Why more Canadians are Opting to play Casino Games online

The people of Canada really do enjoy playing casino games, with reports showing that at least 19.3 million people in the country participate in some form of gambling activity each year. A number of factors have contributed to the rise of casino gaming, including availability, game choice and legislative changes.

Let’s take a more in depth look at the current casino gaming landscape in Canada and the reasons behind the industry’s growing popularity:

What are the rules around gambling in online casinos in Canada?

In Canada, both land based, and online casinos are able to operate in the country providing that they have the correct license to legally do so. Any winnings made by players are not taxable, as long as the player is considered to be playing recreationally and not as a form of employment.

Many online casino players choose to play on offshore casino sites, given that there is not yet a huge amount of choice in Canadian based casinos. However, this selection is growing as demand for casino games increases.

Reasons why playing casino games online is so popular…

There are a vast range of casinos sites to choose from

One reason that more Canadians are opting to play casino games online is the sheer amount of choice in both casino sites and casino game options on the internet. A list of reliable casino sites put together by Casinosource.ca, allows players to quickly and easily find casino sites that offer the promotions and games that suit them.

When playing in a land-based casino, there is a more limited selection of games. Casinos are limited by the amount of floor space they have and face higher overhead costs in comparison to their internet-based counterparts.

Due to the competitiveness of the industry, most casino sites now offer generous welcome bonuses and other promotions in order to entice players to their site. These offers give players the chance to try out a range of games without making large initial deposits into their online casino account. 

Land based casinos are usually unable to keep up with such competitive offers. Also, by playing online the player can often start by wagering smaller sums of money if they wish to do so.

Availability of technology and good internet connections

Another reason that a growing number of people are opting to play casino games online is increased access to computers, tablets and smartphone devices. In Canada, 87.6% of the population now own a smartphone device and this figure is expected to continue to grow year on year.

The availability of the internet is also an important factor. Most Canadians now have access to reliable Wi-Fi connections at home. Also, with the continuing rollout of the 5G mobile network, many players can enjoy undisrupted gameplay on their phones wherever they are. This leads us on to our next point…

Playing online is more convenient

Online casino games are a great source of entertainment for people, whether they are at home on the sofa, their daily commute on public transport or even just waiting in line at a coffee shop. By playing online they can fit the activity into the rest of their day, whereas visiting a land-based venue takes more time, planning and expense.

When visiting a land-based venue, the visitor will need to plan their mode of transport, check opening times, dress appropriately and clear some time in their schedule. While a casino makes a great evening out for a special celebration, for regular players playing online is usually far easier.

While online gaming was once more favoured amongst younger generations, all generations are now becoming more tech savvy and enjoying the choice and convenience that the internet has to offer.

So, what types of casino games are most popular?

The most popular online casino games include poker, blackjack, roulette and slots. Slots are very popular with new online players as the rules are very simple, the themes are fun and the games offer very low minimum wagering requirements.

Poker and blackjack are highly popular casino games all around the world, both online and offline. They have been glamourized in film and television through titles such as Casino Royale, Rounders, 21 and the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. 

The future of online casino playing in Canada…

So, what does the future hold for this industry? Well, it is likely that access to affordable technology and good internet connections grows, so too will the number of casino gamers switching to online gameplay. 

Also new innovations such as Virtual Reality (VR) casinos and new applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will bring new casino gaming experiences to the market and attract an even wider audience. Online casinos will continue to be a great source of entertainment for people in Canada and around the world for decades to come.