Canada’s Online Gambling Landscape
The indigenous people of the First Nations in Canada engaged in stick gambling and dice games, but as European settlers came in, activities like card games began to emerge. New gambling reforms were introduced in the 1970s, including the legal gambling age. However, government-issued licences were expensive, and this increased the cost of casinos’ services such that only the wealthy could afford them.
Online gambling opened the doors for more people to join in the 1990s as the internet became more accessible. Up to 64% of Canadians now participate in some form of gambling, including lotteries and casinos. Provincial governments are charged with regulating gambling within their borders.
Apart from the historical acceptance of gambling as part of Canadian culture, the country’s proximity to the US has played a crucial role. Canada is also a technology-driven country with high internet usage, and this has contributed to the spread of online gambling.