As is the case with the rest of the world, the online casino gambling industry in Canada has grown significantly over the last several years. Living in this country comes with its fair share of benefits as it is one of the most sought-after destinations for immigrants. The high standard of living, the breathtaking nature, and the fact that it is not overly populated for such a massive area are all benefits that make it one of the best in the world. The fact that a thriving online industry is also flourishing only makes things better, both for the locals and those thinking about visiting or moving there.
Driven by technological advancements attitudes are changing regarding accessing casinos from home and on the go. Using your home computer, mobile phone, or tablet to play your favourite casino games and bet on sports is a big trend right now and the markets are being more and more regulated. Provinces like Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario operate their own government-regulated online gambling platforms, and other provinces are also making strides with offshore sites. So if you are a fan of online poker or roulette, or want to place some football bets on Portuguese football for example, doing it in Canada is more than possible.
Ongoing trends in Canada’s online gambling
Visiting online casinos while living in Canada is very commonplace these days. Millions of users do it and it is one of the more favourite new hobbies, both for young adults and the middle-aged. One of the biggest sides of this new phenomenon is the popularity of cryptocurrency casinos. A crypto casino, as the name suggests, is a platform where players can use digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others for betting. It is gaining traction in Canada, although there is still room for growth. Still in its early stages and considered niche when compared to traditional online casinos, it has many benefits, and Canadians love it.
First of all, there is the privacy and anonymity factor. Players are drawn to crypto casinos because of a higher level of privacy and anonymity when compared to traditional casinos. Transactions they make for withdrawals and deposits are on the blockchain which does not require the users to provide personal and financial info. If you value your confidentiality, and most Canadians do, you opt for a crypto casino every time. The aforementioned transactions are faster, on top of being more secure, and deposit and withdrawal times cannot be compared to regular banking methods. This is particularly appealing to those who do not like credit card and bank transfer delays.
Another big advantage of cryptocurrency and why Canadians should think about using it for their sports betting and gambling is the global accessibility. As digital currencies are not bound by national borders, Canadian players can access crypto casinos from any location regardless of the regulatory environment in their country. This is a huge deal for those not bothered by traditional norms and ways of doing things and want to become more free. Then there are bonuses and promotions as crypto casinos offer special incentives for players who opt to fund their gambling and receive their winnings with crypto.
General trends when living and gambling in Canada
Since it is a growing market, playing casino games and sports betting online in Canada is expanding at a nice pace. Millions of Canadians participate in it and the growth has to deal with better internet access, mobile gaming and ingenious apps, and an increase in the number of licensed online platforms that offer a lot of games. Slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette are all popular, and wagering on the outcome of sports leagues is also popular.
Of course, provincial regulations do exist and each province in Canada is responsible for its laws. Some of them are more involved and are actively trying to become a part of it, while others permit licensed operators from outside of the country to come in and offer their services to Canadians. Ontario, as the largest province, has a regulated online gambling market that allows third-party operators to apply for licenses. This has increased competition and choices for the average Canadian gambling enthusiast. Both crypto casinos and traditional platforms are far better off.
Of course, it is mobile gaming and gambling that is driving this new shift forward. Most people in Canada are turning to mobile platforms for their online casino needs. It is more convenient, efficient, and faster to do so due to how great smartphones and tablets are. Mobile casino apps and websites are an integral part of the online gambling experience, and it is largely the same in the northernmost country of the Americas. If you would like to try it out, the best way to do so right now would be on your mobile device.
Sports betting and cryptocurrencies in Canada
Casino gambling’s cousin, betting on sports, is another big deal in Canada right now. Living there allows you to enjoy some of the newest and most regulated types of wagering on the outcomes of major sports events. The country is becoming an increasingly popular option for bettors who enjoy crypto over fiat currencies, too. There has been a lot of growth in this market, especially after the legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021. Crypto then added a new layer of appeal because of its speed, security, and privacy.
Speaking of the crucial 2021 law, single-event betting was legalized to allow players to bet more freely. Parlays, i.e. multiple outcomes, were the only way to do so before. Now, Canadians can place bets on individual events like specific trams to win, which is the best kind there is. It is now a more flexible and exciting betting environment. If you are a fan of Portuguese football and love to wager on whether Porto, Benfica, or Sporting will win their games, now you can do it every weekend. Be sure to do so this weekend as the final matches of 2024 take place.
Sports betting in Canada is regulated at the provincial level, just like casinos. Most of them have their own governing bodies and betting platforms, ProLine+ is in Ontario, PlayNow is in British Columbia, and Loto-Quebec is in Quebec. Still, offshore sites tend to be more popular with players who prefer crypto betting and a wider selection. International sites have more extensive betting options and different types of cryptocurrencies for depositing and withdrawing money. Like with casinos, faster transactions, privacy, anonymity, and the decentralized nature of cryptos and the blockchain are too good to miss.
The most popular cryptos used in sports betting are of course Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Certain platforms also accept Bitcoin Cash and Dogecoin, to name a few of the more popular alternatives. BTC is by far the most popular and everything revolves around it. Sportsbooks have embraced digital currencies and allow bettors to fully use them across the board. Traditional sports betting options they bring are association football (soccer), American football, basketball, hockey, and fighting sports. More niche sports and esports are also widely available and immensely popular, particularly among youngsters.
The future of crypto gambling and betting in Canada
On a wider level, it is good that the country is adopting cryptocurrency into its gambling and betting industry. They are actively allowing people what they want and making it easier to use BTC, ETH, and the rest of virtual currencies in this expanding online industry. The growth potential is immense and both casino gambling and sports betting in Canada are likely to continue as their popularity soars and as more and more people decide to join in on the fun. As the market matures further, more Canadian sportsbooks could begin to integrate cryptos as standard payment methods.
Eventually, there will be some initial integration with the provincial sportsbooks and platforms that are the most regulated. When or if they start to accept cryptos as viable payments, it could bring about a revolution in how governments of the Western world view digital currencies. As the Canadian government adapts to the ever-evolving landscape of digital currency use and blockchain technology in an increasing number of entertainment branches, we may see clearer and stronger guidelines in the next few years. Perhaps a more widespread adoption of crypto sports betting is the future, as well as online casinos that only accept this form of payment and no longer rely on fiat currencies.
