Online Casino Laws and the Confusion in Canada
Casino laws in Canada used to be strict with just limited forms of gaming permitted. Thanks to major changes to the country’s legislation in the 1970s, individual provinces were awarded the authority to license and regulate gaming within their own region. In turn, this led to several land-based casinos being launched, and some states even started their own lotteries – many of which are still going today. However, things get a little more complex when it comes to online casino laws in the country.
There are some provinces that run their very own online casinos along with government-approved outlets where you can wager online. Overall, it is legal for Canadians to use these sites and buy lottery tickets online.
Since betting online for real money is a particularly favourite pastime in Canada, Canucks probably aren’t too worried about the laws if they’re simply enjoying playing online slots, bingo, poker and blackjack or any other casino favourites.
What’s more, as technology continues to advance, more and more new and innovative games will pop up. There are even slots that make use of Virtual Reality technology, making the experience even more enthralling then before. Some sites offer hundreds of games and you can create a new player account for free and take advantage of great bonuses and promotions to boost your bankroll.
But, before you sign up, make sure you understand the laws.
Online Casino Laws and Grey Areas in Canada
The law in Canada goes like this: to legally offer online slots and other casino games to Canadians, the casino operator must be proved by the government and must be a licensed entity.
Grey areas start to appear when casinos based in and operating from other countries allow Canadians to play on their platforms. There’s confusion over that since it might appear to be against Canadian law. However, if the casino is based in a location where online gaming is legal, Canadian laws then apply and it is legal for you to play.
The UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority and Kahnawake Gaming Commission are just three of the regulators that do back casinos that permit Canadians to enjoy gaming, and most reputable and trustworthy providers are registered with one of the authorities.
Some argue that it is generally safer to play on one of these sites to remain in line with Canadian laws. However, there is currently no governing body to monitor casinos or complain to should you run into any issues. Complaints rarely happen and most people, be they from Canada or anywhere else in the world, still enjoy hours of great entertainment and the chance to make some serious money.
Could the Laws Change?
Since online casinos are so popular in Canada, something may need to be done to legalise the situation. Reports often tell us that the government is considering introducing the necessary changes for online gaming. While nothing has been done yet, watch this space!
