Are you curious to learn more about online gaming in regards to casinos? Many Canadian citizens enjoy this pastime and while there are indeed countless unique platforms to choose from, legality can sometimes represent an issue. Unfortunately, the associated rules and regulations can be slightly confusing at times. What sites are allowed and are there any prohibited actions that you should be aware of? How has Canada regulated this community in recent years? These are both relevant questions to address, so let us take a more transparent look at what you can expect when dealing with the online casino community.
Offshore Casinos
Some players may already be aware that the United States has largely banned offshore casinos (those located in foreign jurisdictions such as Malta and Cyprus). However, these rules do not often apply to Canada. At the time that this article was written, there were no specific regulations intended to target offshore gaming establishments. This is one of the main reasons that firms headquartered within foreign countries will often market their services to players throughout Canada. It is still important to choose a casino which offers a solid reputation that has been vetted by others in order to avoid any issues.
Domestic Licensing
So, what about domestic online casinos? This is another slight sticking point in regards to Canadian legislation. According to current laws, it is illegal for a virtual casino to offer its services to domestic customers unless it has been fully licensed. The licenses themselves are often determined by provincial rules. Here are some of the gaming authorities associated with specific regions:
- The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
- The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
- New Brunswick Gaming Control
- The Liquor and Gaming Commission of Manitoba.
It is wise to navigate to these official websites to learn more about specific rules and regulations. However, you can also choose to employ trusted third-party casino review websites. These portals describe the most popular online platforms and highlight some of the unique features of each.
What About the Kahnawake Commission?
An interesting anomaly should be mentioned before moving on. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was first established in 1996 by a number of native Indians. As this commission is located within a reservation, Canadian gaming laws do not apply. Thus, they have the legal right to regulate and approve offshore gaming establishments. We should nonetheless mention that the number of sites which have been approved by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission is somewhat limited.
What might the future of the online casino sector in Canada have in store? Could it one day be embraced as a “white market” similar to that associated with the United Kingdom? Although no one is entirely certain, it is a fact that online gaming in general has become increasingly popular throughout the nation. This is why it is reasonable to assume that further regulations will be enacted so that players can enjoy a greater sense of transparency in the coming years.
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