the online world offers to players.
So, what are the most popular types of casino games in Canada at the moment?
Slots & Jackpots
Games of chance with a little bit of skill, often tied up with strong themes or entertainment brands. These offer players seemingly endless ways to win prizes big and small, and jackpots in excess of $1 million.
Slots are the most popular type of game, played by 72% of Canada’s online gamers of all ages. Surveys show slots are the most likely game to attract people both older and younger than the key 35-50 demographic.
Poker
The most famous of all card games attracts a huge section of the market and 59% of all online gamers. From Texas Hold ‘Em to Five-Card Stud, players can choose their preferred style and spend level.
Poker requires more knowledge and skill than other games and can generate great tension and excitement throughout a session. It’s also a social game, with many online providers offering chat functions where players can interact as an additional feature.
Table Games
Roulette, be that European or American, is a hugely popular choice for those preferring to leave fate to lady luck. Blackjack is also another casino classic that has translated with great success to the online world.
These games are particularly popular with the younger players, with almost twice as many under 35s playing than over 35s. The added involvement and interaction combines well with the relative ease of introduction and quick learning curve.
Live Casino
For those looking to combine the atmosphere of a physical casino with the convenience of online, live casino is perfect. Online players can connect with a live croupier and other players via virtual link for a real-time casino experience.
This adds another dimension to the gameplay and an urgent and immersive element that appeals to many players. It also increases the options for embracing a social side to online gaming within a more interactive setting.
Baccarat
Also popular with Canadian casino players is Baccarat, the ultimate high roller’s card game. Players here don’t need to worry about busting, they just need to bet on the best hand of the round.
Baccarat invites participants to bet on a player, the banker, or on a tie as the cards are dealt. It’s a game that combines chance and skill in a way many Canadian players find seductive.
Though gambling has a long history in Canada, it was a law change in 1985 that expanded the casino industry. Moving the jurisdiction for casinos from state to federal made it easier for owners to build establishments around the country.
If a similar approach were adopted for online regulation, the industry could see a national boom like never before. Add this to the recently passed legalization of sports betting, and the future for Canadian gambling could look very bright.
It’s clear that Canadian’s have a thirst for the online casino industry, just as they have always enjoyed physical casinos. There are many casino games already rated highly and enjoyed regularly in Canada and this only looks set to expand.
There is a huge potential to expand Canada’s market and revenue with a growing online casino provision by Canadian operators. Recent changes in sports betting laws indicate the Canadian government has its eye on that potential, so watch this space.
