Online casinos are popping up everywhere, growing by a 70% popularity margin in the last two years. Canada is one of the countries driving this growth. According to Statistics Canada, 65% of Canadians over the legal gambling age will place bets in an online casino in the next year. Furthermore, over 25% of the country participates weekly in some type of online gambling. There are over 100 online casinos that accept Canadian gamblers, so just what is driving this popularity in online casinos in Canada?
Online casino popularity in Canada
Canada has embraced online casino games so wholeheartedly that it is ranked as one of the top online gambling countries in the world. The mild government regulations imposed on the online casino industry in Canada seem to have only increased its popularity. Statistics Canada predicts that 65% of the Canadian population above the legal gambling age will place a bet in an online casino in the next year. That’s a lot of bets!
Part of the recent growth in online gambling may be due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. People are home more than ever before, finding themselves bored and looking for entertainment.
The popularity of online casinos is also driven by the sheer number of game options. There is a greater variety of games than brick-and-mortar casinos, making them a better option for Canadian players. There are variations in video poker, slots, blackjack, sports betting, and even the ability to play live dealer games. There is some question as to the legalities of online sports betting in Canada, but this hasn’t stopped gamblers from wagering over $15 billion on sports events.
Online casinos are popular in Canada as they provide a safe way to enjoy a real gambling experience from the comfort of your home and mobile, on-the-go access. As the industry grows, online gambling sites become more user-friendly, offer more rewards, and grow bigger than ever before.
Advantages of online casinos for Canadian players
Online casinos have gained popularity at a high rate in Canada because there are advantages for Canadian players.
One great thing is you can play online casino games from laptop computers, desk computers and even smartphones and tablets. You can play on your lunch break, while you are waiting in the line to pick the kids up from school, and while you are at home.
Online casinos give you the freedom to play when it is convenient for you and is not restricting like it is when you drive to a brick-and-mortar casino and go inside to play.
When you play at the online casino you do not have to hire a sitter to watch your kids, you do not have to drive anywhere, you can play in your PJs, and you are safe and secure in your own home. You decide when to play, where to play, and how much you want to deposit into your casino account. You are in control.
Less intimidating
New players aren’t intimidated by online casinos the way they might be in a land-based casino. They can learn at their own pace from the comfort of their home.
A large number of online casinos offer beginner plans that allow the new players to not have to risk as much of their money while they are getting the hang of playing the games. Many of them even give the new player an opportunity to play and not risk any of their money until they feel sure that they understand how the game is played.
When you play the trial games you more than likely will not be able to cash in your winnings but it does give you a chance to get familiar with how the game operates and how to make bets. It is recommended that you play on the trial mode of the games until you are confident in how to play.
Safety
Today’s online casinos offer superior protection for players. This protection extends to confidential player information, transaction security, and the fairness of the games themselves.
One way to make certain that your financial information stays safe while you play in online casinos is to obtain a prepaid credit card to use on these sites. The prepaid card will not allow you to spend more than the amount you have decided is safe for you to lose.
The prepaid card will not be linked to your main bank account so if the information concerning the card was to accidentally get into the wrong hands the only money that could be gotten is the amount you have deposited on it. Your primary finances like the money you use to pay your bills will be protected and can never be accidentally touched.
Online bonuses
Most online gambling sites offer sign-up bonuses, player bonuses, and rewards to encourage and sustain gameplay. Many of them are free to start and allow you to play without real money, using bonus bucks or online coin systems.
The bonuses and rewards systems make the games more interesting, and exciting. They often increase the amount of money you can win and that makes playing more rewarding if you do win.
Socialization
While you might not think of online gambling as a social activity (after all, you don’t even leave your couch), there is a community created within these sites. Online chat rooms and live dealer games allow you to play and interact with other players in real-time, simulating the environment of a live casino.
Playing online is stimulating but you will find the gameplay more rewarding if you do chat with other players. Talking with other players can make you smile and make you feel like you are actually at the casino.
You can often discover other games to try by talking in chat rooms with other players. Players can recommend games they like and tell you why they like them. You will find that the other players can also recommend different online casinos to try and tell you which casinos you want to avoid.
Things to know as a Canadian player in online casinos
Safety and legality
Online casinos are required to obtain a license to operate, much like any other casino. It is both legal and safe in Canada and governed under federal gambling laws. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) registers and licenses online casinos to ensure all player and payment information is kept confidential.
You should never play in an online casino that is not operating on a licensed site. Unlicensed sites are not regulated and the KGC cannot make sure that they are playing fairly. There are other concerns with an unlicensed site, such as:
- Your financial data may not be secure
- Your personal information like name, address, etc, could be used by an unscrupulous person to steal your identity
Make certain that any online gaming casino you decide to play with has SSL encryption. This will help assure you that your information is being protected and your privacy is a priority to the casino operators.
User reviews
Taking a look at user reviews is a great way to determine the quality of any online gambling site. There are many reviews available online. The more popular a particular casino is, the more you are likely to find. You will also be able to find any user complaints and gauge the quality of security, privacy, services, and gameplay offered.
You need to remember that when you read reviews they are personal opinions, and sometimes they are paid reviews. When you read a review be sure that you read several of them. Look to see if any of the reviewers are impressed by the same thing, like the ease of play, big winnings, and such.
Reviews that are detailed are more likely to be written by actual players. Be sure that you read the bad reviews and the good reviews. Try to read between the lines and understand whether the bad reviews are just the result of someone being upset because they did not win. If you find several bad reviews that all mention the same thing then it is time to pay attention to the problem they are discussing.
Payment options
Before committing your money to an online casino, it’s important to understand the payment options available. Online casinos strive to give their users the best variety in payment options and pay-out times. This also means they offer payment methods that require very little of your personal information to be collected.
Dos and Don’ts of Online Casino Play
There are a few suggestions that practiced players offered to share so you can have more fun and more success:
- Read the rules of the game before you place a bet. Do not just scroll past the rules and hit I accept
- You will not lose every time you play and you will not win every time you play
- Never give out personal information in a chat room
Conclusion
The popularity of online casinos in Canada is indisputable. There are many benefits to Canadian gamblers that make online gambling so popular. Thanks to new innovations in gaming, security, and privacy from online casinos, Canadians can continue to enjoy their favorite games from home.