Canadian Gambling Revenues are Set to Grow

The Increasing Popularity of Gambling in Canada

In Canada, as with many other countries, online and real world gambling is on the increase. And the future holds interesting possibilities, from more relaxed legislation to technological advancements such as virtual reality headsets.

The Rise of Gambling in Canada

The rise of gambling in both the online and real world environments has happened to a greater or lesser extent almost everywhere in recent years. The first legal online casino in Canada was launched in 2004, and a few years later a survey indicated a meagre 2.3% of Canadians reported gambling online. Fast forward to 2019, and Statistics Canada (the nation’s official statistics agency) has reported a continuing upward trend in gambling industries.

From May to September 2019, Statistics Canada indicated a rise in the GDP value of gambling industries from $2.51bn to $2.65bn, rising almost every month (apart from a decline from July to August). On top of this, more than 45,000 Canadians are employed in the gambling industry, according to the 2016 census.

Offshore and Domestic Casinos

Canadians have a choice between using offshore or domestic casinos when playing online. Both are entirely legal, with particular pros and cons. Domestic sites are governed by Canadian law, and pay tax in Canada, which may be reassuring. And if they have a sports betting side then they’re far likelier to have more markets on the sports preferred by Canadians.

However, offshore betting sites do offer far more variety. On top of this, those betting at a site in the UK, for example, that offers a Canadian sports market might have far more insight than the bookie and a better chance of finishing ahead. This breadth of online offering has helped to drive betting behaviour in Canada (and elsewhere).

With the ongoing rise of gambling in Canada, it's no surprise that the online casino industry is fiercely competitive. Gamblers can often enjoy special promotions, and no deposit casinos for North American players offer the opportunity to play slots and/or table games for cash prizes without risking a penny of their own money. With all the excitement and none of the losses of normal betting, it’s a smart way to gamble.

Canadian Provincial Law

There was a law passed in Quebec in 2016 blocking online gambling providers not licensed by Loto-Quebec. After two years of bickering, the measure was dropped as it was unconstitutional (the matter being federal in nature) and residents of Quebec were free to bet at offshore casinos once again. Other provinces are more strict or relaxed to varying degrees when it comes to casinos.

Prince Edward Island has only one casino, as does New Brunswick. By contrast, Alberta and Ontario have dozens, providing far more opportunities to gamble in person.

Other forms of gambling, such as lotteries and sports betting, are generally more accepted and accessible in the various provinces.

Across the country betting online is legal.

Rendering: Durham Live

New Casinos in Canada

Whilst the rise of gambling can naturally lead minds straight to the world of online casinos, it’s worth remembering the brick-and-mortar establishments too. There are grand plans for a substantial new development in Pickering, Ontario, dubbed as a ‘mini Las Vegas’.

The development will include two hotels, a concert venue, a convention centre, and a casino. The aspiration is for the site to become the beating heart of entertainment east of Toronto, and a leading attraction for tourists in Ontario. Construction on the casino began in the first half of 2019, with a planned opening in 2020.

That isn’t to say that online gambling isn’t leading the way. It offers unprecedented access and convenience, particularly with mobile platforms now allowing phones and tablet devices to reach casinos. Online betting is particularly attractive for those who aren’t in big cities, where construction of casinos makes sense for bringing in as many gamblers and tourists as possible. Those in smaller cities, towns, and villages can now use online betting to access casino services without the prohibitively long travel times that might otherwise be necessary.

Another challenge faced by physical casinos can be local opposition. In 2013, Toronto’s proposed Oxford Place project was put on hold, stalling a potential new retail mall. The casino, that was to be part of Oxford Place, was deemed to be critical to its success, but the City of Toronto voted against allowing a casino on the premises. The project would have been a million square feet, and have had substantial space for both tenants and a large retail centre.

Oxford Place. Rendering: Oxford Properties Group

The Future

There are several ways that gambling may continue to advance in Canada. In legislative terms, there seems to be a global trend towards more relaxed gambling laws, encouraging more establishments in both the real and online worlds to spring up. Another exciting possibility is the progress in VR.

Just as mobile communications were once the sole preserve of science fiction such as Star Trek, VR has long caught the public’s collective imagination. Recent developments have seen the introduction of VR headsets into videogames, but there are many other potential applications. From new angles for sports fans to watch their favourite team to training surgeons and astronauts, the huge scope for VR means that it could increase in popularity rapidly. And, if it does, the eagerness of casinos to embrace new technology such as smartphones and cryptocurrency makes it near certain the same will happen with VR.

If face-scanning technology also becomes accessible (a little less likely, but the huge videogames industry could see this developed for consoles and PC gaming) then avatars could become accurate representations of individual gamblers, making the online casino experience more immersive than ever.