Canada’s New Regulated Gaming Market
Online Sports betting, Casino and Poker are all set to become resurgent gambling options for players in a newly regulated Canadian market in the coming 12 months.
Much like the game-changing repeal of PASPA in the US in 2018, the passing of Private Members Bill C-218 through the Canadian parliament in summer 2021 has paved the way for private operators to start taking bets from Canadian citizens.
That means, if you are reading this in Canada then you will soon have a choice of both offshore and Canada-licensed poker and casino tables, and your life will be all the better for it! Indeed, over the coming months we can expect a whole raft of gambling brands to launch in the Canadian space. As the choice expands, here are some tips for our Canadian readers to get the most from this exciting new dawn. You can use the following link to pick up a list of the latest new online casinos every month.
Look for Sites Licensed From Canada
The main advantage of a regulated market for Canadian gamblers will be playing on casino games and poker tables run by operators who are licensed within their own country. That means the Provincial government of the town or city where you are resident will be setting the rules, protecting your interests as a consumer, and taking taxes from the business you are spending your money with.
Compare that with playing at an offshore site licensed in one of the jurisdictions in Europe or central America and the difference is marked. Any operator wishing to retain their license to take bets within Canada will have to adhere to the strict licensing codes laid out by provincial regulators, and their stated aim is to make gaming fair, safe and secure. And in the event of a dispute you will typically have recourse to a regulator like the newly appointed Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario who will fine or banish any operator who runs rigged games, sets unfair promotional terms, withholds withdrawals or compromises customer data in any way.
All this creates a safer space in which to gamble. So, going forward we recommend avoiding casinos licensed offshore.
Shop Around For Some High Value Bonus Offers
One thing is for sure, as more operators sign up to become licensed under Canadian regulation there will be a surge in competitive welcome bonus packages for new customers as casinos and poker rooms fight to win your custom over. This is a great opportunity to enjoy some great value gambling with free spins, free rolls and match bonuses galore. So browse around, dip in to a few different casinos run by a few different operators and take advantage of what’s available. Typically you should see bonuses well in excess of $1,000 and often tiered over two or three deposits.
And remember that over time it is likely that the initial rush of high value match bonuses will drop off as operators seek to reign-in costs and focus on retaining their new customer base. In short, pick up the good deals while you can.
Enjoy a Better Variety of Games
Currently the regulated market in Canada is restricted to a very few casino and betting sites run by the Provincial governments themselves. These include the PlayNow.com gambling portal run by the British Colombia Lottery Corporation which offer a popular, but small, selection of casino table games and slots. As the big hitters move in on new licenses expect them to bring with them a far greater product portfolio and a better understanding of what makes gamblers tick.
Those who have made their name in the highly competitive European markets like the UK and Sweden will bring expertise with them and partnerships with all the best game providers. So newly licensed brands in Canada will have the full Megaways™ slots suite, Evolution live tables, blockbuster movie slots and huge progressive jackpots to strive for.
Canada’s new regulated market will mean more choice and better games so don’t miss out.
Take the VIP Treatment
Finally, it’s worth remembering that our new gambling brands are all sure to offer a real high roller experience to their VIP players. So, if you are a big spending gambler then make sure you browse through the VIP program pages on any site before you sign up. Typically this will mean exclusive bonus packages, including enhanced offers around your birthday, first access to new slots and table games when they launch, and entry to exclusive poker tournaments for those with the spending-power to compete.
In summary, the future looks bright for Canadian gamblers with the first new casinos with local licensing expected to open in 2022. Make sure you don’t miss out what promises to be an exciting year for those who want to spend their dollars on gambling.
