It is interesting to see how gambling laws have changed and evolved over the years, especially since the rise of online gambling. One country that has a particularly interesting history when it comes to gambling laws is Canada. The laws here can vary depending on what province you are in, so even Canadian residents are often unsure of what is allowed and what is not allowed. With all of this in mind, this article will examine the complex evolution of gambling laws in Canada, looking at how these have changed since the emergence of online gambling in the 90s through to 2023.
The Rise Of Online Gambling
With the internet emerging and growing in popularity in the 90s and early 2000s, it did not take long for online gambling to become popular. While online gambling platforms were a lot more primitive in those days compared to the impressive online experiences you can have nowadays, they still provide the same thrill, so it is easy to see why online gambling took off so quickly and has grown exponentially since.
Regulations
As online gambling became increasingly popular during this time, the legality of this activity was not clearly defined in Canada (as well as in many other countries). The Criminal Code is the primary legal framework that is used to establish gambling laws in Canada, but there was no explicit mention of online gambling in this code as it was written before the emergence of online gambling. Consequently, individual provinces and territories established their own regulations, with areas like Ontario creating their own gambling platforms. However, any offshore gambling organization could be used by residents legally as they are not subjected to Canadian law.
The First Legal Online Gambling Market
Online gambling laws have remained a grey area in Canada for a long time, but the situation has changed recently. Previously, any gambling organization would need to be regulated by the government, but in April 2022, Ontario removed these grey areas from the market by approving several online gambling operators – this also saw the legalization of sports betting in the province. This will provide a regulated market in Ontario, protecting players and generating revenue that can support the province.
This will allow those in Ontario to enjoy thrilling online slot games at places like Jackpotcitycasino.ca without having to worry. Online slots are a hugely popular activity as they are easy to play, there is no skill required, and on this site, there are hundreds to choose from, such as Racing for Pinks or Lord of the Rings themed. Gamblers can easily play online slot games while relaxing at home, on a break from work, on the train, in a coffee shop, or anywhere with an internet connection.
As you can see, the online gambling laws in Canada are complex and have evolved over time. With the rise of the internet and online gambling in the 90s and early 2000s, there were few regulations in place, and this led individual provinces to establish their own regulations that could vary heavily. Nowadays, it seems that the situation is changing, and it is likely that online gambling will be less regulated for those across Canada.