Examining the Forthcoming Developments in Canada's Online Casinos

Gambling in Canada has a long and rich history going as far back as the country's indigenous peoples. This history, coupled with other modern factors, is perhaps why igaming is a major industry in The Great White North. Canada has over 19.3 million active online gamblers and is ranked eighth in the world for gambling expenditure. In this article, we explore the reasons gambling in Canada is so big and what the future holds for this booming market.

The Rise of Online Gambling in Canada

Unlike other jurisdictions, legalized gambling is not new to Canada. Canadians have been able to gamble legally from as early as the 1800s when Montreal was a trading post. The Canadian Criminal Code allowed gambling under some circumstances in 1892. In 1910, changes to the legislation legalized Pari-mutuel betting, a form of gambling common in horse racing.
The 1910 laws remained largely unchanged for the next six decades. In 1970, more changes allowed all provinces the right to regulate gambling within their jurisdictions. Sports betting was then made legal in 1985, although the legislation did not include single-sport betting.

The first official casino in Canada opened its doors in 1989 in Winnipeg, followed by another location in Montreal in 1993. Other provinces followed suit, and the legal landscape remained largely unchanged until 2021 when single-sport betting was made legal.
Today, Canadians can enjoy a wide range of casino games at any Canadian online casino of their choosing. Online casinos in the country offer a wide range of gaming options, including slots, lotteries, and poker. Each province regulates gambling activities in its area.

The Future of Online Gambling in Canada

The gambling industry is a crucial part of the Canadian economy, generating significant amounts of revenue every year. In 2023, the market is worth over $15 billion and is expected to keep growing at a healthy rate. Much of this growth will be brought about by several upcoming technological, innovative, and legal developments in and around Canada's online casinos. They include:

Online Slots

Online slots are not a new development in Canada. In fact, they are the most popular online casino game in the country. Gamers are drawn to slots for their simplicity, varying themes, and potential for big wins. This allure will grow even further in the coming years as slots become more immersive.

Game developers in Canada are utilizing new and emerging technologies to make slots more engaging, complex, and immersive than ever. This includes using 3D technology to produce more life-like game elements and AI to build more extensive storylines.
We should see VR make an appearance in slot games, allowing gamers to fully immerse themselves in their gaming environments. AI and machine learning will also help make slot NPCs more intelligent so they can offer maximum interaction with players.

Social Gaming

One of the most intriguing perks of online gaming – convenience – is also one of its biggest drawbacks. Online casinos allow players to access their favourite games from anywhere, eliminating the need to travel to physical casinos. But for some players, this convenience comes at a price – human interaction.

To address this, many casinos are incorporating social features into their platforms. These include live chat options, social media sharing, community leagues, multiplayer modes, and message boards. The goal is to allow players to interact with each other, even from miles away.

A key development that could push social gaming further is the Metaverse. Game developers are keen to harness the power of VR and streaming technology to help players access virtual casinos from anywhere in the world. Players with headsets and the needed gear could log onto a casino, enter a virtual space, sit at a poker table with other players, and enjoy an evening of table games. This could revolutionize the entire online gaming format.

Responsible Gambling

Left unchecked, online gambling can become a problem. This is why legislators and online casino providers are focusing more attention on responsible gambling. There are multiple legislations in play to regulate how online casinos advertise themselves. Providers have also deliberately moved to implement measures that promote responsible gaming, such as age restrictions.

Arguably, the most notable development in this area will be more self-regulatory resources for online gamblers. Both legislators and providers will create frameworks and programs that help gamers self-exclude from online platforms, set deposit limits, and access support for problem gambling.

Crypto Gaming Environments

Crypto games and casinos are already available in the Canadian market but remain a niche offering. Moving forward, we will see them become more popular, especially as players tap into the security, transparency, anonymity, and speed blockchain offers.
Beyond transactions, game developers and other stakeholders are using blockchain-based NFTs to produce in-game assets. These assets are transferable across games on the same blockchain and can be used to trade on digital marketplaces. As virtual worlds like the Metaverse become more of a reality, we will see wider applications of blockchain and cryptography in gaming.

Personalized Experiences

Ai continues to have wide and significant applications in the country's online casinos. More recently, providers have started using AI to analyze user data, create user profiles, and personalize gambling experiences. Players receive targeted notifications, bonuses, and advertisements that meet their player needs. For instance, if a player enjoys poker games, AI allows online casinos to display poker tournaments and news more prominently on their home page.

Soon, AI will take personalization to higher and unrealized levels. Stakeholders are looking forward to payment automation, including in online deposits and withdrawals based on user spending behavior. AI will also help players enjoy more immersive experiences through interactive NPCs, autoplay, and more.

Streaming

Streaming technology is the force behind esports, and we could see this trend enter the igaming industry. Online audiences have proven that there is a ready market for gaming videos, including tutorials, competitions, and strategy guides. As streaming technology continues to permeate the industry, we could see the advent of a new form of entertainment where players can stream themselves playing casino games like poker and blackjack.

Wrapping Up

The online gambling industry is growing at a staggering rate, both in Canada and across different countries. Virtual casinos offer more opportunities for immersion and flexibility than physical casinos, especially in Canada, where not everyone can easily access a brick-and-mortar casino. As technology evolves, the Canadian igaming industry will continue to grow to reach more people, offer more gaming options, personalize gaming experiences, and become more interactive.

- B.E. Delmer, Gambling911.com