How Popular is iGaming in Canada?

By  //  July 27, 2021

Though the land-based gambling facilities in Canada have seen a sharp decline in the number of players and consequently in revenue, the iGaming industry still has intact pillars to stand on.

An Overview of the iGaming Industry in Canada

The estimated annual revenue for the Canadian iGaming industry is about $31 billion and the predicted figure for the coming years is even higher. Canada contributes significantly to the revenue of the global gambling industry which is predicted to surpass $500 billion by the year 2023. 

Research suggests that the popularity of online gambling in Canada has considerably increased from the past couple of years. In fact, Canada makes it to the list of countries that top in the iGaming industry. This is attributed to both relaxed laws regarding gambling in the country, advancement of technology, and decline in the number of players opting to play in physical casinos.

There was a time when Canadian authorities did not allow online gambling platforms to operate in the country. However, the laws regarding gambling have been moderated to an extent that online casinos in Canada operate with more freedom than their counterparts in the United States. 

The number of Canadians who are opting for iGaming instead of traditional gambling is increasing at an impressive pace. This is mostly because of the convenience to play from the comfort of home and the variety of games that online casinos offer. 

Online Casinos in Canada 

In recent years, online casinos have become quite popular in Canada. There are over hundred online casinos that accept Canadian players which show how greatly iGaming has been accepted across the country. 

Canada is in the vanguard of the global iGaming industry. It is predicted by Statistics Canada that over 65% of the Canadian population above the legal gambling age will engage in iGaming in the coming year. This seems to be a very competitive figure. Canada is highly likely to supersede countries like Australia and the United Kingdom in the global iGaming industry. 

Online casinos in Canada are offering innumerable varieties of games to players. From video poker and blackjack to sports betting and lotteries, players are enthusiastically engaging in online gambling. Lotteries, for one, demonstrate how popular online gambling has become in Canada as 25% of the Canadian population participates in some type of online lottery game every week. 

Though online sports betting is not deemed completely legal in Canada, it turns out that over $15 billion dollars are wagered on sports events. This has pushed the federal government to consider legalization of online sports betting. 

Many casino businesses in Canada are also shifting to the online space to save money as the recent pandemic hit their businesses and revenues hard. During the pandemic, more than half of the gambling population in Canada shifted to iGaming due to boredom. Casino businesses are leveraging the opportunity to save operational expenses that come with running a land-based casino. 

The number of online casinos in Canada are going to increase in the coming years as Canadian iGaming is becoming more and more innovative by the day. The increased user-friendliness, high bonuses, better incentives, variety in games, and secure ways of betting are going to take Canada to the zenith of iGaming. 

Legality and Safety 

iGaming in Canada is extremely safe and secure. The legality and safety of iGaming is guaranteed under federal laws. However, this varies depending on the state and local laws of the place you are placing your bets from.

Therefore, you should check with your state laws before engaging in any kind of iGaming activity. Legal online casinos use the latest SSL Encryption to ensure the safety of your personal data and offer protection against any kind of fraudulent activity. Your safety is guaranteed if you are playing on sites licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC).