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Casino market in Canada grows in 2023 as more states consider legalization of igaming

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The year 2023 marked a significant turning point for the Canadian casino industry. Ontario, the country’s most populous province, took a bold step by legalizing and regulating online gambling within its borders. This decision, met with anticipation by both the public and gambling operators, has demonstrably revitalized Ontario’s casino market and sparked discussions about similar moves across Canada.

Prior to 2023, online gambling in Canada existed in a legal grey area. While federal law prohibited the operation of online casinos by domestic entities, Canadians were free to access offshore websites that were offering various virtual slot machines, table games like blackjack or roulette and sports betting. This presented a challenge for regulators. Not only were they unable to capture tax revenue from this activity, but they also lacked control over consumer protection measures and responsible gambling initiatives.

Ontario’s decision to legalize online gambling addressed these concerns head-on. The province established a regulated online gaming market, allowing licensed operators to offer casino games, sports betting, and other forms of online gambling to residents. This move not only provided a safe and secure environment for players but also opened up a new avenue for tax generation.

The impact of Ontario’s online gambling legalization has been undeniable. Since its launch in April 2023, the market has experienced explosive growth. Gross gaming revenue (GGR) from online gambling platforms has surpassed initial projections, with analysts attributing this success to a combination of factors. Firstly, the convenience and accessibility of online gambling have attracted new customers who may not have frequented traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. Secondly, the variety and innovation offered by online platforms – with their extensive game libraries, live dealer experiences, and mobile compatibility – have proven highly appealing to existing gambling enthusiasts.

The economic benefits for Ontario have been substantial. Tax revenue generated from online gambling is already exceeding estimates, providing a significant boost to provincial coffers. These funds are being directed towards various government initiatives, from infrastructure development to social programs. This tangible financial success has not gone unnoticed by other provinces across Canada.

Several provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba, are actively considering following Ontario’s lead and legalizing online gambling within their own jurisdictions. These provinces are closely monitoring Ontario’s experience, with a keen eye on the regulatory framework, tax revenue generation, and potential social impacts.

Proponents of online gambling legalization argue that the benefits extend beyond just tax revenue. A regulated market allows for stricter controls on advertising, responsible gambling measures, and player protection. Additionally, it fosters competition within the industry, potentially leading to better odds and a wider variety of games for consumers.

Opponents, however, raise concerns about potential increases in problem gambling rates and the social costs associated with it. They argue that the ease of access and anonymity offered by online platforms could exacerbate gambling addiction. Additionally, the potential for increased advertising and marketing associated with a legal online gambling market raises concerns about the normalization of gambling behavior.

Despite these concerns, the success of Ontario’s online gambling legalization has undoubtedly reignited the conversation across Canada. As other provinces weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks, it seems likely that online gambling will become a more prominent feature of the Canadian casino market in the near future. The key will be striking a balance between generating revenue, protecting consumers, and mitigating potential social harms. By learning from Ontario’s experience and implementing a robust regulatory framework, other provinces can pave the way for a safe, responsible, and prosperous online gambling market in Canada.

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The bizarre story of Taro Tsujimoto

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The National Hockey League (NHL) has seen its fair share of strange moments, but few compare to the bizarre and hilarious tale of Taro Tsujimoto, a player who never existed. His “selection” in the 1974 NHL Draft remains one of the most legendary pranks in hockey history. If you want to wager on actual players, making the 1xBet app download is definitely a great idea.

In the 1970s, the NHL Draft was a much less glamorous event than today. It was a tedious process conducted over the phone, with teams calling in their picks. The 3 biggest highlights of what happened during that year’s draft were:

  • the draft dragged on for hours;
  • there were multiple rounds and teams selecting unknown prospects from obscure leagues;
  • frustrated with the monotony, Buffalo Sabres general manager Punch Imlach decided to have a little fun.

As the 11th round approached, Imlach instructed his team’s representative to draft Taro Tsujimoto, a supposed forward from the Tokyo Katanas of the Japan Ice Hockey League. The name sounded authentic enough. The league officials, unfamiliar with Japanese hockey, accepted the pick without question. By downloading the 1xBet app you will also be able to wager on great NHL teams too.

A small problem

There was a small problem with all of this, as 2 things didn’t exist: Tsujimoto and the Tokyo Katanas. Imlach had completely fabricated the player as a joke, taking advantage of the NHL’s lack of verification. When it comes to NHL wagers, there is no better platform than the 1xBet Canada site.

For weeks, the league listed Tsujimoto as an official draft pick, and even some newspapers reported on Buffalo’s mysterious new Japanese prospect. Eventually, the Sabres admitted the hoax, and the NHL was forced to retroactively erase the selection from its records.

