Why Ontario Became the Hottest Online Casino Market in North America

Canada has a long history of online casinos and gambling in general. As one of the earliest bambling-friendly regions, it has changed and evolved into a place that features a colorful casino scene due to its rules and regulations.

As Canada is divided into provinces the trends as well as the laws can largely vary depending on where you are. This also explains why certain regions have a more advanced casino culture while others lag behind.

This allows for individual regions to develop their own casino cultures. Ontario is unique among them since it’s been able to capture many players and become a hotspot with its vibrant online casino selections.

The Beginnings of Canadian Gambling

Only the privileged had access to gambling in Canada's early years. In 1892, Canada's first casino opened its doors in Niagara Falls, but only those who could afford the high membership fee were allowed in. 

The Quebec Club in Montreal became Canada's first legal gambling establishment when it opened to the public in 1894. Gambling was also popular among the upper class in Ottawa, with the inauguration of the Rideau Club in 1898.

The general population didn't have easier access to gambling until the early 20th century. In 1910, Québec launched Canada's first government-run lottery, and soon after, other provinces did the same. 

The 19th Century – Licenses are Introduced

In Canada, the 1970s were a period of transition. A new age of gambling in the nation began with the introduction of gaming and casino licenses. 

Many people were happy with this because it meant they could finally engage in their favorite activity without fear of legal repercussions. But this new system also had several disadvantages that made getting a license a costly and difficult endeavour.

The licenses were expensive, this implied that gambling at the casinos was solely accessible to the wealthy. 

This led to a two-tiered society in which the impoverished were forced to limit their gambling to illegal establishments while the wealthy were allowed to play.

Only a select group of people were granted the licenses. Due to intense competition, only the most profitable gamblers were able to obtain licenses. People attempted to sway the decision-makers to grant a license, which resulted in widespread corruption.

The 2000’s – The Rise of Online Gambling

With more and more individuals turning to the internet to wager on their favorite games, online gambling and online casinos have become extremely popular in Canada in recent years.

The expansion of internet gambling has been especially noticeable in Canada. More than 4 million Canadians gambled online in 2015, up from just over 2 million in 2001, according to a survey by the Canadian Gambling Association. In just over ten years, this amounts to an approximately 100% growth.

These are few of the most frequented online casinos today and what they have on offer:

Online casinos have made steps to ensure that they evolve with the shifting preferences of players but with the ever-evolving nature of technology, it is becoming a real challenge.

Who Gambles in Canada Today?

Online casinos have become more popular in recent years. The closing of land-based casinos during the pandemic accelerated this change. Sixty percent of Canadians say they spend some money each month on gambling and games.

While we have witnessed a general increase in people who visit casinos, it is important to understand the socio-economic make-up of these people in order to better understand the trends that dominate Ontario and other provinces.

Variations Between Age Groups

Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 are less likely to gamble than those between the ages of 35 and 54. Compared to 36% of those in the older age group, 45% of those between the ages of 18 and 34 said they never spend money on gaming.

With 45% of older gamblers reporting monthly gaming expenditures between $1 and $20, older gamblers are also more likely to spend more. Once more, the group of top spenders is not very diverse. 4% of adults over 55 and 3% of those between the ages of 18 and 54 spend more than $100 on gaming each month.

Men are The Bigger Players

With 69% of men and 60% of women admitting they spend some money on gaming each month, males are marginally more likely than women to bet.

44% of women are more likely than 41% to spend $1–$20 a month on gambling. Nonetheless, men are more likely than women to spend up to $100 a month (18% vs. 10%). Three percent of persons in both sexes spend more than $100.

What Does The Future Hold for Ontario?

In Canada, gambling is undoubtedly a well-liked leisure activity. Every year, Canadians spend billions of dollars on internet gambling, casino games, and lottery tickets. And its popularity is just growing.

 A recent assessment by the Canadian Gaming Association estimates that the gaming business in Canada is valued at $17 billion.

This popularity is probably due to the fact that gambling is a simple and enjoyable way to earn real money. However, it's also a risky business that could end in financial catastrophe.