Canadians are big fans of entertainment experiences, from live hockey nights to both mainstream and independent cinema (its home to the Toronto International Film Festival) and more. But one form of entertainment that Canadians love is gambling. Studies show that around 75% of Canadians enjoy some type of gambling, from lotteries and slots to table games like poker and more.
And with over 200 land-based casinos located across the country, there’s certainly a world of choice when it comes to the gambling experience that people from Canada can have.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of gambling in Canada as well as what Canadians prefer – and where the industry is headed in the country’s future.
A brief history
The history of casino games in Canada begins thousands of years ago, when games of chance were played by indigenous people in a game called Slahal. This game involves playing with the bones of deer or other animals in order to beat an opponent and was enjoyed as part of sacred rituals recreationally – and is still played today.
One of the first official gambling events recorded in Canada was in 1767 in Quebec City when on the Plains of Abraham, the horse known as Modesty became the winner for the first horse racing event.
Another leap forward in history, and in 1910 Pari-mutuel betting became legal as well as occasional games of luck if profits were used for charities.
In 1970 things changed even further when it came to the country’s gambling laws. This law gave provinces the right to create and implement their own laws when it came to gambling. Nineteen years later the first land-based commercial casino was opened in Winnipeg.
This followed years of other casinos opening across the country in provinces like Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
These days, millions of Canadians enjoy gambling every single year. This has resulted in a $2.66 billion revenue in 2020 alone.
In the city of Toronto alone there are 32 gambling establishments.
The rise of online casinos
The internet boom of the 1990s had a widespread impact on global industries, including of course casinos. Not long after video games and iGaming became prolific, so too did the demand for players to enjoy their favourite casino games online.
Online gambling is legal in Canada provided that the online casinos that players are playing at are located offshore. And there are so many reasons why Canadians are choosing casinos, especially online ones, as their preferred leisure activity.
But what are the top reasons that Canadians are playing online casino games?
While the popularity of online casinos is booming all around the world, there are some big reasons why people in Canada are choosing them as one of their top leisure activities. Research in Ontario by the staff at bonus.ca showed the top places for Canadians in the province to play.
Here’s why they’re loving it! Variety of games
Online casinos can offer a huge range of games compared to their land-based counterparts. As the games themselves don’t require physical space or storage, or transport, games can be added quickly online to the selection.
That allows online casinos to offer lots of variety – as well as the latest and greatest games.
And with technology improving all the time, and game developers competing in a saturated market, that means there’s always something new and exciting for players. And the online casinos want to be the first to offer them!
Offers and promotions Speaking of offerings, one of the reasons that players keep coming back to online casino websites is the offers and promotions that are available to them. Many casino websites attract players initially by offering a sign-up bonus, like free spins or credit.
And to keep players loyal to their sites, many online casinos have created VIP programmes which push out regular promotions or bonuses based on how much you play on the website.
Earn real money
Unlike other types of games, casino games give you the opportunity to win actual money and add to your bank roll. As most casino players will know, there’s always a chance of losing out on money too.
But the risk is what makes casino games so exciting – and keeps players coming back.
To improve brain skills
Many online casino games are just games of chance. But some do require strategy and critical thinking – and can help you to improve those skills over time. A great example of this type of game is poker, where you need to outsmart your opponent with strategic moves.
It also makes these types of games more rewarding as you can improve at them over time. Many people get better at games by studying the pros or even taking classes.
In any case, what makes games like poker a bit more challenging is good for your cognitive skills by getting your brain fired up and thinking.
Convenience
One of the final reasons why so many Canadians love casino games online is that they’re convenient! As long as you have data or a Wi-Fi signal you can enjoy your favourite casino game on the go from wherever you are.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kevin Lankinen made 26 saves for his fourth career shutout and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 on Saturday night.
Nils Hoglander, Brock Boeser and Kyle Sherwood scored for the Canucks, who spoiled Philadelphia’s home opener and the first NHL home game for top Flyers’ prospects Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko.
The Canucks controlled play for most of the game and took advantage of Philadelphia’s defensive breakdowns for a pair of goals.
Samuel Ersson made 29 saves for Philadelphia, which lost its fourth consecutive game (0-3-1) after winning its season opener against the Canucks in Vancouver.
TAKEAWAYS
Canucks: Tyler Myers picked up an assist on a nifty, no-look pass to Boeser. It was Myers’ 1,000th NHL game. Myers also had three shots on goal, blocked a pair of shots, finished the game plus-1 and led the Canucks in total time on ice at 21:54.
Flyers: In another milestone game, Philadelphia captain Sean Couturier played in his 800th career game. However, the veteran centre was demoted to the fourth line and on the left wing by coach John Tortorella before the game. Once the Flyers fell behind 3-0, Couturier was shifted back to centre, but he couldn’t spark the team’s offence.
