LivescoreCanadian Gambling Laws for the Online Casino Player
According to research around 65% of legally adult Canadians will gamble online at least once a year. It is also worth mentioning that almost a fourth of Canada’s population participates in some sort of gambling activity on a weekly basis. In other words, online gambling is quite a popular hobby in Canada, and Canadian land-based casinos are some of the most beautiful entertainment hubs in the world.
Canada and Online Casinos
There is an interesting thing that needs to be mentioned as far as online gambling goes. There are many sites that players can access but not all of them offer casino games. In fact, users that play and claim the top casino bonus Canada sites offer, are playing on platforms that are based in foraging countries. Of course, these sites are fully optimized for Canada and allow users to use their native currency. Additionally, this is perfectly legal, and you can still claim any winnings.
But, the fact remains that any revenue these sites generate does not go towards supporting the local economy. So, let’s explain why this is so, what are the gambling laws that are currently active here, and how they affect online casino sites.
Gambling Laws in Canada
This is a country with a complex history of gambling, which isn’t too surprising as this is a controversial topic all over the world. As a result, the activity of gambling was going back and forth between being legal and illegal. It was first made illegal in 1892, but in the early 20th-century bingo and similar games were made legal. Just several years later, betting on horse races became legal as well. During the mid-80s’ gambling machines were legalized, and it was clear that the country had a better grasp when it came to regulating these activities.
Gaming Commission for Online Activity
There is a regulatory body that issues licenses for web-based gambling in Canada and it is called The Kahnawake Gaming Commission. It basically needs to do due diligence on online gambling sites and poker rooms to see if they are complying with the regulations and grant them operating licenses.
Legal Situation
It is currently legal to have an online sports betting business in Canada. Additionally, the types of bets that you offer need to comply with Canadian laws, and single event bets were made legal recently. It is illegal to maintain an online casino business, but the act of online casino gaming is perfectly legal. That being said, each province can handle its online gambling laws individually. In fact, there is an instance when permission for an online casino site was granted. Kahnawake Mohawk Nation was allowed to create such a platform and the decision was criticized by the Attorney General, as the business is regarded as illegal under the country’s gambling laws. However, no other action was taken against the site.
To this day the government is still not taking any steps to make online casinos legal, in spite of the growing demand for this form of entertainment. But the Criminal Code was amended and it does grant foreigners a chance to receive a necessary license. As a result, there are platforms that operate in certain provinces or regions of Canada, where the demand for online casino games is high. Anyone who does this without a license is prosecuted in accordance with the law. Additionally, there are certain licenses that are accepted by the Canadian regulators, which is why you mostly see casinos from Malta, Curacao, and the UK.
Some of these operators even found a loophole that allows them to be non taxable by the government. Basically, if they are in a state where online casinos are legal then they are not required to abide by Canada’s gambling laws. So right now, the country is trying to make this activity safer for players and operators as well.
Conclusion
If you like to play online slots or other games then you don’t really need to concern yourself with this stuff. The act is completely legal and you are entitled to your winnings. All you need to worry about is being responsible with your money, and not gambling it recklessly. Although there is little indication that the legal situation will change, it is not completely outside of the realm of possibilities. Many countries around the world have made this activity legal, and it’s clear that Canada does have what it takes to regulate it.
This is also one of the most liberal places to live, so some provinces might reconsider their decision. However, Las Vegas is in a similar situation as the majority of its economy depends on land-based casinos. Making online gambling fully legal might interfere with that, so it’s understandable if the state protects its assets and economic stability.