Online casinos are enjoying immense popularity across the globe. While many countries don’t allow gambling and its various forms, there are also those that realized that casinos are popular for a reason and decided to give their economy a boost. One of them is certainly Canada. But, what is the current situation, and are there things you should know before you join an online casino? Keep on reading to learn more about online gambling in the Great White North.
The current situation with online casinos in Canada
In 1985, changes to the Criminal Code were made and control over gambling legislation and activities was transferred from the federal government to the provinces. This meant that every province could draft and pass its own laws in terms of betting. Before this move, the only types of gambling allowed were horse racing, sports lotteries, and charity raffles, and other non-profit gambling.
As each province has free rein when it comes to gambling rules and regulations, the laws in Canada can be a bit confusing. However, they are also pretty straightforward.
For one, online gambling is legal as long as the operator has a license to run an online casino in Canada. Moreover, even playing in an unlicensed casino is not illegal for players as only the owners could run into trouble. Lastly, there are also many out-of-the-state operators that are available to Canadians. These operators found a loophole by basing their servers on the Kahnawake reserve territory, which is a part of Canada.
Then, there are also province-run gambling sites that Canadians can play on. However, while these sites do offer sports betting, instant lottery, and casino games, many residents prefer out-of-the-country casinos as they offer a bigger variety of games and promotions. Additionally, these services are usually geo-fenced and not available to Canadians from different provinces.
Why are online casinos so popular in Canada?
When it comes to the popularity of online casinos in Canada, the reasons behind it are quite simple and similar to everywhere else in the world. Besides being fun and exciting, it comes down to the many benefits that online casinos come with. For instance, they are easily accessed and convenient as they can be played on the go on various portable devices.
Moreover, online casinos offer a wide array of games, many of which cannot be found in brick-and-mortar establishments, as well as some free games that don’t require any money. Then, players can expect bonuses and promotions from online casinos on a regular basis.
In addition, depositing and withdrawing money is made easy with various payment methods such as debit and credit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, and cryptocurrencies. Finally, Canadians are not charged taxes on any of their winnings, both in online and land-based casinos.
How to select the best online casino
In terms of choosing the best online casino, there are several things to look out for. First of all, you should check out the casino’s website and ensure they have the right licenses and software certificates. For instance, look for the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) stamp of approval.
Then, you can research an online casino’s history. Find an ‘about’ page or some relevant news online that will show you how long it’s been operating. Look for forum opinions and user comments as well, as you can learn more about the experience other people had while playing at a particular casino. Furthermore, you can also rely on review websites that regularly make lists of the best online casinos in Canada and pick the top-rated ones to join.
Something else that you need to keep in mind when choosing an online casino is their offer of games. Do they have hundreds or even thousands of options? Do they offer all sorts of casino games, from slots with various themes to card and table games like poker, baccarat, and roulette, or just stick to one type? Is there a live dealer option?
You also want to check out the bonuses they offer. Will you receive a welcome bonus once you sign up? Will you get a free game or a bonus if you invite a friend? Look into what your rewards could be and choose accordingly.
Last but not least, you need to look into the payment methods. The bigger the variety, the better. So, you want a casino that allows you to deposit money using your Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, e-wallet, cryptocurrency, or Interac. Additionally, don’t forget to check how long withdrawal can take as you surely don’t want to wait for a week to get your winnings.
To conclude, if you want to play in an online casino in Canada, there is no need to worry – gambling is legal in this country. However, you still want to join a reputable casino, which is why some research is always recommended.