Despite being a fictional player, Taro Tsujimoto took on a life of his own. Buffalo Sabres fans embraced the prank, and over the years, his name has become a cult legend in hockey culture. Some fans even wore jerseys with “Tsujimoto” on the back. The joke persisted so much that when EA Sports released NHL video games, players could occasionally find Tsujimoto in the game’s draft pool as a hidden Easter egg.

More than just a prank, the story of Taro Tsujimoto highlights 2 things: the quirks of old-school sports management and the creativity of one of hockey’s most colorful executives. Today, with the draft process being highly scrutinized and broadcast live, such a prank would be impossible. But Tsujimoto’s legacy lives on as one of hockey’s greatest inside jokes. What is not a joke are the great rewards that a platform like the Canadian 1xBet site can give you.

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60% of Canadians gamble each month – why the industry is going from strength to strength

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When it comes to regulating gambling, Canada has a somewhat relaxed approach. The Canadian Gaming Association oversees the industry, but it’s up to individual provinces to enact and enforce any laws relating to online casino gaming, sports betting, traditional casino gaming, and other forms of gambling.

Canada’s online casino gaming laws are not totally clear, but individual provinces are starting to put this right. Ontario was the first and did so when it launched its own regulated igaming market in April 2022. Now some other provinces have followed suit, creating a safer igaming environment for players in those provinces. Below is a look at gambling in Canada compared to other parts of the world, at gaming laws in Alberta compared to other provinces, and at the future of the Canadian, US, and UK gambling industries.

Canada: a forever love of gambling

Gambling in some form or other has always been popular in Canada. Way back in the 1990s, research found six in ten Canadians (60%) gambled every month. Additionally, four in ten (43%) spent between 1 and 20 Canadian dollars on gambling. Fast forward to today and the Canadian gambling market is worth 14.2 billion US dollars as of January 2024, according to data on the website of consumer and market data company Statista.

It seems Canada enjoys wagering just as much as two other countries that love a gamble: the US and the UK. Data on the Statista website shows that 49% of US adults took part in gambling activities in 2023. Fifty-six percent said their attitude towards gambling had relaxed, compared to the 50% of 2019.

The UK returned similar stats for the same year. Forty-eight percent of adults reported engaging in gambling activity. Online casinos generated the most gross gambling yield in 2023, but it was the nation’s National Lottery that people played the most.

 

Alberta: following Ontario’s lead

The regulatory developments in Ontario have triggered movement in Alberta. In May 2024, Bill 16, the Red Tape Reduction Amendment Act, made it through the process and later received Royal Assent to become law. The act removes the monopoly of gaming by a single government entity and will allow private operators, licensed by Alberta’s provincial regulator, to provide online gaming services in Alberta, meaning players will have a choice of more than one Alberta online casino to play at.

The regulation transforms Alberta into one of the more liberal provinces when it comes to online gambling, others being Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Several provinces, such as Novia Scotia and Northwest Territories, have no provincially regulated online gaming sites. Some also restrict betting on horse racing and/or other types of sports betting, obliging citizens to use international betting sites for freedom from caps and betting on as many events as they wish.

What lies ahead for the Canadian, US, and UK gambling industries?

Canada’s appetite for gambling is clear, and the industry’s online sector is beginning to thrive. Ontario has enjoyed vast success by creating its own regulated market, one which, in just its first year, saw Canadians place billions in wagers and the industry itself generate more than a billion in total gaming revenue.

Canada can expect to see other provinces follow Ontario’s lead and allow private operators to provide services in the province under license. The purpose of the regulation is player protection. Any province that develops a regulated market will focus on this, so there will also be regulations around the advertising of gambling services.

The US

Gambling online is the future for the US, too, although states are slow to legalize it. As of September 2024, 38 states had legalized sports betting, following the US Supreme Court’s ruling that states could regulate sports gambling directly.

Despite allowing sports betting, some states only permit in-person betting, and only a few states allow online casino gaming. Operators believe online casino gaming is the future of gambling.

The UK

In the UK, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) will get bigger and bigger. Companies have realized AI can enhance players’ experience and are embracing it more and more. For instance, sports betting websites can use it to crunch data and provide iGamers with stats and other data to make better betting decisions. They’re also understanding they can use AI to prioritize content players are likely to be interested in and to personalize their offerings and services to players’ preferences.

Canada enjoys gambling as much as America and the UK. Although laws around igaming are more of a grey area in Canada, some provinces are clearing the issue up by creating regulated markets and experiencing great success. As time goes by, more are sure to follow.

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