Entertainment is something that everybody is looking for, and one of these types of entertainment is gambling. And even though many countries condemn gambling, a majority of the world allows it, but with certain rules and regulations. One of these countries is Canada, and its ever changing Canadian gambling laws. Nonetheless, land-based gambling is a favorite form of entertainment in this country, and no one can stop it.
Canada has always been friendly with gambling, ever since its inception to the country. Now, both online and land-based gambling is allowed, but with a few rules and regulations that one must observe. So if you want to know more about gambling in Canada, read on below.
The Very First Gambling Laws in Canada
The very first law about gambling in Canada was in 1892, where the government enacted the Canadian Criminal Code. It included statutes about gambling, which were regulated under certain conditions. In 1910, the part about gambling in the Canadian Criminal Code was amended to authorize pari-mutuel betting for the different kinds of games of chance for religious and generous objectives. Over time, it became more accepted in the country as these laws were loose.
The Laws that Apply to Modern-Day Gambling
In 1970, the Criminal Code was changed again to provide management to gambling to the various provinces. The very first casino was opened in 1989 in Winnipeg, then many provinces followed. It began to crawl through Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. Aside from that, racetracks and lotteries have been widely accepted – the latter is seen as a revenue generator for charities and religious groups, as well as the government. On the other hand, the government doesn’t see illegal gambling as a real threat because it’s considered a victimless crime. It’s up to the Canadians to use responsibly.
The Authority that Regulates the Canadian Gambling Industry
The only gambling authority that currently regulates the Canadian gambling and gaming industry is the Canadian Gaming Commission. In short, they oversee the industry as a whole in the country. They offer information about gambling and respond to any serious issues that may arise. At the same time, they communicate with the government, the media, and the people to ensure that the industry is understood properly to keep things in perspective. Laws that pertain to casinos, online gambling, and other similar activities are legislated and implemented by their respective provinces.
Gambling as a Whole in Canada
Canada has gained a reputation for being friendly to gamblers, to the point where online poker players that were denied access to many international gambling sites in the US move to Canada. Canadians are given a free pass to entertain themselves, may it be with online gambling or land-based gambling. Some provinces in Canada allow gambling at 18 years old, while some wait until they turn 19. At the same time, some provinces are creating their own gambling sites to reap the revenue.