Gambling Activities in Canada

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Gambling is generally a form of entertainment that involves a game of chance, betting scheme. Aside from being a source of entertainment, gambling can as well be played for money. With the right scheme, strategy, and knowledge about the game, you can earn money through the wagers you have placed.

History of gambling in Canada

Gambling has been a part of Canadian society for centuries, however it has been legal in Canada for only about two decades. 

The first legal official casino opening was recorded to have occurred in Montreal in 1910, people would often gamble on games like stick gambling and dice games. The Europeans brought their gambling traditions like card games and horse racing to Canada.

Gambling began to become more widely accepted in Canada during the early 20th century and the industry has steadily since, with both positive and negative effects on the economy and society.

Gambling has continued to be a popular pastime for many Canadians and will most likely continue to grow in years to come.

Is Gambling legal in Canada?

Yes,sports betting is legal In Canada, gambling is considered illegal only when it is not regulated or managed by provincial authorities. To open a casino, it is necessary to comply with the local rules and regulations that can vary with province. Canada has been friendly to the Gambling industry for quite a while now, you can find lotteries, casinos, online betting, racetrack wagering and other gaming options.

The availability of these games sometimes vary with the regions, as they can ban specific kinds of gaming.

Local regulations for casinos in Canada.

Despite the similarities between Canada regulations and regulators (e.g. who is allowed to operate, how to register) differs from one another sometimes. 

Below are some provinces in Canada with their regulators.c

Alberta

Alberta gaming, liquor and cannabis commission (AGLC) maintains the integrity of gaming activities, oversees the province liquor industry, and also provides the most innovative cannabis model that offers choice people can trust. They only allow charitable and reputable organizations to register and provide gaming services. The province has one regulated online gaming website called PlayAlberta.ca

Ontario

The Ontario lottery and gaming corporation is known to be the main regulatory body in Ontario. It is the least restricted province in Canada with varieties of land based casinos.

The top two regulations in this province are the Gaming Control Act of 1992 and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation 1999. The introduction of the iGaming market has improved accessibility of online gambling service providers in Ontario.

Online casino license in Canada

Casino license allows an establishment, company or business to offer services like games that can be played for money. While it is illegal to operate a casino without a license, some online casinos provide service to people without license.The best online casinos in Canada that provide top-notch services are required to have a license to operate.

The main purposes of the licensing system, according to the Gambling Act 2005 is to:

  • Prevent any form of connection between gambling and criminal activities 
  • To ensure all games are fair and transparent 
  • Protect vulnerable people like children and prevent them from being exploited 

The main criteria needed to obtain a license according to the UK gambling commission generally include:

  • Confirmation of identity of the person or company applying for the license 
  • Prove that the person/company has enough finance to run the business 
  • Evidence that shows the person/company is trustworthy.
  • A proof of clear criminal record
  • Qualification or experience that proves the person/company ability to run the business.

Conclusion 

Gambling is quite common in Canada as it is in many other countries, the majority of people who gamble do so without harm as a result of careful study of the regulations and history, the piece above will surely point you in the right direction as a gambler. 

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor