The FortRoddHill team researched the history of gambling in Canada, investigating the reasons for the turning points it went through as well as the major events that took place. Gambling was once banned in the country, but it was legalized later when an official lottery was introduced. This led to the addition of casino games, and eventually, single-event sports betting was made available in the province. With the increase in internet use, online games of chance began to emerge, which required a legal framework to define and regulate these new forms of gambling. We’ve carefully researched all these points with our casino pundits to present the history of gambling in Canada in detail.
Origin and Historical Background
Several events significantly contributed to the current gambling industry in Canada. Believe it or not, it all started with indigenous cultural customs, and things progressed with the country’s cultural development. First Nation people used to play games with dice and sticks as part of both spiritual and social activities. Years later – when European settlers arrived – new forms of gambling were brought to Canada, which would later lay the foundations for the casino industry.
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, French settlers brought to New France (now Quebec) certain cards, dice, and lottery games. By the 19th century, these games and practices had already spread among the French colonies. At that time, lotteries were the predominant form of gambling in Canadian society, with the first lottery introduced in 1800 in Newfoundland.
Looking at the history of gambling in Canada, the process seems very natural and methodic. However, we have to clarify that, at first, the regulations weren’t very strict, which allowed illegal operations to go unnoticed. This changed by the mid-19th century when the Canadian government clamped down on illegal activities related to gambling. Be that as it may, the industry was still considered non-legitimate, largely due to the moral norms of that time.
When Did Gambling Become Legal in Canada?
For the first time, gambling became officially legal in Canada during the 20th century. At first, the Canadian government wasn’t too fond of gambling activities as they were often viewed as a catalyst for social problems and a cover for organized crime. As times changed and economic pressure compounded, gambling became a much-needed source of income.
1969 is a landmark as this is when the Criminal Code of Canada became law. The bill legalized lotteries as a way for provinces to raise money. This move changed, to a large degree, the perception of gambling in Canada as it acknowledged the potential for boosting income for the state. However, at that time, lotteries were the only legal game that was allowed.
In the early 1970s, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia started government-run lotteries. That marked a turning in the history of gambling in Canada as control was finally in the hands of the government, and that was the beginning of the end for illegal and unregulated lotteries. In time, more forms of gambling emerged.
When Did the First Casino Open in Canada?
In 1979, the first legal casinos opened doors for Canadian clientele in Nova Scotia. This was also a period when individual provinces began taking a more active stance in controlling gambling. As the country’s first legal land-based gambling venue, Casino Nova Scotia was part of a broader push for the modernization of the gambling industry and a way to raise revenue for the province. For the first time, the industry was recognized as a legitimate professional field.
Initially, there was some pushback against the legalization of casinos in Nova Scotia, but soon the idea gained acceptance. The effort contributed to the local economy, and people were aware that the government enforced strict regulation standards. The success in Nova Scotia motivated other provinces to follow suit. Ontario had opened a government-run casino in Windsor, while Quebec had established its separate casino operations by the early 1990s.
Looking back at the history of gambling in Canada, it’s easy to see how the industry started growing significantly in the country in the late 1990s. British Columbia, Manitoba, Montreal, Toronto, and Alberta also opened casinos, making Canada home to a large number of upscale gambling venues.
The History of Gambling in the 2000s in Canada
The 2000s marked another important era in the Canadian history of gambling, thanks to the rapid expansion that took place. The sweeping changes included online and land-based gambling, creating opportunities and challenges for lawmakers. As there were more and more Internet users, the trend required swift action from legislators to regulate and restrict online casino sites.
It wasn’t long before Canadian provinces started launching their own online gambling platforms, the first of which was Ontario. In the 2000s, there was a push for legal online gambling, which made it a crucial time period for the establishment of control measures. The measures were aimed at online gambling sites as there needed to be clear terms under which they could operate. This brought challenges for the provinces adopting legal online gambling, such as fraud, money laundering, and lack of customer protection.
However difficult it has been, the first introduced state-regulated platforms allowed Canadians to safely engage in online gambling. This set the stage for a thriving industry in the major urban centres. By the mid-2000s, gambling in Canada was already up and running in large resorts, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centres. The big cities of Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto developed a particular appeal to gambling enthusiasts.
By that time, the gambling industry was already deeply integrated into Canada’s entertainment and tourism sectors. Ontario’s casinos Caesars, Windsor, and Casino Rama even started attracting US visitors with their gambling offerings. In British Columbia, the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond hugely boosted the local economy tourism. Casino de Montréal in Quebec – the largest in Canada – is, to this day, one of the most popular destinations in the province for dining and cultural events. All these monumental venues provided revenue and popularity for their respective provinces.
The History of Online Casinos
The history of online gambling in Canada began in 1994 when the first legal online gambling site was launched in the province of Kahnawake, located in Quebec. Kahnawake’s gaming commission issued licences for online casino operators – a move that laid the foundation for a thriving industry. The use of the Internet for betting brought revolutionary changes to the industry and laws of the country, and as technology evolved, access to online gambling expanded.
In 2000, Ontario led the charge by establishing an online platform that offers lottery games, poker, and sports betting. While this wasn’t a major move in real-cash online casino history, it was significant nonetheless. With the growing interest, the Canadian government took additional steps to ensure there’s sufficient regulation of online games of chance.
The online gambling sites run by the government adhere to strict standards for fairness, safety, and responsible gambling while also serving as revenue generators for the provinces. However, the industry did not reach this point without challenges. Offshore gambling sites pose a risk to Canadian residents, as they are not properly regulated to comply with local gambling laws and often operate outside the jurisdiction of Canadian authorities. To counteract the negative impact of playing on foreign sites, the government implemented effective measures to block these platforms. Nevertheless, the global growth of the gambling industry continues to make this an ongoing challenge.
Final Thoughts
The online gambling industry in Canada has changed significantly over the years. The way people view gambling and the laws surrounding it have evolved. The FortRoddHill experts have explored the major events that shaped what is now known as the gambling world in Canada. What began as a cultural activity has now become a modern, fully legalized industry, with dozens of casinos, online platforms, and provincial lotteries.
Despite the industry’s substantial growth and widespread acceptance, gambling remains a controversial subject, with some still viewing it negatively. The social impact and other potential negative side effects are largely addressed through responsible gambling initiatives, programs, and nationwide awareness campaigns. Today, gambling is a controlled activity in Canada, where players benefit from player protection measures and responsible gambling tools that help mitigate risks.
Why Was Gambling Invented?
In its regulated form, gambling was introduced as a means to raise revenue for Canadian provinces. However, there is evidence that gambling has deep cultural roots in Canada, long predating the arrival of European settlers.
Why Has Gambling Always Been Problematic?
Betting real money on games of chance is often associated with concerns about addiction and negative moral values and is, therefore, frowned upon by some.
When Did Gambling Become Legal In Ontario?
Gambling became legal in Ontario in 1994 with the establishment of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).