Exploring Toronto’s gambling market

Toronto · Publicado el: 12 enero, 2025

When you think of gambling, most people think of Las Vegas, Reno, or Atlantic City, but the US isn’t the only place to have a thriving gambling market. Despite its much smaller population, Canada can still hold its own when it comes to providing a variety of options for gambling fans, from slots to more unusual games.

Traditionally, Canada’s gambling rules have been a little more restrictive than those in the US, with all gaming venues managed by local governments. This became harder to enforce once gambling online became a popular choice and was one of the many reasons for the legal overhaul.

The recent changes to Canada’s gambling legislation have proved that the legislature is both forward-thinking and pragmatic when it comes to regulating and overseeing gambling activity. Passed in 2024, these legal updates were designed to regulate the world of online gambling in order to ensure that Canada is a place where people can play safely, knowing that there are robust regulatory processes in place.

The first Canadian territory to put these new laws into practice was Ontario, where regulation of the online market has been designed with safety and security in mind. One area of particular concern was the way gambling could be advertised, and this has been addressed in the new legislation.

Some providers were concerned that limiting their ability to promote their services would have a negative impact on their ability to trade. However, the appeal of online gaming is such that many have been able to weather the restrictions without significant issues.

Gambling in Toronto

As Canada’s biggest city, Toronto is known as an amazing place to live, work, and visit. There are plenty of entertainment options, from galleries and museums to nightclubs and bars, but it’s also home to some of the most impressive casinos.

While the largest casino in Canada was the Montreal Casino in Quebec, the Great Canadian Casino in Toronto is definitely among the most impressive. With a choice of gaming floors, a variety of restaurants, and plenty of entertainment to choose from, the Great Canadian offers players everything they would expect from a traditional casino.

Because it only opened in 2023, everything is gleaming new and the resort has the latest mod cons and plenty of impressive features. Visitors can enjoy:

  • More than 4,800 slot machines
  • 145 table games
  • A 5000-seat live entertainment venue
  • An indoor pool
  • A 400-room hotel

Players can enjoy $5 million dollars worth of art on the walls as they make their way around the resort, but there are also plenty of sustainable features. Solar panel canopies and a green roof are the perfect way to combine classic opulence with a more responsible approach to casino design.

Online gaming in Toronto

As impressive as the land-based casinos in Toronto can be, for those who want the convenience and flexibility of gambling from home, there is good news. The latest legal changes have made some positive changes to the iGaming market, offering players enhanced protection via iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

iGaming Ontario works with government agencies to ensure that the online gambling market offers its players the best protection, a safe gaming environment, and plenty of choice. Operators must register with AGCO and have an operating agreement signed off by iGO to ensure that they adhere to their high standards for player safety and comfort.

There have also been changes to the way gambling is taxed, with new rates being set for revenue earned by online casinos. This will ensure that the province as a whole benefits from the increase in gambling activity.

The potential increase in tax payable by casinos is expected to be balanced out by an increase in traffic as a result of increased player confidence.

The future of gambling in Canada

The legal position on online casinos has been complicated by the fact that each province is covered by its own regulations. As the home of the country’s capital, it is perhaps unsurprising that Ontario has been the first province to introduce new gambling legislation, but it seems likely that others will follow shortly.

British Columbia may well be the next province to try and maximise its gambling revenue with updated legislation. Offshore providers are currently allowed to operate in BC, although they are subject to licensing and regulation to ensure that they operate in a safe and secure way.

The measures have focussed on player security and protection, with responsible gambling at the forefront of the recent changes. From account monitoring to the provision of educational resources, there are plenty of tools in place to keep players safe when playing online.

Ultimately, even the advertising restrictions could benefit players in the long run. Industry insiders predict that operators offering a wide choice of games alongside robust security measures will appeal to players without the need for advertising.

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