In Canada, the topic of online casinos has recently become a noteworthy issue. A lot of people are debating different aspects of the industry, and many are arguing in favor or against the legalization of online gambling. Which has led to an overall discussion about whether online gambling should be legal in the country in the first place. In this article, we would like to share the facts about online gambling in Canada, and explain whether it is legal to engage in the market.
Are Online Casinos Legal?
The answer may not be as simple as you would expect. We could say that online casinos are illegal in most of Canada, because according to Canadian law, one cannot operate a gambling site in the country. However, that does not tell the whole story.
For example, it ignores the fact that the Canadian law does not prohibit gambling online. Canadians are perfectly free to visit offshore online casino Canada websites and play some of their favorite games like slots, blackjack, and baccarat.
Not only that, but for the most part the legalization of online casinos is a provincial matter. In other words, individual Canadian provinces have the right to decide whether they want online gambling legal or not. Which is why online gambling is actually legal in Ontario.
Ontario’s iGaming Market
On April 4, 2022, Ontario officially legalized online gambling, and launched the iGaming Ontario commission. The iGO works in tandem with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to ensure that the Ontarian iGaming market is up to par and safe.
It is their job to review and online casinos that operates within Ontario’s borders, and they often may review offshore ones, and make sure that they are safe enough to be played in Canada. Since the legalization of iGaming, Ontario has seen an economic boon.
The Benefits of a Legal Industry
Ontario’s success in the realm of iGaming has caused a major discussion about the legalization of iGaming. A lot of people who were on the fence before are now fully in favor. Of course, they’ve brought forth a couple of arguments, and we thought it would be beneficial to look them over.
- Economic: there is an economic argument in favor of legalizing iGaming. The economy of Ontario has seen a major boon thanks to legalizing iGaming. Not only is the industry producing money, but also positions of employment.
- Safety: the argument here is that people will be gambling online no matter what. As we saw from the American prohibition, banning a good or service does not work. So, why not regulate it as much as possible, and ensure that it is as safe as it can be.
- Freedom: finally, there is the argument that people should be allowed to make any choice they want. For the most part, gamblers are aware of the risk they are taking when they gamble. However, it is a risk they are willing to take, and many argue they should be allowed to do so.
