Why Online Gaming is Becoming Popular in Canada

Online gaming has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the past few years. In fact, Grand View Research reports that the global online market is expected to be worth $102.97 billion by 2025. This craze is obvious locally, as well, with the rise of online casinos within the country.

Case in point, Canadian corporation, British Columbia Lottery, has an online gaming division that recorded a 14.5% increase in revenue. This amounts to a whopping $180.6 million in 2018 alone. Without a doubt, online gaming has started to become an industry worth keeping an eye on.

It's worth discussing how it became so popular in the country in the first place, as knowing this may help players track its trajectory. On the outset, one should consider resources such as guides on choosing a poker site as a critical tool for further learnings.

Read on to understand why online gaming is so popular in Canada and what the future may hold for this promising industry.

Pioneers of the Industry

One of the reasons that online gaming is so popular is because of its relatively deep roots in Canada. CBC News details that online lottery tickets have been available through British Columbia since 2004, which signified the beginning of online gaming in the country.

Online poker soon followed in 2009, with online casinos being rolled out only a year later. Being one of the first ones in the game, Canada quickly became a hub for the online gaming industry with its online slots, roulette, lotto, and poker available for its citizens to enjoy.

Social Aspect

You can't discuss the rise of online gaming without talking about the social aspect of it, and how it has expanded thanks to the internet. CNET outlines how the internet has made connecting with millions of people across the globe easier than ever before.

This translates to gaming as well, with people nowadays experiencing an uptick in player connectivity. Statistics Canada states that nearly all adult Canadians use the internet every day, 76% of which access it using their smartphones.

While we can point to many games that benefited from this, games that have a more social aspect have benefited the most. Games like poker that could only be played face-to-face have now crossed over to reach millions of players through mobile. The PPPoker LinkedIn company profile page points out how online gaming platforms enable users to play poker whenever and wherever they want, with millions of gamers ready to interact with each other at any given time. The continuous development of such technology that harnesses the human need to be social all but ensures the progress of online gaming in Canada and the world.

Ease of Access

Lastly, a contributing factor to online gaming's popularity in Canada is the relative ease of access that players have to the games. Canadians can opt to use a wide range of payment methods such as Paypal, Entropay, Ukash, and Skrill to participate in any of the available online gaming options. The focus on user experience and accessibility is part of what makes online gaming such a hit in Canada. Gaming companies ensure that players have a convenient and hassle-free experience from start to finish.

Future of Online Gaming

Given the popularity and perceived potential of the online gaming industry in Canada, what then is the next step? While advances in technology will surely bolster the already thriving gaming industry, new developments are right around the corner. The rise of online sports betting across the globe is on its way to Canada — giving locals yet another exciting option. CTV Windsor's report on the endorsement of online sports betting in Canada is a promising sign in the emergence of what could potentially be a $40 billion industry. And while things have yet to be set in stone, the future looks bright for gaming enthusiasts in Canada.