KEY MOMENT
Vancouver scored twice in 50 seconds in the second period to pull away. Sherwood’s goal was a one-timer off a faceoff win by Teddy Blueger to make it 3-0.
KEY STAT
Minus 11, the Flyers’ goal differential in five games this season at even strength. Through five games they have now been outscored 17-6 at five-on-five. All three of Vancouver’s goals on Saturday were at even strength.
UP NEXT
Canucks: Visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.
NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Dobson scored in the ninth round of the shootout to lead the New York Islanders to a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Bo Horvat, Kyle Palmieri and Anders Lee scored in regulation for the Islanders, and Dobson had two assists. Semyon Varlamov finished with 21 saves.
Cole Caulfield had two goals and Logan Mailloux also scored for Montreal. Cayden Primeau made 33 saves.
Palmieri and Simon Holmstron also scored for the Islanders in the shootout, and Oliver Kapanen and Emil Heineman tallied for Montreal.
Caufield forced overtime with 2:10 left in regulation to tie the score 3-3. It came 2:26 after Lee gave the Islanders the lead.
TAKEAWAYS
Canadiens: Mailloux scored his first NHL goal 59 seconds into the second period to tie the game 2-2.
Islanders: Entering the game, the Islanders’ 33 shots per game ranked third in the NHL but their average of 2.5 goals per game was 27th in the league. Horvat and Palmieri scored 2:26 apart late in the first period to give New York a 2-0 lead.
KEY MOMENT
Varlamov’s glove save on Caufield’s breakaway 5:44 into the second period kept the score tied 2-2.
KEY STAT
New York limited Montreal to 24 shots in the win. Through their first four games before Saturday night, the Islanders had held opponents to 29.3 shots per game, which was 13th in the NHL.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Host the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Islanders: Host the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland finished 54 holes of the wind-delayed Shriners Children’s Open knowing he’ll have his best chance at winning since brain surgery more than a year ago. Best of all Saturday was being finished.
Woodland had three birdies over his final six holes and extended his bogey-free streak to 28 holes in polishing off a 6-under 65 that gave him a share of the clubhouse lead with Las Vegas resident Kurt Kitayama, who also had a 65.
They trailed J.T. Poston and Doug Ghim by one shot when play was suspended by darkness. Thirty of the 66 players who made the cut earlier Saturday did not finish.
Poston had an eagle during his closing stretch of the second round for a 65, and his only sub-par hole in the third round was an eagle on the par-5 ninth. It put him at 15-under par through 13 holes. Also at 15 under was Ghim, who had four straight birdies and was facing a five-foot par putt on the 17th hole when it was too dark to continue.
Woodland had surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion on his brain, situated on a tract that caused fear and anxiety. It’s been a long road back of making progress with his health, getting dialed in on the right medication and trying to get his game in order.
He also went back to Randy Smith, the PGA Hall of Fame swing coach in Dallas. Now Woodland is sensing the pieces coming back together.
“I feel a lot better for one,” Woodland said. “That’s a huge help. But I’ve seen some signs. I’ve been back with Randy Smith for a couple months now. I am starting to drive it better, iron play, controlling the golf ball like I haven’t in a long time, which is nice. Then putts start going in, start putting some good scores up.
“I’m excited and happy to be here — and really happy to finish tonight so I can get some sleep tomorrow.”
The third round was to resume at 8 a.m., and Woodland likely will start around 11 a.m. That beats getting up before dawn, which he already has had to do twice this week.
Next to be determined is where he stands.
Harris English and Alejandro Tosti of Argentina also were at 14 under with four holes to play, including the reachable par 4 and the easiest of the three par 5s. Six other players were at 13 under and still had holes to play.
Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., only completed 13 holes on Saturday and sits two shots back of the leaders. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., is tied for 44th at 5 under. Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., is tied for 61st at 3 under.
The wind has calmed substantially from Friday, when gusts approached 50 miles per hour and led to a four-hour delay that caused the stop-and-start and the last two days being suspended because of darkness. A TPC Summerlin course that was all about hanging on is now back to being a test of who can make the most birdies.
“Conditions will be pretty easy. I think you saw that with some of the scores,” Poston said. “Guys are making birdies. So I think it’s just trying to stay aggressive but also stay patient if the putts don’t fall early because there is a lot of holes left.”
The second round didn’t end until about noon Saturday and the cut was at 3-under 139. Among those who missed was Tom Kim, the two-time defending champion who was trying to become the first player since Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic (2009-11) to win the same PGA Tour event three straight years.
Also missing the cut were the three winners in the FedEx Cup Fall — Patton Kizzire, Kevin Yu and Matt McCarty.
