It is an intriguing question why it seems like Canada is following in the footsteps of the United States in terms of legalizing online gambling, yet this is exactly what appears to be happening. Even though it’s a well-known fact that Canadians like gambling just as much as their American counterparts, the gambling sector in Canada has, for the majority of its history, been subject to many of the same limitations that have been imposed on businesses on the other side of the border.
But just as everything changed in the United States when the prohibition on betting on professional and amateur sports was abolished with the abolishment of the PASPA statute in May 2018, Canadian gamblers now experience liberty as a result of the approval of Private Members Bill C-218.
How the Game Was Affected By Bill C-218
Following the approval of Bill C-218, betting on individual sporting events across the country is now lawful. This paves the way for local bettors to now be able to wager on the outcomes of a wide variety of sporting events, including soccer, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, tennis, athletics, golf, cricket, and many more.
To answer the question of why the online casino sector in Canada appears to be following in the footsteps of the US industry, there are several explanations; however, the surge in popularity of online gambling around the world is perhaps the most significant of all of these factors. Because gamblers and others who enjoy playing online games have so many options to choose from, it seemed inevitable that Canada would follow suit.
Taking Measures to Protect Bettors
Concerns about players’ personal safety and financial integrity were another factor in the decision to legalize and regulate online gambling in Canada. One of the numerous benefits of having a market that is regulated is that governments and local authorities have a greater amount of control over the items that are made available to the residents of a country.
Gamblers that participate in online gambling in regulated markets have a number of options available to them for protection. These are the following:
The imposition of restrictions regarding deposits. This could take place on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.
A predetermined minimum amount of time must pass between each spin in slot games.
The elimination of the option for slot games to play automatically.
information regarding gambling problems that is presented in an understandable manner.
The monitoring of player accounts with the purpose of identifying warning indications of gambling addiction.
In Response To A Worldwide Example
In terms of the regulation of online gambling and sports betting, it may appear that Canada has closely followed in the footsteps of the United States; nevertheless, the reality is that these shifts have occurred on a worldwide scale.
Not only is the government following in the footsteps of its nearest neighbor, but it is also following in the footsteps of the United Kingdom, which now has one of the most highly regulated marketplaces for online gambling of any country in the world.
When you take into account that all of the gambling takes place online, the United Kingdom currently generates a gaming yield that is greater than £5.5 billion on an annual basis. This is an argument that is difficult to refute.
It is only natural for Canada to want to replicate that level of revenue, and this desire is even more understandable when one considers the consequences of the global health crisis.