Canada has long enjoyed a fruitful relationship with gambling. From the clandestine casinos of the early 20th century to the glitz and glamour of modern-day establishments, there’s something about the thrill of a flutter which has consistently drawn Canadians towards the practice in large numbers. Today, it’s estimated that between 76% and 79% of the population enjoy gambling in some form or another.
Of course, the advent of online casinos at the end of the 20th century revolutionised the entire industry, making it far easier for patrons to play their favourite games remotely – including from the comfort of their own home. That development has only seen the popularity of the pastime increase further… but how exactly did this industry unfold? Here’s a closer look at the evolution of the online gambling market in Canada over the last quarter of a century.
Humble beginnings
The history of online gambling in a global context stretches back to 1994, when the tiny Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda introduced the first legislation regulating the online industry. Two years later, the first online casino was born in the shape of InterCasino, which accepted its first money wager in 1996 and has since generated billions of dollars worth of revenue.
1996 was also the year that witnessed the establishment of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which was the first of its kind in Canada. As such, it’s clear that Canada expressed a liberal approach towards the practice from the outset, which goes some way to explaining the widespread popularity of the pastime today.
That’s especially true when placed in context alongside its southern neighbour, the United States of America. Unlike Canada, the US has held a somewhat suspicious attitude towards gambling in general and online gambling in particular, with the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act the pinnacle of its hostility. It’s only in recent years that individual states have begun to open up to the idea.
Canadian sector goes from strength to strength
By contrast, the Canadian gambling industry has had plenty of time to flourish and today, interested parties do not have to search very high or wide to find an online casino for Canadians that can satisfy their needs. In recent years, a plethora of sites have sprung up to cater to the ballooning demand for online gambling services in all regions of the country.
Indeed, the stats back up that supposition. Research conducted by affiliate marketing agency AffiliateINSIDER found that the average Canadian spends over $820 per year on gambling, which is a higher figure than either the USA or the UK. That’s particularly impressive, given that the latter is regarded as one of the pioneers and pacesetters of the online gambling world.
So what does the future hold for the Canadian online gambling sector? Well, with exciting new innovations like live casino gaming, cryptocurrency payments and both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) touted to play ever-increasing roles in the market, it’s likely that online gambling will only continue on its upward trajectory in the coming months and years. Those keen to find out more are advised to watch this space for further developments in the imminent future.
Gambling is a pastime that’s almost as old as history itself – and it’s always enjoyed a special place in the hearts and minds of Canadians. That’s also true with regard to the online gambling sector, as is demonstrated by the development of the industry over the years. What will the future bring? Only time will tell… but it’s likely to be exciting.
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