Canada’s Land-Based Casinos

Canadian Gambling Laws

Gambling in Canada is hugely popular, with the size of the market hovering around the US$14-15 billion mark for the last decade. Legislators have taken a fairly even-handed approach to gambling, both online and offline, to ensure a balance between business profitability and protecting players.

As recently as the 1970s, gambling was largely dominated by organized crime as most forms of gambling were illegal across all states and provinces. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, additional legislation came in to address the illegal side of gambling, resulting in legislation around lotteries, casino games, slots, and charitable gaming, ensuring protection for gamblers as well as a steady stream of taxable revenue for the state. Different parts of Canada have different laws, but for the most part any type of gambling is illegal within Canadian borders is illegal unless it is licenced or managed by the government on either a state or provincial level.

Online Presence

The online casino market has boomed; there are over 2000 online casinos licenced to operate within Canadian borders; the most popular online casino in Canada offers players a variety of casino games, slots, poker, and live dealer games.

The popularity of online gambling can be explained by a number of factors:

• Play Anywhere. Anytime

Players are now able to access their favourite casino from the comfort of their own home; this means that people no longer have to go to a physical location and can play as and when they feel like it, for as long as they want to.

• Increased Connectivity

It is now possible to have internet access pretty much anywhere, and at an affordable price. Gone are the days of being charged per minute, or unstable connection in or out of the home.

• Increased Affordability of Devices

Casino operators have developed their games to be playable on more than just a PC; games are now designed to be played on smartphone and tablets, meaning most, if not all Canadians, are able to access online gambling.

• Changing Player Habits; The Rise of the Casual Gamer

The gaming demographic has changed and grown with the advent of the smartphone. Even non-gamers will often have games on their phone to pass the time while they watch TV, or make dinner, or to lessen the boredom of the daily commute. This group of gamers is key to the growth of the industry; they would not go to a physical casino but will while away the hours on their phones having a quick spin on the slots.

• Developments in Technology

Changing technology has also enabled developers to create ever more realistic and immersive gambling experiences for players. Many operators are leveraging virtual and augmented reality to provide an exclusive experience to their customers.

Technology advancements are allowing online gambling providers to offer a unique experience to their players.

Offline Presence

Despite the boom in recent times of the online market, Canada is home to a large number of physical, bricks and mortar casinos, catering to all demographics, from local casinos, to resort-style casinos attracting foreign travellers.

• Casino Niagara, Ontario

Widely considered to be one of the best casinos in Canada, Casino Niagara overlooks the majestic Niagara Falls, and is a popular destination for tourists looking for a holiday with something more. It opened in 1996, and has over thirteen thousand slot machines, 30 gambling tables, and a poker room for the high rollers. As well as a gambling destination, it also has a number of restaurants on site providing a variety of world cuisines, a sports area, and offers live entertainment at the weekends.

The Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s most popular tourist hotspots and is also home to a luxury casino.

• Casino de Montreal, Quebec

Opened in 1993, the Casino de Montreal is the largest casino in Canada, and is open all day, every day, providing a variety of entertainment to patrons. There is over 526 thousand square feet of gaming space, with three interconnected buildings and six stories at its peak. There are 3200 slot machines, 115 gaming tables, keno facilities and lotteries and virtual gaming machines. There are also four restaurants, three bars, meeting facilities, a banqueting room and even a cabaret hall! It even features ‘The Zone’, an area of the casino for novices where bets are very low, and the house teaches the basics of baccarat, blackjack, craps, and poker.

• St Eugene Golf Resort and Casino, British Colombia

This former Indian Residential School is a native-owned property located minutes away from the airport yet a million miles away in the calm, natural beauty of the Rockies. As well as being a casino, this resort offers its guests so much more. As well as 240 slot machines and four tables, the resort also boasts a golf course, two restaurants, a bar, and a spa, including heated pool, relaxation pools, sauna, steam room, and for the more energetic, a fully equipped gym. The 125 hotel rooms and suites are top notch and is ranked as a Three Diamond hotel by the AAA.

Which Will Win Out: Online or Offline?

Both online and offline casinos are hugely popular, and whilst on the surface there could be fears that the rise of online casinos would spell the end for offline ones, nothing could be further from the truth. Although there is some cross-over in the demographics of the player base, online and offline casinos cater to very different types of gamers. Whilst technology has made gambling more accessible, there will always be a place for the offline casino, offering a fun and exciting night out for gamblers and non-gamblers alike, with glitz, glamour, and excitement.