How much does it cost to open an online casino
Canada is a country with a unique legal structure, famous for its tolerance of almost all branches of commerce. The gambling industry is no exception – the state not only legalizes all manifestations of gambling, but also has a special tariff scale without tax on winnings.
Obtaining a casino license in Canada
Online Casino Market specialists have prepared a detailed review of the market. We will acquaint you with the legal nuances, the classification of games for money and other features.
In our today’s article, read about how to get a casino license in Canada, how much it costs to buy it, and about the features of industry regulation at the municipal level.
History of the Canadian gaming market
The Canadian gambling industry is clearly divided into land-based and digital segments, and online gaming began to develop relatively recently.
Peculiarities of offline gambling
Attempts to ban any manifestations of gambling in the country were made back in the era of colonial conquests (1380).
If we talk about more modern legislation, then the ban on gambling was spelled out in the Criminal Code of 1892. It wasn’t until the 1900s that the government began to loosen gambling laws. For example, since 1969, bingo and lottery draws have been legalized, but were held exclusively for charitable purposes.
In 1989, the first commercial casino opened in Winnipeg. And only ten years later, the state legalized gambling at the legislative level.
Since 1999, operators have been able to open physical betting shops, slot machines and other types of land-based gaming facilities. Moreover, the permission to conduct a gambling business has been adopted at the state level, and the nuances of regulating the industry have been placed under the control of local provinces.
The rise of the online sector
The digital business is controlled by the same articles of the Criminal Code as the land-based industry. The responsibility for the game rests entirely with the organizers.
It has been possible to officially open licensed online casinos in Canada since 2009. But the government is so loyal to the market representatives that it does not provide for penalties for dealing with offshore certificates.
An interesting historical fact: in 2007, one of the most famous gambling jurisdictions in the world, Kahnawake, fell under sanctions. For illegal work in the online segment, the local regulator was fined $2 million.
The reservation paid the fine and continued to operate. There were no other sanctions from the state.
The first official online gambling club was launched in 2010 in British Columbia.
Canada online casino license is issued at the level of local provinces. Each of the regions sets its own requirements for applicants and rules for organizing startups.
The nuances of the legal regulation of the industry
The existing legislative base determined the non-linear development of the industry. For example, in some regions, you can play from the age of 18, in others only lotteries are allowed, and in others, casinos and slot machines are fully functional.
Brief overview of the gaming market in selected Canadian provinces
Ontario
Land-based and online casinos, betting shops and a land-based lottery legally operate in the province.
Digital circulations are monopolized by the state. All games for money are available to customers over 19 years old
Quebec
A casino license in Canada allows you to organize any kind of gambling entertainment in the province, including poker rooms and sweepstakes.
The minimum age limit for players is 18 years old
British Columbia
Persons over the age of 19 may legally visit:
- land-based casinos;
- sweepstakes (bets on horse racing are available);
- bingo clubs;
- slot machine halls.
Online lottery services are a local monopoly controlled by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Labrador
The age limit in the province is 19 years. The local population and foreign players can take part in betting on horse racing and lotteries. The latter are monopolized by the province
Nova Scotia
In the jurisdiction, you can legally open a casino, PPS, land-based lottery business. Digital lotteries are owned by a local monopoly.
You can take part in games for money from the age of 19
Alberta
The province issues permits for organizing all types of gambling services, including online lotteries. But casinos that operate on an ongoing basis must be registered as charitable enterprises and transfer part of the profits to programs for the country’s population.
The operator can work with local and foreign audiences over 18 years old
The Canadian provinces act as both industry regulators and license holders (state operators).
Only a few legal norms are considered common for regions, designed to ensure a safe and transparent game. These include programs to protect the public from the negative consequences of gambling, centralized control systems for responsible gambling, etc.