Gambling business in Canada
The gambling business is legal in Canada. The total revenue of the industry is $ 31 billion annually. Compared to 1995, the market volume has increased 3 times. The legal gambling age in Canada is 18 years.
The gambling business employs more than 128,000 people. Revenues in government budgets and various social programs - up to $ 9 billion annually.
The provinces of Canada have spent about $ 110 million to protect players from addiction - this includes research, prevention measures and treatment. The percentage of problem players from each province ranges from 0.7 to 1.4 percent.
Gambling legislation
Gambling is legal in Canada. The Canadian Federal Criminal Code prohibits land and online gambling.
In addition, Canadian provinces can organize and operate a gambling business. This is possible thanks to "lottery schemes", the interpretation of which is very wide: any game and device can belong to them. They can present both games and games that require knowledge. Each province makes its own law in this industry.
Gaming regulators
Due to the existing legal framework, the provincial government of Canada is both the operator and regulator of the gambling business. Legislative acts have many similar aspects to which they focus. include:
Lottery fees are usually set up in the provinces - for example, Western Canada Lottery Corporation, British Columbia Lottery Corporation. In others, alcohol and gambling commissions become regulators - for example, Manitoba Liqueur and Lottery Corporation.
Some provinces have referred some of their regulatory issues to the Game Policy and Enforcement Branch in British Columbia.
License conditions
There is no concept of license in Canada. Gambling is usually offered by the government through Crown corporations. The state works through the above commissions and corporations. In many provinces, lottery corporations enter into contracts with private operators to provide needed services. This contractual framework explains the concept of licenses.
Service providers work with private businesses and government regulators. They provide services, equipment, goods and products. Service providers are required to register with the provincial regulatory authorities.
Each province creates its own terms and conditions for issuing permits and contracts. For example, British Columbia offers four types of permits that differ in the amount of gambling revenue they offer. The permit is valid for up to 12 months.
Allowed types of games
Lottery schemes include various games and gaming products:
In addition to the provinces, only charities or religious organizations can offer bingo and lotteries. Charities do not offer slot machines or casino games.
Ontario legislation
The largest revenue from games comes from the province of Ontario - 35% of the total revenue structure of all provinces. The article discusses Ontario law as an illustrative example of Canadian gambling regulation.
There are three regulators in the Province of Ontario, all of which are state-owned:
The Ontario Alcohol and Gambling Commission is a provincial royal institution founded in 1998. The organization regulates alcohol, gambling and horse racing in the province. It also issues charitable lottery licenses. Prior to that, there were two regulators: the Ontario Liqueur Licensing Board and the Toy Control Commission.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is a government agency that operates land-based gambling sites and websites in the province. Prior to that, there were two gambling operators: the Ontario Casino Corporation (OCC) and the Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLC). The companies merged in 2000.
Games in the provinces are regulated by laws:
All laws have additional provisions on certain aspects of the gambling business.
Situation about the gambling business in Ontario
Government-owned companies have been providing gambling services to provincial residents since 1975. An important part of their mission is to redistribute revenue toward community goals. Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is actively changing the structure and business model, trying to follow the trends.
Ontario gamers spend $ 400 million annually on unregulated online sites. Most of the revenue comes from gaming machines - 88%. Profits are declining over time as new casinos open in Michigan, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and more. At the U.S. border.
Consequently, the provincial government pays great attention to modernizing the lottery scheme. Online casinos are opened, a responsible gaming program is created especially for the Internet space. A private gambling service provider will be selected and contracted.
Online games in the country
Canadian law does not significantly differentiate between land and online gambling businesses. Provinces offers online games as a variation of lottery schemes.
Often the so-called "legal representatives" participate in online games. Typically, this role is performed by the Royal Corporation. Thus, online gambling in Canada is a state monopoly.
In late 2014, the Quebec government released a report justifying changes to the Criminal Code regarding online gambling. The amendment to the Code should allow provinces to issue online gaming licenses to individuals. In 2016, Quebec banned access to illegal websites.
The most popular online casinos
The provinces have the highest income from the gambling business: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta. Some of the largest and most popular gaming websites in Canada are owned by these provinces. this:
All sites offer a large selection of lotteries and other games: casinos, sports betting, poker, slot machines.
Popular slot machines in the country
The most popular slot machines in Canada:
Nordic Heroes is a 5-screw, 30-pay slot from IGT. The slot has the ability to get free spins, bonus games and a progressive jackpot. As the game progresses, the user progresses through the level achievements.
Cleopatra is a 5 wheel IGT slot that has 20 payouts. The device has the ability to receive free spins with profitable multiplication.
Power Hits is a 5-screw slot machine from IGT. There is a chance to hit the progressive jackpot, opening one of three bonus games.
Wheel of Fortune is an IGT 5-screw progressive slot with 720 methods of collecting winning combinations. The bonus game allows you to win a jackpot.
Triple Diamonds is an IGT slot that has 3 screws and 9 rewards. Available in Jackpot x1199 line bets.
Result
The Canadian gambling business has been growing successfully since the 1990s, with market volume gradually increasing. In addition, Canadians spend large sums of money on online sites and casinos abroad in the neighboring United States. That is why the Canadian government is trying to modernize gaming systems in order to be competitive.
At the same time, it's one of the best programs in Canada to protect the public from the harmful effects of gambling. Therefore, the percentage of dependent players here is minimal.